I just finished the book Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust by Julien Smith and Chris Brogan. It is not being released until August 24, but I was able to get my paws on an advance copy last week at Affiliate Summit East 2009.

I’ve got to tell you… I loved Trust Agents.

While Julien and Chris were at Affiliate Summit, they had a book signing. And while I did go to the book signing, I ended up leaving my copy of Trust Agents in my hotel room. That was an exercise in fail.

But I got some pictures of the action, and lots of other people have signed copies of the future best seller. Foiled again!

Anyhow, it’s a quick read with lots of gems in there about leveraging social networks and social media overall, increasing your sphere of influence, and that sort of thing.

It’s a step by step guide on how to do it all. And I know – you’re as cynical as me. There are a lot of books that promise to teach you how to do it.

But they’re typically by pretenders. People that pretend to do and know the stuff that Brogan and Smith have experienced themselves.

Long story short – read Trust Agents. If you were lucky enough to snag a copy at Affiliate Summit, just reach into your still unpacked bag from the show. Otherwise, it’s available online and soon in your local store.

When Chris and Julien spoke at Affiliate Summit, they shared a topline view of the book with the crowd.

Check out their presentation: attention wars and the rise of the TRUST AGENT.

The presentation was a good primer, maybe even a study guide for the book. But it’s heavy on images, so you’re not going to get all of the concepts by the slides alone. In the very near future, I’ll be posting video of the who keynote (soon as I get it from our production company).

If you happen to be in the position where you have a need for a bulk order of Trust Agents, I just saw a post on Chris Brogan’s blog with a unique opportunity where you can get him to come to your office.

I’ll limit this to five total offers and you’ll have to show a screen cap of the confirmed order to prove it: If you purchase 200 copies of Trust Agents, I’ll fly out and spend a half day with your organization for free. I’ll let you know right now that my consulting rate is far more than the price of 200 books, so it’s a pretty darned good deal, so this might be the chance for a two-fer. You can give your group some books, and you can get specific consultation about how your organization can use online tools to be human at a distance and deliver business value.

Either way, I’d highly recommend the book, and I’m pretty picky about business books.

Video: Trust Agents

I’m so stoked. Just got my new AC/DC Black Ice CD and it rocks. It has all the famous riffs that AC/DC is famous for and Brian’s voice is still awesome.

My three favorite tracks are Rock N Roll Train, Skies on Fire and Big Jack.

This is the first CD that AC/DC has put out since 2000 and it was definitely worth the wait.

I’m fired up to go see them in concert in the upcoming weeks and really looking forward to hearing them play their new songs live.

Recently, I had a chance to play with the Nintendo Wii for the first time.

I thought about getting one, but I’ve already got a PSP and PS2. I play them here and there, but not so much anymore, so I was thinking I don’t really need another video game system.

But after playing with the Wii, I thought it was amazing. It was so much better than I anticipated.

I mostly played bowling in the Wii Sports package, and I thought it was great, so I’m going to get one for myself.

Also, I think I’ll pick up Wii Fit for my kids – I haven’t seen it in action, but some of their friends love it.

If you haven’t played the Nintendo Wii, it’s so much different from what you’re used to in the past with passive games from the couch.

It’s such an active, fun experience with the Wii.

Vicky of http://www.askthemama.com talks about the Flip Ultra video camera, a great video camera for moms to have at hand to capture magical moments.

Vicky of http://www.askthemama.com talks about Bravado Nursing Bras, an essential for the nursing mom.

Shawn Collins of http://www.101wines.info/ reviews Gary Vaynerchuk’s 101 Wines.

The book features wines for 2008 spanning many prices, regions, grapes, and styles to help wine novices and sophisticated oenophiles to expand their wine horizons.

Vicky of http://www.askthemama.com talks about the Superyard XT. The 26″ high Superyard XT opens easily for access to your child, and is totally portable with a carrying strap included for maximum convenience, along with safety and durability.

Vicky of http://www.askthemama.com talks about the Sleepsack from Halo Innovations. The Sleepsack is a wearable blanket for babies that is recommended by the First Candle/SIDS Alliance.

Vicky of http://www.askthemama.com talks about one of her favorite breastfeeding tools, the Boppy Pillow. It’s a great baby nursing pillow and also helpful for the husband to bottle feed.

The popular Flip Video from Pure Digital Technologies now has a competitor in the Vado Pocket Video Cam from Creative. I filmed the same footage simultaneously from the Flip and Vado.

More details at http://blog.affiliatetip.com/archives/flip-video-vs-vado-pocket-video-cam/.