I recall one interview (will look for link) where Gary was asked if he would have followed someone like himself when he was getting started. I remember his answer to be a definite "no". He explained that he was and remains too busy with his business to follow other business gurus. Of course, after hearing this I realized my folly. For me he remains inspiring and charismatic even if his content is (self-admitted) unnecessary for business success.

^This - It is totally true. Lately he has talked a lot about people asking him for permission. They are basically looking for someone to come along and kick them in the arse and tell them to get to work. I used to consume almost everything he put out, but any more I've heard most of what I need from him. I'm in "do" mode now, so not much time for it. Most content is just background noise while I work these days.

He makes exactly one good point, and then repeats it incessantly: there's a tendency amongst entrepreneurs to do too much planning and not enough execution.

His practical advice to "document rather than create" is a good synthesis of a solution, I think.

Everything else beyond that is just pep-talk.

"document rather than create"

what does this mean?

Document your journey and be yourself rather than trying to create story lines and a "persona".

Gary Vee Quote: "In very simple terms, “documenting” versus “creating” is what The Real World and the Kardashians is to Star Wars and Friends. And don’t get confused—just because you’re “documenting” doesn’t mean you’re not creating content. It’s just a version of creating that is predicated more on practicality instead of having to think of stories or fantasy—something that’s very hard for most people (including myself)." - https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/creating-content-that-builds-...

To add to your explanation: part of the idea is that you should be outputting a lot of product. The twist is that you don't have to be the one who creates it.

The example he gives (for vloggers) is to do a lot of collaboration projects in which you host others on your site. I think one can find analogues in other business models without too much difficulty.

I like some of his stuff. He has some good energy. The comments about unhealthy life habits are spot on. I am glad it works for him. It's a data set of one from which he is extracting a rule of law. And then shouts down haters. Which is fine, just know what you are getting into when you sign up for his content.

He's an endless supply of self promotion, and his brand and product is him. He's built a big agency, and a lot of that has to do with the energy he has put into his grind. However, when I hear that he puts family first, but then suggest people work as much as he suggests - it's just not realistic.

When my kids go to bed, I want to spend time with my wife, not my laptop.

His energy is infectious, but his most recent foray into Medium of posting emails to him about how awesome he is feels entirely too self promotional for my tastes.

Another poster pointed out that his uber point of "just start" is spot on. Stop analyzing. Learn from doing. Stop making excuses.

I'm reading the new Brad Stone book, and if you want a great example of got-it-wrong-a-bunch-before-a-big-win, look no further than Travis Kalanick. Build skills and learn. Even if you fail a bunch, if you work hard and learn, you are adding value to your life and what you can offer.

I miss Wine Library TV.

I thought Crush It was a good book for when it was released but didn't enjoy Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook as much. That felt like a couple of pages of content that was forced into book form.

I would recommend Getting Real by 37 Signals over either of those books though.

Social Media Guru aka hype monkey

Gary Vaynerchuck is very good at marketing himself.

He's master at it, see Apple show "Planet of the Apps".

Promotes a horrible kind of Entrepreneurship that will damage employees lives. He seems content and driven and good at what he does, but boasts about it too much. He walks the walk, but also damn sure spends a lot of time on talking the talk too. Personally dislike his content, but impressed by what he does / has done.