The 3^3 Project: 2009

Around this time last year, I came up with 3^3 — an idea to endorse genuine word-of-mouth by promoting products and services that deserve recognition.  If the Super Bowl is the day where we stop and appreciate great advertising (and occasionally football), then maybe 3^3 can be a time for us to stop and spread great WOM for things that more people really should know about.

And yes, I did just compare an idea for a blog post to the Super Bowl.

If you didn’t take part in the 2008 round of 3^3, here’s the full explanation (scroll to the bottom to get the gist of it):

Over the year, we all discovered new things that we now love and recommend to everyone.  Restaurants, food, beer, movies, songs, albums, bands, books, websites, blogs, articles, software, Youtube videos, etc.  We recommend them because we’re confident that they’ll enrich another person’s life in some way or another.  This is genuine word-of-mouth marketing. The person making the suggestion has nothing to gain from it personally, other than the satisfaction that he gets from knowing that he’s made someone’s life a little better.

But when you’re online, it’s a bit harder to find authentic recommendations.  You don’t know if the source is being paid to write something or if they’re doing their friend a favor or what.  But I’m not going to let that happen on this post.

I’m calling this “The 3^3 Project” (three to the third) because you need to recommend 3 things, describe each of them in 3 sentences, and then ask 3 more people to join this discussion.  It allows us to find really cool stuff through word-of-mouth, and possibly even come up with some Christmas gift ideas.

What I want you to do is this:

• Post (preferably in the comment section below or on your own blog) your top 3 favorite things that you’ve really gotten into this year and want other people to check out.  Your suggestions can be anything.  They don’t even have to be things that came out this year; you just have to have fallen in love with them in the last 12 months.
• For each of your recommendations, you have to sell us on each thing in 3 sentences or less.  No paragraphs — just a few sentences.  Bonus points if you make it actionable by including a link, which will make it easier for everyone to actually see what you’re talking about.
• After that, you should ask 3 more people to add to the list.  Or you can blog about it and pingback to here.

Rules / Guidelines:

• No more than 3 things. Think hard about all the stuff you’ve fallen in love with this year and really narrow it down to the best of the best.
• Be specific. Don’t say things like “Film – Get into watching movies!”  Tell us which 3 films you really loved this year and why we’d love them, too.
• Give us a link. Where can we find / buy the product you’re recommending?  Where can I listen to that song by your favorite band?  Can I test out the software you love?  Make it easy on us and LINK IT UP!
• Avoid mainstream recommendations. No one wants to hear about how great the iPhone is.  But if you’ve found a really great iPhone app, tell us about that.
• NO SELF-PROMOTION OR PROMOTING SERVICES YOU’RE AFFILIATED WITH. If you try to make your recommendations about you, your friend, or your company in any way (“I recommend my blog – I really got into it this year LOL!!1″), you will have officially killed the spirit of this list.  I will delete your comment if I get a self-promo vibe from it.  And so help me god if you post an affiliate link…

So that’s it.  Your 3 favorite things from 2009, in 3 sentences or less.  Then ask 3 more people to join.

Here are my 3:

1. Backpack by 37 Signals – I use this everyday to keep me on schedule and my life in order.  Only $7 per month for an incredibly easy, painless way to store, organize, and collaborate on documents/projects over the web (and more).  Take a tour here, or try it free for 30 days at the link above.
2. HBO’s “Eastbound and Down” – Funniest new series on TV this year.  It’s about a wildly narcissistic ex-major league baseball player who is forced to live in a small town as a substitute teacher.  Check out this classic scene (1:30), or buy the first season for $10 at the link.
3. “Feed the Animals” by Girl Talk – Classic pop riffs + Rap = Greatest party mix of all-time!  I’ve come across a ton of artists doing mashups, but Girl Talk is the best I’ve heard, by far.  Listen to a song from the album, then download the rest for free at the link.

Looking forward to what you guys come up with!