The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

A decent book

Right, just to make this clear, I wasn't listening exclusively to this, I was listening to it while playing poker, so my opinion can't be trusted completely, but I was sufficiently taken with the 'book' to write a review.

It's quite short, well read and doesn't spend time labouring over insignificant details. There's nothing ground breaking in this book and the majority of it's content is based on branding and the principle of being the first to market, the first into the customers mind and therefore becoming 'The Brand' by default.

There's a lot small businesses can take from this and, although almost a cliche in marketing circles, they make some very valid points as to why 'micro niching' is better than being all things to all people.

They use many examples (in American big business) where they show a company starts with a very specific market and business, then expands only to lose what made them big in the first place and ultimately fall apart.

To summarise, short, concise, well read, sufficiently engrossing and I expect to listen to this repeatedly. I didn't give it 5 because I don't feel many who are involved in marketing will find anything particularly new.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Brilliant!

Truth backed by empirical evidence. Succinct, with all the laws backed up with well-known examples to illustrate.

Very outdated

Perhaps useful when it was released but I don't see why Audible are still selling this.

outdated and unsubstantiated

The authors provide very little empirical evidence for their laws. each law is "affirmed" by 1-3 stories about companies that adhered or stayed from the "law" and the inevitable outcome. For instance, the first law cites companies such as Jeep as being successful because they were first. I could easily think of many companies who became #1 because of their product, not timing. e.g. Google.

Furthermore, if I were to believe the authors were marketing gurus and take their advice at face value, some predictions they make, for instance MCI overtaking IBM, erode any confidence I have in them.

Most laws are uninspiring and sometimes contradict each other. for instance, law #3 directly contradicts #1 ("it is not important to be first, as much as it is important to be perceived as the first")

Some of the examples, such as Trump and New Coke, are repeated multiple times. Is it that hard for the authors to substantiate their laws using a variety of examples?

Finally, the examples from the book are all from early 90's and quite outdated.

Great information, but a little dry

Would you listen to The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing again? Why?

Really, really useful information in here, the laws are very true and very clearly defined, however the tone of both authors who are reading the book can be a little monotonous, and therefore a little hard going. Being a short listen its not too much of a problem

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

A little more vocal variety.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Its all really good information

Any additional comments?

Its a really good short book, it was very useful for me to have a look at the rules as they were describing them, I found on a good search some fantastic mind maps of the rules. Would be fantastic if this could be included with the purchase of the audible book. as a downloadable PDF.

Marketing in a nutshell

This is a really quick and easy listen, possible to get through in a single sitting.

The content discussed is invaluable for any business person, not just the marketer.

Vital for everyone in business

What about Al Ries and Jack Trout ’s performance did you like?

Straightforwrd - albeit American - delivery

Any additional comments?

Gives you the reality of getting your marketing messages out there. Where to focus, what works and importantly, what doesn't.

Great Laws

Really enjoy this book have listened multiple times and have put some into practise and it is surprising how effective they can be. I did however read Tim Ferriss first and it led me to this audible book! Be prepared to reflect on your current ways of doing things and look to improve your marketing with the use of this book! A must listen/read