A few years ago, I started something simple—taking pictures and leaving Google reviews. Restaurants, museums, gardens, you name it. I didn't think much of it at first, but now I'm almost a Level 7 reviewer with 3.8 million views.
One picture I took of a local pizza place? 200,000 views. The lesson? When you hit a tipping point, these things take off exponentially.
For small businesses like ours—and so many of yours—this is our lifeline. When you post a review of one of our authors on Amazon or Goodreads, you're changing the world for them. When you refer me to an organization to speak, which spins off into several other referrals and repeat engagements, you're blessing the Tremendous legacy with the resources it needs to carry on Dad's mission.
The 250 Connection Principle
One of my favorite authors, dear friend, and longtime supporter, Bob Burg, wrote a book titled Endless Referrals. In Chapter 1, he references Joe Girard's Law of 250—the principle that every person has about 250 connections who would show up to significant life events. Bob's advice? Go to those who know, like, and trust you and ask them: "Who's in your orbit that I need to know?"
This is organic growth. It's the truest form of growth—person to person, word of mouth, worth more than gold.
Touch Points Trump Technology
I'm currently coaching one of our children's authors on marketing her beautiful book for the holidays. She has a wonderful list of people who love her, and we needed to engage them. Not through ad words or fancy sales funnels—through personal connection. Why? Because the research is clear: Email converts to book sales 42x better than social media for authors.
Here's what happened: She sent a personal email to her list asking for Amazon reviews. In just a few weeks, she went from 24 reviews to 49 reviews. That's more than doubled! And every single one of those reviews makes her book more visible, more credible, and more likely to reach the families who need it.
It's the same principle Dad lived by. He sold tens of millions of books because he stood on stage, held a book in his hands, kissed it, and told everyone how it changed his life. Not through algorithms—through authentic enthusiasm and human touch points. The lure is always to buy ad words, build a sales funnel, create a new website—but that's not it. I love tech, but it's the touch points that make the sale.
Authentic recommendations cut through all the noise. So much marketing out there is inaccurate or, in some cases, blatant fraud. Your voice helps others know what is real, true, and good.
Three Simple Actions That Change Everything
- Take the time to leave those reviews. They are priceless. Whether it's for a book, a restaurant, or a service provider, your words matter.
- Take the time to make a referral. Whether it's a real estate agent, an event space, or a speaker—connect people to excellence.
- Help others cut through the noise. Be the beacon that guides others to what's genuine. Help that small restaurant get noticed. Help the new author bring her beautiful book to those who need it.
Standing on Tremendous Shoulders
I am here because those who knew, liked, and loved Charlie "Tremendous" Jones now know, like, and love me. Our 60th anniversary this year is proof positive of that enduring legacy. The world needs our Tremendous insights on the tremendous people to meet and tremendous books to read more now than ever.
And you know what? This principle is why the Bible remains the best-selling book in the world. It's passed hand to hand and heart to heart. That's pure Holy Spirit marketing—the best in the universe!
The Power of Repeats
And speaking of legacy—let me give a huge shout-out to our repeat customers who have been with us over the decades. You order books year after year because you know the quality and impact they deliver. To the organizations that have hired me repeatedly to speak and train your teams, you are the foundation of sustainable business. To the authors who have published multiple books with us—you trusted us once, and you came back because we delivered.
That's the "Repeats" in our formula. When someone comes back again and again, that's not just a transaction—that's a relationship. That's trust earned and kept. You are living proof that excellence creates loyalty, and loyalty creates longevity.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Before I close, I need to say this: Thank you.
Thank you to everyone who has referred me for a speaking engagement. Thank you to those who have recommended one of our authors to a friend. Thank you for buying a book and telling someone else about it. Thank you for sharing a post, leaving a review, or making an introduction.
You have no idea how far your simple act of generosity ripples out. That referral you made last month? It led to three more speaking engagements. That review you left on Amazon? Someone bought that book because of your words, and it changed their life. That post you shared? It reached someone who desperately needed that message.
You are the reason Tremendous Leadership has thrived for 60 years. You are the reason our authors' messages reach the people who need them most. You are living proof that word-of-mouth, hand-to-hand, heart-to-heart marketing is the most powerful force in business.
So from the bottom of my heart: Thank you for being in my corner. Thank you for being that beacon. Thank you for carrying on Dad's legacy with me.
Your Assignment: Start Where You Are
Many of us are at a stage of life where we're still inventing ourselves and serving in new ways. It's daunting to consider: "How am I going to market this new 'me'?"
Here's the answer: Use those who are already in your corner. You don't need a massive platform or a marketing budget. You need the people who already know, like, and trust you to open doors to their 250 connections.
And here's the flip side: Be ultra-aware that when you love someone or find a service valuable, let the whole world know! That review you leave, that referral you make, that introduction you facilitate—you're not just being nice. You're changing someone's trajectory. You're building their business. You're extending their reach exponentially.
Be that person who makes the connection. Be the one who leaves the review. Be the voice that refers, reviews, and repeats excellence. In doing so, you're not just building businesses—you're building legacy.
Now go make someone's day with a review, a referral, or a connection. The world is waiting for your recommendation.
