Crushing It - Gary vaynerchuk : Fast-track your way to biz success and profits

Scan Time: 3-4 minutes / Read time: 5-7 minutes

Chapters in book: 15 / Chapters in here: 12  (almost same order as book)

Hey rebel solopreneurs 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

You think the only way to make it is climbing the corporate ladder or following someone else's playbook?

Wrong!

That belief's keeping you broke and miserable while opportunities slip by every single day.

Here's the crazy part - we're living in the best time in human history to build wealth doing what you love and starting a business with it, but most people are stuck playing by outdated rules.

Gary Vaynerchuk figured this out when he transformed his family's $3M liquor store into a $60M empire using nothing but passion and social media, then built VaynerMedia into a global agency.

His "Document Don't Create" approach in Crushing It! shows exactly how everyday people are building six-figure businesses just by sharing their journey.

Can you imagine?

Let's search for the buried treasure.

💰 Multi-millionaire entrepreneurs who love this book

⛳️ The author's journey: From wine store employee to social media empire

Gary started stocking shelves at 14 in his family's tiny liquor store.

Everyone expected him to follow the traditional path - get good grades, go to college, maybe take over the family business the boring way.

But Gary saw something different.

He realized people were hungry for authentic, passionate content about things they cared about - even wine!

So in 2006, he started filming himself tasting wines in his store's basement, uploading videos to this new platform called YouTube.

"When it comes to professional opportunities, this is the best time to be alive in the history of humankind," says Gary.

His family thought he was crazy, spending hours making videos that "didn't directly sell wine."

But here's the thing - those videos built something way more valuable than any billboard could - real relationships with thousands of wine lovers.

The result? He grew the business from $3M to $60M in annual sales.

Then he took that same blueprint and helped other entrepreneurs do it through VaynerMedia.

"You're going to go through a time where you're not going to make any money. It's going to be years. And during that time, if you don't love what you do, it's going to be very hard to stick it out," adds Gary.

Let's steal Gary's document-don't-create strategies that will turn your hidden passion into your primary income, so you can build wealth doing what you love.

Time to strike gold...

1. 🚀 Know exactly what makes you different (Personal Brand DNA)

🧸 Example

Gary Vaynerchuk is a wine expert and entrepreneur from New Jersey.

He discovered his natural ability to taste wine and communicate about it in an authentic, energetic way.

Get this - instead of trying to sound like traditional wine critics with fancy vocabulary, Gary embraced his working-class background and high-energy personality.

He realized his "defects" - being loud, cursing, talking fast - were actually his superpowers in the wine world!

This authentic approach attracted people who felt intimidated by traditional wine culture.

His genuine passion combined with his unique communication style became the foundation for everything he built.

🔥 The power insight

• Personal Brand DNA means understanding your unique mix of skills, personality, and passion that nobody else can copy

• Most people try to copy successful people instead of figuring out what makes them authentically different

🍿

• It's like having a signature dish - anyone can make pasta, but only you can make it exactly the way you do with your special ingredients and techniques

• You've found your unique DNA... but what timeless principles actually work?

2. ⚡ Focus on what never changes (Crush It Principles)

🧸 Example

The Crush It Principles are the core methodology Gary developed in 2009.

These principles include passion, authenticity, patience, and providing value before asking for anything.

Even though platforms like TikTok, Instagram Stories, and Clubhouse didn't exist in 2009, entrepreneurs who followed these principles succeeded on every new platform that emerged.

Gary shows how a fitness trainer who focused on genuinely helping people (not just selling) built a massive following across multiple platform changes.

The trainer's success wasn't about knowing every new app - it was about consistently providing value and building real relationships.

When algorithms changed or platforms lost popularity, she kept succeeding because her foundation was solid.

🔥 The power insight

• Crush It Principles means focusing on timeless fundamentals like providing value and building relationships instead of chasing every new tactic

• Platforms change constantly, but human nature and the desire for authentic value stays the same

🍿

• It's like learning to cook vs. learning to use a specific oven - master the cooking fundamentals and you can succeed with any equipment

• Foundations solid... but what should you actually be creating?

3. 📱 Show your journey instead of pretending perfection (Document Don't Create)

🧸 Example

Document Don't Create is Gary's approach to content creation.

Instead of trying to create polished, perfect content, you simply document what you're already doing.

A fitness trainer doesn't need to create elaborate workout videos - she can just film herself doing her normal workout and share what she's learning.

A baker can document his process of testing new recipes, showing both successes and failures.

This approach removes the pressure of being an "expert" and makes content creation sustainable because you're not inventing anything new.

Gary himself built Wine Library TV by simply documenting his daily wine tastings, not by creating elaborate productions.

