Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008

Book Review: You Lost Him at Hello

But…. wait!  I have to find him first!

I am pleased to present my first review for TLC Book Tours, You Lost Him at Hello by Jess McCann.  According to the cover, this book provides “A saleswoman’s secrets to closing the deal with any guy you want.”  Sign me up!  I’m single!  According to what I heard about the book, Ms. McCann has in the insider perspective on how you can use standard sales techniques in your personal life to meet more interested men.  So, before I get into my review of the book… let me just put it out there that sales is not my forte.  I’m good once the client has signed on, as far as handling the client requirements and taking good care of them.  But, the prospecting part… oh, so not my favorite.  When I think about dating, I know that I am definitely not out there actively looking and prospecting for men.  I expect the miracle of the perfect guy to land in my front yard… ready for me, my girls and all the love we can smother him with.  But, I heard things like that just don’t happen.  Yet…… they do!  There is this couple on my kids’ soccer team.  They literally moved in across the street from one another… fell madly in love and have been together ever since.  They adopted each other’s kids (from the prior marriages) and had two more together.  They are still in love as much as ever!  OK…. So, you see?  It could happen!

Ms. McCann’s back book cover states:

Whether you’re looking for Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now, You Lost Him at Hello will help you find him and keep him – while making you stronger, more confident, and irresistible to every man you meet.

WOW.  That’s a tall order… but, I’m in.

The Review:

Title:  You Lost Him at Hello – A Saleswoman’s Secrets to Closing the Deal with Any Guy You Want

Author:  Jess McCann

Author’s Website:  www.jessmccann.com

Publisher:  Health Communications, Inc.

Publisher’s Website:  www.hcibooks.com

ISBN 13: 978-0-7573-0713-3

ISBN 10: 0-7573-0713-2

The book starts off reminding women that in looking at the on-going failures in your dating relationships, you must look at yourself to really determine what is at the root of the break-ups.  In other words, is it really that every guy that you meet is a “jerk” or afraid to commit?   Most likely, not.  The common denominator is you!  So, Ms. McCann takes considerable time in the beginning of the book going over what types of pitfalls you may be experiencing.  There may be things that you are doing to sabotage your own success in finding Mr. Right.

The author then provides useful suggestions on how to remedy your shortcomings and ramp up for a new dating life.  She offers useful suggestions on how to behave during a date, when to leave, what NOT to do, what TO do, and drinking do’s and don’ts.  Most of her suggestions are common sense… like, deep inside, you know this stuff.  I believe that we know that what she is saying is true… and what we should do.  But, when it comes to actually doing it, I think that women get scared, insecure, lazy or.. a mixture thereof.  I don’t know… Sometimes people make bad choices or dating is just plain hard!  For those times, Ms. McCann encourages you to be the best you can be.  For example:

• Dress to impress – Not necessarily to the 9′s… but, be yourself… be unique…. know what you look good in… put in the effort to make yourself look nice wherever you go.  You never know who you are going to run into.  Always have some good outfits in your wardrobe that you look good in.
• Know Yourself & Love Yourself – You will only be able to sell yourself if you really believe in yourself.  Don’t be wishy washy and just go along with what the guy is saying.  Have your own opinion and be you!
• Keeping him on his toes – Don’t let him know when you are really into him.  Have self-respect and allow him to chase you… even if it’s hard

Now, the book is filled with dating advice and the aforementioned are just a few summarizations of what I took from the book.  There are good pointers on prospecting men while in public, icebreakers, and “filling the funnel” (i.e. dating multiple men at one time and never take yourself of the market until you are solidly in a fully committed relationship).  She also discusses the topic of leaving a date early and not letting it drag on too long, or worst yet, into a weekend.  She gives suggestions on alcohol intake, as well.

Here is a neat video where you can watch Ms. McCann work with a really pretty lady with dating “issues:” 

Favorite Quote/Section:

There was this section of the book that reminded me of things that I’ve said aloud in the past like, “I think if I were married or had a boyfriend, I would be happier.”  Yep, I’ve said that in the past! 

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale:”

I think that this book is PERFECT for somebody who is dating and in their twenties.  I think that it can save some women a lot of heartache and embarrassment if they took her advice on some issues.  As far as being a help to me… nearing 40 with kids…. I’m not so sure that this is the right book for me.  But, that doesn’t make this a bad book… just not suited for my personal situation.  Although, I bet Ms. McCann, if she heard me say that… would fly out here and get me hooked up within 2 days, tops!  She’s a real go-getter and very positive minded.

I can say that the book did remind me of some basics that I already know, but needed a ”refresher” on.  For that, I did enjoy the book.    So, for women in their 20′s to early 30′s… I’d recommend this book and give it a 8 out of 10.  For old, crusty, curvy women like me who are going nowhere to prospect… am totally glued to books and my blog… who’s kids are killing me slowly… I’d give it a 7.     

The Book Tour:

Monday, December 1st: Average 20 Something

Wednesday, December 3rd: A Novel Menagerie

Thursday, December 4th:  Tripping Toward Lucidity

Monday, December 8th:  As Life Flutters By

Wednesday, December 10th:  The Girl From the Ghetto

Monday, December 15th:  Stefanie Says

Wednesday, December 17th:  Savvy Verse and Wit

Buy You Lost Him at Hello at Amazon.Com.

4 Comments