Mashable - The Social Media Guide - Latest Comments in Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

Re: Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

EPORIA eCommerce Solutions — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:45:45 -0000

Great list. Would also suggest The Open Brand by Kelly Mooney - good connect the dot overview of social media.

Re: Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

Beth Kanter — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 11:56:29 -0000

I read all the books on your list ... I got really inspired by the Strategic Listening book - although some of the social media stuff was too focused on tool.

I created a wiki on social media listening skills - more for nonprofits though

http://socialmedia-listenin...

Re: Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

Dave Freedman — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:30:17 -0000

I read two of the books on your list of five books on social media, which you say are excellent.
"The New Influencers" is indeed almost excellent, because it provides a lot useful examples and anecdotes, and the author seems objective in his reporting on the subject.
"Groundswell" is awful, in my opinion. The case studies are superficial, with no clear lessons. The authors seem to be repurposing their research, and they seem to be promoting themselves as the coiners of the term "groundswell," as it appears relentlessly on just about every page.

Question for you, Aaron: Did you call these books "excellent" because you read them and highly recommend them? Or is it because you are an Amazon affiliate and want to sell these books so you can get a commission?
Thansk.

Re: Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

Denise — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:16:01 -0000

THE AGE OF ENGAGE is another good one (if I do say so myself :-).

Re: Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

Michael E. Rubin, Blog Council — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:51:50 -0000

Aaron,

There are two others I would suggest:

"Word of Mouth Marketing" by Andy Sernovitz. While many books focus on abstract theory or blogosphere politics, Andy's book is practical and has down-to-earth tips that you can implement today very simply. I give this out often as gifts, and constantly refer back to it. Yeah, I work for him, but I often recommended it even when I didn't.

"Selling the Dream" by Guy Kawasaki. This is a classic, and while it's not about corporate social media specifically, many of the principles laid out here have become hallmarks of successful social media projects. Guy lays it out succinctly: be passionate for what you believe in and have fun.

----
michael@blogcouncil.org
312-932-9000
I am a Blog Council employee and this is my personal opinion.

Re: Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

Josh Bernoff — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:17:14 -0000

Wow, top of the list! Thanks for the recommendation.

Re: Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

James Pew — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:49:57 -0000

Here' s a good book written in simple terms by Larry Weber:

Marketing to the Social Web: How Digital Customer Communities Build Your Business

Re: Going Offline: 5 Books on Corporate Social Media

Metz — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:56:10 -0000

You might want to check out There Is No Secret Sauce, the best strategic guide to corporate social web strategy.