My honest book review of Market Eminence by David Newman
I’ve known David Newman since his first book, Do It! Marketing, hit the shelves in 2013. We met over our shared obsession with helping entrepreneurs and experts simplify their marketing, and it didn’t take long for us to realize that we were marketing siblings—myself, the Do-It-Yourself marketer, and David, the Do-It Marketing guy. We often joke that he’s my brother from another mother, and after reading his newest book, Market Eminence, I’m more convinced than ever that we share the same DNA when it comes to marketing philosophy.
If you’ve ever wondered why some experts seem to effortlessly attract opportunities while others—equally talented—keep shouting into the void, this book is the answer. It’s not just another branding book; it’s a leadership manual for the modern marketplace. Newman doesn’t just tell you to stand out; he shows you, step by step, how to become a recognized, respected, and relentlessly relevant leader in your industry.
Stop Competing on Price. Start Owning Your Category.
Market Really shows you how to position yourself as the go-to expert in your field—so clients seek you out instead of shopping around.
Market Eminence is the book for every entrepreneur, coach, consultant, and creative who’s tired of being the best-kept secret in their space. Newman doesn’t sugarcoat the truth: being great at what you do is no longer enough. In a world overflowing with noise, the people who win are the ones who are visible, memorable, and trusted. And in these pages, he shows you exactly how to become one of them.
The Premise: Stop Hiding, Start Leading
Right from the introduction, Newman hooks you with a line that hits home: “In a world drowning in noise, the worst thing you can be is forgettable.” That’s the beating heart of Market Eminence. It’s not about chasing fame—it’s about earning distinction. It’s about being so clear and confident in who you are and what you stand for that people can’t help but remember you.
Newman explains that most experts are paying what he calls the “obscurity tax.” That’s the cost of being unknown, underrecognized, and underpaid—not because you’re not good enough, but because the market doesn’t know you well enough to value you. It’s the silent toll that drains your business every single day. And Market Eminence gives you the roadmap to stop paying it.
He reminds us this isn’t a “how-to” book—it’s a how-to-think book. And that shift is powerful. Real market leaders don’t follow trends; they create them. They don’t mimic the competition; they redefine their category. They don’t wait for permission; they move with conviction. Newman’s message is clear: market leadership starts in the mind before it manifests in the marketplace.
The 22-Strategy Playbook That Redefines Personal Branding
At the core of Market Eminence is a 22-part playbook designed to take you from competent to category leader. Each strategy stands alone yet builds toward a bigger picture—a complete ecosystem of thought leadership, trust, and influence.
The standout chapters include:
Influence: The Currency of Market Leaders — Newman shows that true influence isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room but saying something worth repeating. His “Brand Influence Tracker” is a practical tool that helps you identify where you can make real impact in your market. My biggest takeaway here: influence is intentional. You don’t stumble into it—you build it deliberately.
Slant: Profitable Polarization — This chapter made me rethink how I approach content. Newman urges us to take a stance—to stop trying to please everyone and start resonating deeply with the right people. “A slant everyone agrees with isn’t distinctive enough to stand out,” he writes. That one hit hard. As business owners, we’ve all watered down our message in the name of being ‘professional.’ But in truth, clarity and conviction are what attract loyal followers.
Resistance: Fight What’s Worth Fighting For — One of my favorite chapters, this section challenges you to define what you stand against. It’s not enough to have values—you need villains. Every memorable brand takes a stand against something, whether it’s lazy thinking, unethical practices, or stale industry traditions. Newman reminds us that meaningful resistance creates natural differentiation. It’s not about being negative; it’s about leading with purpose.
Certainty: Conviction That Converts — Here, Newman tackles a subtle but powerful truth: confidence converts. The way you talk about your business shapes how people trust it. He points out how phrases like “we might” or “we hope to” erode credibility. Swap them for “we will” and “you will experience.” This isn’t about arrogance—it’s about assurance backed by proof. It made me look at my own copy and ask: does it sound like conviction or hesitation?
