Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the Managing Director of Manchester based sustainable branding and marketing agency Reward. Having set the agency up at 21 nearly 6 years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing brands from Europe’s largest online fashion destination Zalando to sustainable manufacturing and ecommerce brands.
I write about my own personal struggles with mental health after being diagnosed with HIV in 2016 as well as pushing for organisations to be more sustainable and ethical. I launched my first book, Serve at the end of 2019 and it hit number 1 best seller status on Amazon.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Serve: Stop taking and start giving, your key to sustainable and ethical marketing success.
I wrote Serve for a few reasons. Firstly to empty my head to make room. When you have so many ideas and thoughts floating around it can be hard to think clearly. I wanted to write my first book to help shape my ideas into more rounded concepts, writing the book allowed me to do that.
Secondly, I wrote Serve out of an annoyance at how businesses behave. Even with more scrutiny and consumer pressure brands still don’t market or behave ethically. I wanted to create a manifesto and new way of approaching marketing to help marketers to bring about more positive change with their work.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I created a countdown excel sheet with a bar chart that progressed towards my final word count. Each day I would aim to write a certain number of words and seeing the bar get closer to end point, kept me going when I was struggling to write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Seth Godin is the obvious name in marketing, This Is Marketing is a great book. Daniel Priestley, Scott Belsky, James Clear and Darren Hardy are also great writers who have helped shape my thinking and inspire my own ideas.
What are you working on now?
I am just starting a podcast to support the ideas in the book as well as speaking at more events about ethical marketing and sustainability in business.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own personal blog and LinkedIn profile have been great in driving traffic to Amazon as well as building trust and a relationship with people who might want to order my book.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get started. The hardest part for me was getting over self doubt. I constantly put off writing a book because of fear. A fear of my ideas being laughed at or falling flat. Don’t let fear and worry stop you from writing an amazing book. Plan an outline of your book and start writing, from there you’ll get into a flow and with consistency before you know it you’ll have written a book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stick with it. Things don’t always work out the way you planned but if you stick with something, it will work out in the end. Life is full of challenges and people give up far too easily. Most rewards come with a challenge or too. Stick with it.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading the Do / Purpose which is part of a series of books by the Do Book Company. I’ve never read this book before but the similarities in message with my book amazed me.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to take a break to promote the book and fill my head back up with new ideas. I plan on writing another non-fiction book in the next year or so.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Make Your Mark – 99U
Blue Ocean Strategy, Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim
Branding: In Five and a Half Steps, Michael A. Johnson
Author Websites and Profiles
Mitchel White Website
Mitchel White Amazon Profile
Mitchel White’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account