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Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley's Best Kept Secret
This is an updated edition of ISBN10: 1619615312 (ISBN13: 9781619615311).
In Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley's Best Kept Secret, growth consultants Raymond Fong and Chad Riddersen deconstruct the phenomenon used by Silicon Valley's fast growing tech elite, growth hacking. Raymond and Chad's framework, the ASP(TM), is an easy to understand blueprint that empowers any business to apply growth hacking. The ASP(TM) was developed through their work in the tech community and used to produce high-leverage, scalable growth for companies in a variety of industries including several companies featured on ABC's TV show Shark Tank. If you're looking for creative, cost-effective ways to grow your business, then ASP(TM) is the answer.
In Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley's Best Kept Secret, growth consultants Raymond Fong and Chad Riddersen deconstruct the phenomenon used by Silicon Valley's fast growing tech elite, growth hacking. Raymond and Chad's framework, the ASP(TM), is an easy to understand blueprint that empowers any business to apply growth hacking. The ASP(TM) was developed through their work in the tech community and used to produce high-leverage, scalable growth for companies in a variety of industries including several companies featured on ABC's TV show Shark Tank. If you're looking for creative, cost-effective ways to grow your business, then ASP(TM) is the answer.
204 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Raymond Fong
2 books3 followersRaymond Fong acquired his undergraduate degree in engineering from Harvey Mudd College. While working in the aerospace industry as a systems engineer on top-secret government projects, he obtained his graduate degree in computer engineering from the University of Southern California. After five years in engineering, Raymond discovered his passion lay in marketing and consulting. He went on to establish himself as a recognized expert in the digital marketing arena. Since 2005, he has coached, mentored, and trained tens of thousands of business owners around the world on the intricacies of entrepreneurship and marketing.
He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA and consults as a growth hacker for a wide spectrum of businesses.He may be reached at https://raymondfong.net
He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA and consults as a growth hacker for a wide spectrum of businesses.He may be reached at https://raymondfong.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 20, 2017
Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley's Best Kept Secret by Raymond Fong and Chad Ridderson is filled with tons of useful information for any business owner looking to grow their business. The book is well structured around the six aspects of ASP, or the Automated Selling Process. With plenty of anecdotes to make a point, and clear and concise writing, this is an easy read that will help to bolster sales. One of the best examples of creative thinking to jump start sales, is the Dollar Shave Club and how they used a YouTube video to create demand. Perhaps it was a little luck, but it worked and worked well. While marketing may have different pipelines now, the basic principles haven't changed; you must spend money in order to make money. Marketing is key to growing a business and to being successful. This book is chock full of actionable steps to take in order to not only expand business and customers, but keep them coming back. A must read for any business owner. Highly recommend.
May 24, 2017
Chad and Raymond compiled and organized the key marketing techniques that this generation is adopting, then they tech pressed the details into a usable formula that allows them to shed light on effective ways for growth hacking in a company. This allows a company to compel clients to their websites and with referral plans, generate free advertisement by way of mouth.
Essentially, growth hacking is mentally adopting and executing skills that will help you think through the wall you keep hitting your head on, and help you move forward in your business. People understand that there is a competitive price, job, or quality to everything available, and Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley’s Best Kept Secret teaches you to market yourself so you qualify to enter this hyper market.
What I liked best about this book? Of course, I had to look up the company Chad worked with and watch their videos, Dollar Shave Club. This is more than an instructive “how-to-do” book, but they give multiple illustrations that demonstrates that their principles can and do work.
Essentially, growth hacking is mentally adopting and executing skills that will help you think through the wall you keep hitting your head on, and help you move forward in your business. People understand that there is a competitive price, job, or quality to everything available, and Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley’s Best Kept Secret teaches you to market yourself so you qualify to enter this hyper market.
What I liked best about this book? Of course, I had to look up the company Chad worked with and watch their videos, Dollar Shave Club. This is more than an instructive “how-to-do” book, but they give multiple illustrations that demonstrates that their principles can and do work.