🔥 The power insight

• Document Don't Create means sharing your real journey and learning process instead of waiting until you feel qualified enough to teach

• People connect with authentic struggle and growth more than polished perfection

🍿

• It's like showing someone how you learned to ride a bike vs. pretending you were born knowing how - the learning journey is actually more interesting

• Content plan ready... but what's really holding you back?

4. 💪 Stop making excuses and identify real barriers (Fear Elimination)

🧸 Example

Fear Elimination is Gary's approach to overcoming mental barriers.

He shares the story of a woman who wanted to start a food blog for five years but kept making excuses.

First it was "I don't have time," then "I'm not a good enough cook," then "the market is too crowded."

Meanwhile, dozens of people with less experience and knowledge started food blogs and built successful businesses.

Gary helped her realize that her real fear was being judged by friends and family, not any practical obstacle.

Once she identified the real fear, she could address it directly and finally start her blog.

🔥 The power insight

• Fear Elimination means identifying the real psychological barriers hiding behind practical excuses

• Most "practical" reasons for not starting are actually cover stories for deeper fears

🍿

• It's like saying you can't exercise because you don't have the right shoes when you really just don't want to be seen sweating at the gym

• Fears identified... but who gives you permission to start?

5. ✊ Give yourself permission instead of waiting for validation (Permission to Start)

🧸 Example

Permission to Start is about taking action without external validation.

Gary tells the story of a woman who waited five years for her husband's approval to start her blog.

During those five years, she watched other people with similar ideas build massive followings and successful businesses.

By the time she finally started, the market was much more crowded and competitive.

Her husband's approval wasn't actually necessary - she had been giving him power over her dreams.

Gary emphasizes that the only permission you need is from yourself, and waiting for others to validate your ideas is just another form of procrastination.

🔥 The power insight

• Permission to Start means recognizing that you already have everything you need to begin pursuing your goals

• Waiting for external validation is just procrastination disguised as being "responsible"

🍿

• It's like waiting for someone else to tell you it's okay to be hungry before you eat lunch

• Permission granted... but where should you focus first?

6. 🎯 Master one platform completely before expanding (Personal Brand Pillar)

🧸 Example

Personal Brand Pillar is Gary's strategy of choosing one primary platform to master.

He built Wine Library TV exclusively on YouTube for years before expanding to other platforms.

Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of trying to be everywhere at once - posting mediocre content on five platforms instead of dominating one.

Gary shows how a real estate agent chose Instagram as her pillar and spent six months posting consistently, learning the platform deeply.

She understood Instagram's algorithm, visual style, and audience behavior better than agents trying to juggle multiple platforms.

This deep expertise led to higher engagement, more referrals, and ultimately more sales than her scattered competitors.

🔥 The power insight

• Personal Brand Pillar means choosing one platform to master completely before adding others to your strategy

• Deep expertise on one platform beats shallow presence on many platforms

🍿

• It's like becoming fluent in one language vs. knowing basic phrases in ten languages - fluency actually helps you communicate

• Platform picked... but how do you get discovered in a crowded world?

7. 💎 Find underpriced attention before everyone else does (Day Trading Attention)

🧸 Example

Day Trading Attention is Gary's strategy for finding platforms and topics with growing audiences but low competition.

He identified Musical.ly early when it was still growing, allowing creators to build massive followings with minimal effort.

While everyone was fighting for attention on saturated platforms like Facebook, smart creators were capturing entire audiences on emerging platforms.

Gary shows how a dance instructor built a million-follower audience on Musical.ly in six months, something that would have taken years on YouTube.

The key was recognizing the opportunity before it became obvious to everyone else.

By the time Musical.ly became mainstream, she was already established as a top creator.

🔥 The power insight

• Day Trading Attention means finding platforms or topics where attention is still cheap and audiences are growing

• Getting in early on emerging platforms gives you massive advantages over late adopters

🍿

• It's like buying a house in a neighborhood before it becomes trendy - you get way more value for your investment

• Opportunity spotted... but does your style match the platform?

8. 🎭 Match your content style to platform culture (Platform DNA Match)

🧸 Example

Platform DNA Match is about understanding whether your personality fits each platform's culture.

Musical.ly (now TikTok) rewarded playful, creative, and entertaining content over educational or serious content.

A business coach who tried to post LinkedIn-style advice videos on Musical.ly got zero engagement.

But when she started creating fun, behind-the-scenes videos of her morning routine with business tips woven in naturally, her content exploded.

The same message worked on both platforms, but the delivery had to match each platform's native language.

Gary emphasizes that fighting a platform's culture is like swimming upstream - exhausting and ineffective.

