Seven books for every aspiring social media enthusiast
I often get asked what someone should read to learn the basics of social media and understand the consumer behavior driving it. There is certainly no shortage of reading materials but this is what I usually recommend.
Groundswell: Josh Bernoff ‘s and Charlene Li’s excellent assessment of the five year-old social media trend characterized by customers blogging about products, posting their own videos and creating their own communities.
Here Comes Everybody: Clay Shirky’s anthropological assessment of why traditional media is obsolete, how open source software realizes the web’s true collaborative potential, and the power of group action.
Free: Chris Anderson’s somewhat controversial and subsequently modified argument that as storage, processing and bandwidth costs approach zero, a new “free” economy will emerge.
The Chaos Scenario: Bob Garfield’s rant against media, advertising and old-world marketing adds further proof that it’s the consumer, not the brand, which is now in control.
Crowdsourcing: Jeff Howe’s lucid explanation of why customers and consumers want to participate in the creation of everything from content to products and how brands can tap into their energy.
Inbound Marketing: Hubspot’s Brian Halligan coined the term and along with his partner Dharmesh Shah offers up solid basic advice on the tactics needed to generate content and get found online.
Trust Agents: And finally, the personal how to advice from Julien Smith and Chris Brogan. The latter may be the hardest working man in social media, giving away for free most of what he knows and arguing that you should, too.
Finally, keep in mind that when it comes to really understanding social media you’re a lot better off doing it than reading about it.
What do you think? Have I left anything off that’s an absolute must read? What’s on your list?
Comments
Leadbeater's We-Think is a bit slow going at times, but it did get me thinking so I would add it to the list.
.-= @crowdmanageu00c2u00b4s last blog ..What do we think? =-.
Edward.
Thanks for including Inbound Marketing on your list! We are cranking this week...it is down to #345 out of 8million on amazon!!
Brian.
Books are great and can certainly get you started on the right path. However, let's not forget that not much beats actually doing!
.-= Marios Alexandrouu00c2u00b4s last blog ..First Link Priority with Images =-.
Believe I said that loud and clear. "Finally, keep in mind that when it comes to really understanding social media youu00e2u0080u0099re a lot better off doing it than reading about it." So yes, couldn't agree more with that one.
Edward, I had the opportunity to interview Seth Godin on the phone for an hour this year, fascinating man. I've also interviewed Tara @missrogue Hunt, she's wonderful and very smart. I interviewed Shel Israel in advance of Twitterville and we're due for a follow-up discussion. All great people. You're fortunate that you've been able to hang around Gary and soak up some of the GaryVee energy...
.-= Walter Schwabeu00c2u00b4s last blog ..Social media is about sweat! =-.
I would add The Whuffie Factor by Tara Hunt, Twitterville by Shel Israel and Tribes by Seth Godin and Gary Vaynerchuk's Crush It.
.-= Walter Schwabeu00c2u00b4s last blog ..Social media is about sweat! =-.
I haven't read Seth Godin's Tribes but didn't really have it on my list of must reads and have spent enough time with Gary to feel as if I've had the book read to me ;-) Gary does rock, and he has six (?) more books coming, so plenty of opportunity to get a Gary fix. But thanks, hadn't even heard of the Whuffle Factor. Will check it out.
Oh! And the other book I'd offer is THE NEW COMMUNITY RULES by Tamar Weinberg.
Thanks Chris for the recommendation. :)
.-= Tamar Weinbergu00c2u00b4s last blog ..Tweet Spinner Review: A Powerful Application to Manage Your Tweets =-.
Agree... great list, worth adding Tamar's book.
.-= Michael Troianou00c2u00b4s last blog ..Dominou00e2u0080u0099s Steps Toward the Truth =-.
Why am I always the first one to these parties? And thank you so much. : )
.-= Chris Brogan...u00c2u00b4s last blog ..The Old Value-Cost Conversation =-.
Probably because you check your Google reader and others don't?
Woah, top of your list. Thanks for including Groundswell.
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