About John Butman

An idea platform

begins with an original insight

acquires depth and richness through exploration and research

gains clarity from analysis and development

takes tangible form as a book and surrounding media

creates dialogue through live engagement and web presence

achieves authority and reach as it attracts new ideas and advocates

becomes sustainable as the new is embraced and the cycle begins again

Capabilities

The Butman Company helps clients in many types of endeavor - such as consultancies, educational institutions, and public advocacies - create and build idea platforms that enable them to increase their attractiveness, expand their influence, and open new opportunities for themselves.

Exploration and expression. We assess the intellectual, emotional, social, and commercial potential of an idea, in the light of such factors as distinctiveness, strength of supporting material, value to the audience and its era, and the resources required to bring it forth. We extract and express content elements and messages for particular audiences for defined purposes. We take particular care to develop accurate and memorable names for key concepts, structural elements, titles, and subtitles.
Research and structuring. We design and carry out primary and secondary research, including interviewing, field exploration, survey development, and review of online and library sources. We develop an intellectual and emotional structure that is strong enough to hold up over time with a logic flow that accommodates different styles of apprehension, and that makes reference easy.
Writing and editing. We write and edit books in collaboration with our clients and prepare surrounding materials such as articles, reports, speeches and live events, summaries, press materials, videos, blogs, and web presences. We are known for a serious, yet popular, narrative style - characterized by clarity, richness, accessibility, readability, and good humor.
Publishing and promulgation. We prepare proposals, secure agents, and act as liaison with traditional publishers. We chart and manage self-publishing routes, in collaboration with independent service providers, book packagers, and brokers. We develop and create materials that will help promote and promulgate the idea.

Proprietary Tools

SOURCERER™ Our proprietary research tool offers all the flexibility and stability of the Filemaker database, with advanced features including effortless capture of online sources and their citations, full-text keyword and category search; tagging so the original source can never be lost. There is no tool we know of that offers the writer/researcher such convenience, power, and protection against error.
Elevator Editions™ We conceive and prepare very concise, delightfully packaged versions of longer works that enable specialist readers - especially the press, partners, influencers, friends and family - to quickly consume or review the material.

About John Butman

John has been involved in the development and creation of idea-driven communications vehicles and media for over twenty-five years. He has worked with corporate, non-profit, and individual clients in many fields of endeavor - from bringing luxury products to exclusive markets to delivering free medical services to developing countries. He has been involved in the publication of some twenty books, with more than 1 million copies in print, in fifteen languages - including New York Times, BusinessWeek, Toronto Globe and Mail, and Boston Globe bestsellers. He has developed communications materials of many kinds, including live events, installations, web presences, and film and video. He has worked with clients throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

John is a member of The Authors Guild, The American Book Producers Association, and The Society of American Business Editors and Writers.