🔥 The power insight

• Platform DNA Match means adapting your message to fit each platform's unique culture and content style

• Every platform has its own native language, and speaking that language determines your success

🍿

• It's like dressing appropriately for different events - you can be yourself at both a wedding and a beach party, but you adjust your style

• Platform mastered... but how do you show your authentic side?

9. 📸 Share behind-the-scenes moments that build connections (Authentic Moments)

🧸 Example

Authentic Moments is about using platforms like Snapchat to show unpolished, real-time content.

A real estate agent used Snapchat to document property visits, client meetings, and even traffic jams between appointments.

This behind-the-scenes content made her business feel more personal and trustworthy than agents only sharing polished photos.

Clients started choosing her specifically because they felt like they already knew her personality and work style.

The casual, ephemeral nature of Snapchat made these moments feel genuine rather than calculated marketing.

Gary shows how these authentic moments often convert better than professional marketing content.

🔥 The power insight

• Authentic Moments means sharing unpolished, real-time content that shows the person behind your business

• People connect with authentic struggle and personality more than perfect presentations

🍿

• It's like inviting someone into your kitchen while you cook vs. only showing them the finished meal - the process is often more interesting

• Authenticity established... but how do you build real expertise?

10. 🎥 Create deeper content that establishes your expertise (Long-form Authority)

🧸 Example

Long-form Authority is about using platforms like YouTube to create detailed, educational content.

A fitness trainer built a massive following by creating 15-20 minute videos explaining workout techniques, nutrition science, and program design.

While other trainers posted quick workout clips, she took time to explain the "why" behind everything she recommended.

This educational approach positioned her as an authority rather than just another fitness influencer.

Clients were willing to pay premium prices for her coaching because they trusted her expertise.

The longer format allowed her to build deeper relationships and demonstrate real knowledge.

🔥 The power insight

• Long-form Authority means using detailed content to establish expertise and build deeper relationships with your audience

• Teaching thoroughly positions you as an expert and justifies premium pricing

🍿

• It's like the difference between a cooking show and a recipe card - the show builds trust and expertise that makes you want to buy the cookbook

• Authority built... but how do you create a community?

11. 👥 Build engaged communities around shared interests (Community Building)

🧸 Example

Community Building is about using Facebook's features to create groups around your expertise.

A cooking enthusiast started a Facebook group for meal prep beginners with just 20 friends.

She consistently shared meal prep tips, answered questions, and encouraged members to share their own successes and challenges.

The group grew to 10,000 engaged members who trusted her recommendations and bought her meal prep courses.

The community became more valuable than her individual content because members learned from each other.

This engaged community provided constant feedback, content ideas, and a ready market for her products.

🔥 The power insight

• Community Building means creating spaces where your audience can connect with each other around shared interests

• Engaged communities are more valuable than large but passive followings

🍿

• It's like hosting a neighborhood potluck vs. just delivering food to individual houses - people value the shared experience

• Community growing... but how do you tell your visual story?

12. 📷 Use visuals and captions to tell your brand story (Visual Storytelling)

🧸 Example

Visual Storytelling is about using Instagram to combine compelling visuals with authentic captions.

A travel blogger built a six-figure business by pairing stunning destination photos with honest stories about her journey.

Instead of just posting pretty pictures, she shared the struggles of solo travel, budget challenges, and personal growth moments.

Her captions revealed the real story behind each image - the failed plans, unexpected discoveries, and lessons learned.

This combination of beautiful visuals and authentic storytelling attracted both wanderlust dreamers and practical travel planners.

Brands paid premium rates to work with her because her audience was highly engaged and trusted her recommendations.

🔥 The power insight

• Visual Storytelling means combining compelling images with authentic captions that reveal your real journey and expertise

• The story behind the picture is often more valuable than the picture itself

🍿

• It's like a photo album with detailed journal entries vs. just photos - the context makes everything more meaningful

🧘‍♀️ The simple success recipe

1. Find your unique DNA - Like a signature recipe that only you can make

2. Document your real journey - Like keeping a video diary of your learning process

3. Choose one platform to master - Like becoming fluent in one language before learning others

🥂 Your turn!

That's it, my fellow rebels!

Stop waiting for permission and start building your real online presence around what you genuinely love doing.

"Being unafraid of making mistakes makes everything easy for me," says Gary.

Pick one platform today and commit to documenting your journey for 30 days - just show up and share what you're learning.

The world needs your unique perspective and passion more than another perfect presentation.

Ready to build the life that gets you excited every day.

Keep rocking 🚀 🍩

Yours 'making success painless and fun' vijay peduru 🦸‍♂️