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January 13, 2018Interesting and helpful information on marketing and finding ways to increase your sales and growth. A good introduction to growth hacking that will get you thinking.
February 1, 2021
Good high-level overview for running (digital) business. Wish there was more details in Growth tactics though.
December 4, 2017
Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley's Best Kept Secret is a self-help kind of book written by an expert in growth consulting, Mr. Raymond Fong.
Fong, together with Chad Riddersen succeeded in writing what will appear to be a fantastic book about what it takes to truly be successful in job, regardless of what type and “kind’’ of job someone is doing.
Even though at first this book may seem as a perfect literature for all those who want to make a “big buck’’ for a short period of time, that is not the case. If we go a little deeper into the book, we will able to see the “true’’ purpose of it: it is not answering on the question how to be rich, it is answering on the question what it takes to be truly successful.
How can anyone and everyone, regardless of what type of job they are doing, can reach true success in their jobs? The answer on that question lies into knowing how to be smart. When it comes to business, being smart refers to two important things: first is how to, properly and in the best possible way know how to invest all available resources, such as money, time, etc. Second refers to always finding new and exciting ways and solutions. Thus, Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley's Best Kept Secret is a fantastic book for all people who want to start their own business or who already run their business, but struggle and do not know how to proceed towards that something that every businessman wants to reach: success. Therefore, I give this book 4.5 out of five. Great job!
Fong, together with Chad Riddersen succeeded in writing what will appear to be a fantastic book about what it takes to truly be successful in job, regardless of what type and “kind’’ of job someone is doing.
Even though at first this book may seem as a perfect literature for all those who want to make a “big buck’’ for a short period of time, that is not the case. If we go a little deeper into the book, we will able to see the “true’’ purpose of it: it is not answering on the question how to be rich, it is answering on the question what it takes to be truly successful.
How can anyone and everyone, regardless of what type of job they are doing, can reach true success in their jobs? The answer on that question lies into knowing how to be smart. When it comes to business, being smart refers to two important things: first is how to, properly and in the best possible way know how to invest all available resources, such as money, time, etc. Second refers to always finding new and exciting ways and solutions. Thus, Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley's Best Kept Secret is a fantastic book for all people who want to start their own business or who already run their business, but struggle and do not know how to proceed towards that something that every businessman wants to reach: success. Therefore, I give this book 4.5 out of five. Great job!
January 16, 2019
Anyone can appreciate a how to guide written by an author who is an expert in the focused field. With Growth Hacking you get double the pleasure. Raymond Fong and Chad Ridderson are two highly skilled authorities on business and marketing. Together they bring the everyday business owner a unique technique for growing an enterprise from nearly dead to astounding profits called growth hacking using an Automated Sales Process, or ASP as it's referred to throughout the book.
Written in layman's terms, the average person who hasn't spent their career in Silicone Valley can easily comprehend and execute the game plan that is growth hacking. Informational illustrations throughout provide diagrams to emphasize important points and tidbits of information seemingly intended to encourage individuality and a sense of enthusiasm in the reader. Ending with the notion that success is a process and not a destination, this guidebook is one every business owner who wants to take his or her business to the next level should have on hand.
Written in layman's terms, the average person who hasn't spent their career in Silicone Valley can easily comprehend and execute the game plan that is growth hacking. Informational illustrations throughout provide diagrams to emphasize important points and tidbits of information seemingly intended to encourage individuality and a sense of enthusiasm in the reader. Ending with the notion that success is a process and not a destination, this guidebook is one every business owner who wants to take his or her business to the next level should have on hand.
January 24, 2019
I own my own business and I feel stuck because it is not moving at the pace, I would like it to. So, I searched Kindle looking for a book that would help me to supercharge my business and I found Growth Hacking. I found it extremely valuable, there were some really valid points made. What stuck out to me was where he stated that the only businesses moving forward today and in the future are those that are forward thinking. In other words you have to see beyond what is happening in the world at the moment and focus on what is going to happen tomorrow. That is the only way you are going to succeed as a business. You may be the most successful company in the world for five years, but in the sixth year, your business goes bust because you didn’t anticipate what was coming. You only have to look at companies like Blockbuster to know that this is possible.
