3 Social Media Marketing Books for the Holidays

Now that we're basking in the quiet moments of the holidays, I've had a chance to do a deeper dive on some of the books I've been wanting to read and share with you.

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Web Analytics 2.0

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It is actionable from page one to the very last page. If you buy it and use it (please use it) in combination with Web Analystics one Hour a Day, which I bought about a year ago, it will get you a long way to understanding and measuring actionable metrics.

Plus, in the holiday spirit, Avinash Kaushik donates all proceeds to two charities, The Smile Train and Doctors Without Borders.

I particularly like the concept of uncomplexifying, measuring outcome-driven metric, and learning to create reports that the business will understand.

Often, when we're domain experts, we forget to translate that expertise into education for the rest of the organization. If nobody understands the value of what you bring... you will get little action for traction.

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The New Community Rules: Marketing on the Social Web

You cannot possibly find more complete information on how to set up an environment, achieving social media implementation mastery,  including the development of a social media strategy, and a detailed walk through of some of the key tools. The book is filled with stories of companies and their results.

If you also want to know about videos and podcasts, dig in.

This book is perfect if you have a team that needs to be brought up to speed and convinced about the value of engaging in these activities.

There are plenty of case studies on companies of any size and customer base to convince even the most skeptical to give it a go.

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Social Media Marketing for Dummies

Don't be fooled by the title. The author is a very accomplished practitioner, Shiv Singh. I had the pleasure of finally meeting Shiv recently at Web 2.0 Expo while on a panel together.

The key point you might want to share with your colleagues from the book is how your Web site is a hub, not the center of the universe. A starting point.

I know, disappointing, isn't it? So it should work in harmony and total linkage with the social media outposts you build around and with a campaign.

Share this book with the team that might still be thinking perfect, brochure-like Web site, with perhaps a word cloud here and there. You need more points of interactions and calls to action throughout your online presence!

Shiv and Razorfish have unveiled the concept of SIM or social influence marketing, and given you a way to measure it in their 2009 FEED report.

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This is what I'm reading. What are you reading right now?

[Disclosure: Web Analytics 2.0, Social Media Marketing for Dummies, and The New Community Rules: Marketing on the Social Web were sent to me by the publisher on behalf of the author. This review and recommendation is based upon the quality of the material - and not on how I obtained it.]

© 2006-2009 Valeria Maltoni. All rights reserved.

Comments

[Danny Brown]

I've just started reading "Friends With Benefits" by Darren Barefoot and Julie Szabo:

http://www.amazon.ca/Friends-Benefits-Social-Marketing-Handbook/dp/1593271999 (not affiliate link)

Not sure how it will pan out and who the target audience will really be, as it's early days, but the pedigree of the authors intrigue.

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Valeria - see you on the other side! :)

[Joy Johnson]

The books at the top of my reading list are Exploiting Chaos and Six Pixels of Separation. I'm also looking at Seth Godin's updated box set and the updated version of Predictably Irrational. So many good books, so little time to read them. Getting snowed in at an airport would probably do wonders for shortening my list.

[Valeria Maltoni]

@Danny - gave that to a colleague who was looking for a book on the benefits of social media. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and thank you for your support.

@Joy - little time to read is also my challenge. With all the writing, I end up reading a lot more online to research posts. I do love tucking into a good book, still though. I'll need to look up Exploiting Chaos, new to me. Thank you!

[Ari Herzog]

Danny / Valeria -- That FWB book is on my list of books that are collecting dust while I wait to peruse through it.

Thanks for the review above; you've inspired me to put something together for tomorrow.

[Cindy Stephenson]

Thanks for your suggestions and I will definitely check them out. I have three on the go which I am hoping to get through this week - Six Pixels of Separation, Trust Agents and Twitterville.

[Armando Alves]

Curious how i took the first 2 for my holidays even not having read your post. Shame i ended up reading Ogilvy and Joshua Porter.

[Shiv Singh]

Valeria, glad you enjoyed the book and found it worthwhile to include as a recommendation for the holidays. It was great doing the Web 2.0 panel together.