Gravity: Become a Market Magnet — This concept ties it all together. Newman defines gravity as the point where opportunities start chasing you instead of the other way around. When you build enough trust, visibility, and credibility, you become magnetic. His 90-day visibility plan at the end of this chapter is pure gold—it’s like a marketing blueprint for sustainable momentum.
The Line That Won’t Leave My Head
The quote that’s been living rent-free in my brain is: “The market doesn’t reward expertise. It rewards the perception of expertise.” I’ve been in marketing long enough to know this is true—and a little terrifying. It’s not just powerful; it’s dangerous. Because this presumes that your offer is legitimately effective. This idea is not an excuse to fake it until you make it. It’s a call to overcome imposter syndrome, to own your brilliance, and to communicate your value clearly. If you’re pretending to get results you don’t deliver, this principle becomes toxic. But if you’re great at what you do and struggling to be seen, this concept could change everything.
The Personal Impact: What I’ll Do Differently
I’ve always been clear about what I stand for—but I haven’t been nearly as clear about what I stand against. Sure, I mention it here and there, but I haven’t made it a defining part of my message. Reading Market Eminence made me realize that it’s time to take that clarity to the next level. As Newman says, resistance gives your brand gravity. It’s what makes your audience trust that you’re not just another voice—you’re a leader with principles.
I’ve also been hesitant to take firm stances on controversial marketing topics. Lately, I’ve started leaning in a bit more, but this book gave me the courage to go all in. To be bold. To share my perspective even when it’s not the popular one. Because the truth is, influence isn’t built by playing it safe—it’s built by showing up with conviction.
Another shift I’m making: focusing less on volume and more on depth. Instead of pumping out more content, I’m focusing on crafting ideas that actually move people. As Newman says, “True influence isn’t about being the loudest. It’s about saying something worth repeating.”
What’s Not in This Book
Let’s be clear—Market Eminence is not a beginner’s guide to marketing. If you’re looking for an introduction to building your first marketing strategy or getting your message off the ground, that’s where Do It! Marketing comes in. This book is for those who already have a solid foundation and are ready to level up—to move from simply doing marketing to leading their market. It’s about scaling your visibility, your authority, and your confidence to match your expertise.
The Hidden Message: Humility Is Overrated
One of the underlying truths in Market Eminence is that many coaches and consultants struggle with imposter syndrome. They hold back, downplay their achievements, or hide behind modesty because they’re their own harshest critics. Newman doesn’t let you stay there. He reminds readers that humility, while admirable, can also be a trap. “If you deliver what you promise,” he implies throughout the book, “you owe it to your audience to let them know.”
That’s a game changer. Because visibility isn’t vanity—it’s service. When you make it easy for people to find you, trust you, and learn from you, you’re doing them a favor. Hiding your brilliance doesn’t make you humble; it makes you invisible.
About David Newman: The Voice Behind the Movement
David Newman is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), keynote speaker, and host of the top 1% ranked podcast The Selling Show, which has over 500 episodes. He works with founders, CEOs, and experts who want to play bigger, grow faster, and become a category of one.
He’s the author of three previous books—Do It! Marketing, Do It! Speaking, and Do It! Selling—each one a field manual for success in its own right. Do It! Marketing became an international bestseller translated into six languages. He’s been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, MSN, FastCompany.com, and Entrepreneur, among many others. Since 1992, he’s delivered more than 600 keynotes and training sessions for clients ranging from startups to 44 of the Fortune 500, including IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and American Express.
When you read Market Eminence, you can feel that experience in every word. This isn’t theory—it’s wisdom earned from three decades in the trenches. Newman’s voice is confident yet humble, sharp yet empathetic. He doesn’t just teach you how to lead a market; he shows you how to lead yourself first.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever felt like your expertise isn’t being seen, valued, or respected enough, Market Eminence is the bridge between where you are and where you’re meant to be. It’s not a branding book—it’s a boldness book. It’s about claiming your space, using your voice, and leading with conviction.
For anyone tired of being overlooked, underpaid, or underestimated, this isn’t just another read—it’s a revolution in print. Your next level of growth doesn’t start with doing more. It starts with being seen more—and doing it with purpose, integrity, and courage.
Your move.