If you want to know how to market your business effectively and stay in the game for the long haul, this is definitely a book you need to read.
If you want to know how to market your business effectively and stay in the game for the long haul, this is definitely a book you need to read.
March 20, 2019
I believe their understanding of Growth Hacking is too narrow, this is great for starting to understanding the customer journey and looking at growth in your marketing function.
They identify a problem of entrepreneurs balancing time vs money but the book does not offer any management or team building solutions to solve this problem. It feels to be a short term fix and not building the solid business foundations for long term success.
Their ASP system does not address fundamental business foundations like purpose, core values and culture.
Pros
- Good for online entrepreneurs who need a system for their marketing
- Introduces a customer first perspective and lifetime value
- Good suggestions around the use of referral systems
Cons
- Not broad enough to ensure the business can truly enjoy long term growth
- Focuses on short term fixes over long term success
- Basic in its depth on all topics
- Their template / system only covers part of running a successful business
They identify a problem of entrepreneurs balancing time vs money but the book does not offer any management or team building solutions to solve this problem. It feels to be a short term fix and not building the solid business foundations for long term success.
Their ASP system does not address fundamental business foundations like purpose, core values and culture.
Pros
- Good for online entrepreneurs who need a system for their marketing
- Introduces a customer first perspective and lifetime value
- Good suggestions around the use of referral systems
Cons
- Not broad enough to ensure the business can truly enjoy long term growth
- Focuses on short term fixes over long term success
- Basic in its depth on all topics
- Their template / system only covers part of running a successful business
December 8, 2017
This book by Raymond Fong and Chad Riddersen tells of the great growth hacking secrets Silicon Valley has and how you can use them to advance your business. In this book they write about their unique system ASP (Automated Sales Process) which is intended to help instantly grow sales.
Inside you’ll find plenty of helpful information along with some intriguing questions and quotes you can ponder on to help you learn more about this topic.
If you’re someone who’s into business and marketing and is curious as to how to grow your company, this book is something you’ll definitely want to check out. While it’s mainly written for those who have somewhat of an idea of marketing, it’s still good for those who aren’t necessarily that knowledgeable in the topic. This book can help you to grow and learn in this field which can help with many different aspects of any business dealings you’re doing.
Inside you’ll find plenty of helpful information along with some intriguing questions and quotes you can ponder on to help you learn more about this topic.
If you’re someone who’s into business and marketing and is curious as to how to grow your company, this book is something you’ll definitely want to check out. While it’s mainly written for those who have somewhat of an idea of marketing, it’s still good for those who aren’t necessarily that knowledgeable in the topic. This book can help you to grow and learn in this field which can help with many different aspects of any business dealings you’re doing.
January 20, 2019
First and foremost, the book answers the questions: What is growth hacking and why should I care to know about it? Written by Raymond Fond and Chad Riddersen, the two authors attempt (and achieve) to explain how silicon valley uses growth hacking to grow businesses easily and steadily. With the explanations laid out here, you can take this information and apply it to your own business to start fostering growth through all aspects of your business, sales, logistics, and so on.
Even though the book was easy to read, I feel that some parts are a bit hard to understand in their application to an business. I think someone with a little more knowledge than I as a lackey might be able to get more out of this book. Not a bad thing, just not a good book for me personally I think right now. I might revisit it in a few months or so once my business picks up a little steam and I look to expand.
Even though the book was easy to read, I feel that some parts are a bit hard to understand in their application to an business. I think someone with a little more knowledge than I as a lackey might be able to get more out of this book. Not a bad thing, just not a good book for me personally I think right now. I might revisit it in a few months or so once my business picks up a little steam and I look to expand.
February 2, 2019
Growth Hacking: Silicon Valley's Best Kept Secret by Raymond Fong & Chad Ridderson is an interesting and easy to understand reference book for business owners as well as people looking at starting their own business.
I'm neither a business owner or looking at starting my own company but I have friends that are and thought this might be an interesting read.
Chad and Raymond talk the reader through how to grow their business quickly even if they have limited resources. They explain how to identify opportunities in a way that's understandable. There isn't just one topic, they concentrate on, but several areas that will help people's business grow in both sales and in advertising. They explain about how to introduce customers to your website. Although I said I'm not a company owner I am a freelance photographer and found that some of what they spoke about could be related to getting interest for my website.
A interesting insight, worth a read for sure.
I'm neither a business owner or looking at starting my own company but I have friends that are and thought this might be an interesting read.
Chad and Raymond talk the reader through how to grow their business quickly even if they have limited resources. They explain how to identify opportunities in a way that's understandable. There isn't just one topic, they concentrate on, but several areas that will help people's business grow in both sales and in advertising. They explain about how to introduce customers to your website. Although I said I'm not a company owner I am a freelance photographer and found that some of what they spoke about could be related to getting interest for my website.
A interesting insight, worth a read for sure.
January 22, 2019
This book covers pretty much everything there is about how to focus your company on growth.
It’s straight to the point and there’s no “filler” motivational rubbish in there like some other business books. Instead, it teaches the reader how best to use their time so that they are being as productive as they can be.
I won’t list everything it teaches here as the amount of useful stuff in there is just vast but it basically covers how to build and grow a business reliably with very minimal risk and very reasonable potential profit margins. In a very basic sense, it is to follow the current industry leaders in a very real-time way. Watch what those who succeed are doing and copy them immediately.
It’s straight to the point and there’s no “filler” motivational rubbish in there like some other business books. Instead, it teaches the reader how best to use their time so that they are being as productive as they can be.
I won’t list everything it teaches here as the amount of useful stuff in there is just vast but it basically covers how to build and grow a business reliably with very minimal risk and very reasonable potential profit margins. In a very basic sense, it is to follow the current industry leaders in a very real-time way. Watch what those who succeed are doing and copy them immediately.
February 5, 2019
In simple terms, the book does exactly with the content what it says on the cover - it was a content or words hack. While, there are some thought starters which are helpful by virtue of developing a mindset which is more important than the ASP framework. The growth mindset is basically the main premise of the book which serves as the compass to success. The real value of this book comes in hiccups through the pages as it ultimately falters into the philosophical mode now and then. The segment of the 'Why that makes you cry' was quite interesting, which again like some of the things established in the initial chapters were repeated. All in all a fine read, that could have been summarised in half the number of pages it currently took to convey the sales pitch.
December 2, 2017
I really enjoy and appreciate books written by people that have 'been there done that" and have had success. "Growth Hacking" is created by two authors of the Dollar Shave Club business, which started with simple videos on YouTube and has expanded into a multi-million dollar enterprise. The success story is but a bonus to the information found in the book. Here, the two authors share their knowledge and how-to's on the Automated Selling Process, and how anyone looking to expand their business or products can utilize this to grow. There are some excellent marketing principles provided and the steps needed to reach new customers as well as retain them.
October 12, 2020
I really wanted to like this book to get the "secrets of Growth Hacking". The first few chapters had me excited and ready to revitalize business as I knew it.
Then it started describing the plan, and it was basically to setup Internet Marketing, client relations and streamline your processes. All basic fundamental things modern businesses should already be doing.
Nothing groundbreaking, a couple good lines, but this book was basic. Its like shooting free throws. They are key to success and must be practiced, but not always given the attention they need. This was a quick, short, read that helped me work on free throws.
Then it started describing the plan, and it was basically to setup Internet Marketing, client relations and streamline your processes. All basic fundamental things modern businesses should already be doing.
Nothing groundbreaking, a couple good lines, but this book was basic. Its like shooting free throws. They are key to success and must be practiced, but not always given the attention they need. This was a quick, short, read that helped me work on free throws.
September 27, 2021
Like most business books, the authors attempt to simplify a complex world into a simple model. If you are just starting out in digital marketing, I can very much recommend this book to grasp basic concepts and give your project a solid structure for your ideas and workflow. If you know something about performance marketing, website conversion rate optimisation, email marketing or similar, then this is a nice refresher you can read in 3 hours. Also, this book is from 2016. Hence, it is slightly outdated in today's fast moving digital world. E.g. the tips it gives you to explore your customer persona on Facebook Audience Insights, no longer work with Apple iOS14 updates.
October 7, 2020
Growth Hacking ist ein faszinierendes Thema, welches vorrangig bei Apps und SaaS Anwendung findet. Die Autoren dieses Buches haben es geschafft, einen Prozess zu kreieren - und diesen anschaulich und verständlich zu vermitteln - der Growth Hacking Techniken auch auf völlig andere Branchen übertragt. Das hat mir echt super gefallen, so konnte man aus dem Buch direkt mehrere konkrete Beispiele mitnehmen, die man umsetzen kann. Das hat mir bspw. bei „Hacking Growth“ von Sean Ellis ein wenig gefehlt.
July 17, 2022
A heathy compilation of examples on how small adjustments can nudge customer demand higher. I am not in the high technology world, but these examples can be ported into the work of any mid-level managers toolbox. In my current role I am dealing in mergers and acquisitions and the simple step of adjusting our email signature like Hotmail did in the 1990s has application. It will be added to our continuing improvement register on Monday and let’s see if a small change can provide exponential growth.
December 9, 2017
It's a great book and I am so glad I discovered it just as I am about to take the business with my partners to the next level. Yes, we are all focused on growing the business, and yes, we won't stop at nothing, bur our funds are very limited. This is exactly where this book was able to share some very useful information. In other words, it taught me to try to make the most out of what I have. So, no more excuses! I can't wait to see where this takes us.
November 16, 2020
Short and sweet as other growth hacking books, like Traction, the authors present quick tactics used by the tech community and used to produce high-leverage, scalable growth for companies in a variety of industries including several companies featured on Shark Tank. The book is worth by its examples, that amplify the case studies literature with examples from the 90s, which is good to argue with people that present it as a new topic/buzzword.
September 9, 2018
Ho-hum. This seemed more like a book written to tweet about than to inform the reader. Pros: some good examples, summaries of each chapter that I just flipped to and read for last few chapters, Sales framework graphics. Cons: full page interruptions for a tweetable sound bite, basics about the Sales funnel, cliched writing.
October 23, 2020
This was a basic manual for new entrepreneurs to understand the necessary process for a business to thrive. The Automated Sales Process highlights the marketing aspect but marketing alone does not guarantee the prosperity of a business. Either way the ASP maximizing each step according to Chad & Raymond, your business should be successful. Good read just that the information was not top secret.
November 19, 2017
Cons: nothing new, too few cases (no even ones from Dollar Shave Club, although, one of the authors worked there), the far-fetched irrelevant title ("Best Kept Secret"?, c'mon!)
Pros: everything essential for organizing sales, collected in one place
Pros: everything essential for organizing sales, collected in one place
February 4, 2018
The authors provided a strong framework to work from and some good guidance to building a growth hacking strategy.
Although not very detailed the book is brilliant for anyone wanting to understand growth hacking.
Although not very detailed the book is brilliant for anyone wanting to understand growth hacking.
October 6, 2021
The book provides the automated sales process ("ASP") to help companies achieve growth hacking. It is very helpful to have this framework in mind when assessing the businesses and building growth strategies.
February 15, 2018
Riktigt bra. Gäller att implementera det också.
March 1, 2018
Very enlightening book. This is the most precise explanation of Growth Hacking I've encountered and the ASP Framework is a gift.
July 13, 2019
Introductory. Can be done in one sitting (and revisited for notes).
January 2, 2021
Buy it, read it, keep it!
Great book. Definitely buying the hard copy to keep it on my shelf and always have it on hand. Interesting success stories and great pointers.
Great book. Definitely buying the hard copy to keep it on my shelf and always have it on hand. Interesting success stories and great pointers.
March 27, 2022
A must-read for all business marketers and founders! If you have a strong knowledge of digital marketing, this book will really propel you to the next way of thinking— like a growth hacker!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews