Social media explained for traditional marketers
I believe the person that might benefit the most from this book is someone from a traditional ad/marketing agency that has some experience with social media (they know what a blog, Facebook, and user generated content is), but needs additional exposure and ideas about ways to apply.
I might have been the wrong audience.
For me, there were some interesting case studies and it does a good job of connecting ideas, but I didn't feel like I got much out of it. I think I would describe it to someone as:
Introduction to Social Web Marketing: A Traditional Marketer's Primer
Overall, it just didn't grab me, but there are a lot of people that seem to love the book, so take it with a grain of salt.
-Marc Crudele
Atlanta, GA
A good book
There are many books out there about social marketing. I think is is like the rest. You won't really get anything new out of it, but just another opinion on a way to look at it.
I think though this one is one of the better ones that exist out there.
General information for "dinosaurs" still not sold on Web 2.0...
Executive Summary:
The book would be more appropriately entitled: "An introduction to Web 2.0" There is very little marketing advice, and the information in this book might have been cutting edge in 2002-3 but in 2008, it would only appeal to beginners, or non-tech oriented people. If you don't know what a "Blog" is, then this book is for you. If you do know what a blog is, I would go elsewhere.
Full Review:
I have read about a dozen books on marketing/advertising/community building on the web. Perhaps I didn't realize the scope of this book. First, if you are reading a review for what this book is about, you are probably more technologically advanced than anything this book has to offer...(IE: The "Social Web" as he puts it, Or Web 2.0, can affect hearts and minds. For example, you are reading this review before purchasing this book for some insight.)
To me it seemed as if the book was written for very large company's marketers who are 60+ years of age and are not familiar with the internet, or at best don't think there has been any evolution of the internet in the past 14+ years since it has gone commercial. I don't mean to be rude, but this book really seemed like something that would have had an impact and would have been interesting in about 2001. The fact that this book was written and released in the last year honestly amazed me, as I was certain that it was just re-released based on the material.
To be slightly more specific, the book concentrates heavily on not trying to hurt the ego's of marketers who have not been keeping up with the Internet by saying "Some of your old marketing knowledge is still useful." a bit too often. While true, it just seemed a bit overboard. Another quick example of the target market is that the book took about 4-5 pages in describing what a blog is. This is all well and good for an "Intro" book, but it is indicitive of the audience this book was meant for. I found this book too generic to be useful. It lacked specifics, strong case examples, adequate statistics, etc. If you are 60+ years of age and really aren't aware of what social communities are, or message boards, or online reviews of products (Oh the irony), I would recommend this book. Also, if you don't believe that having an online voice is relevant in today's global market, and are looking for a strong case to show you why it is, I would recommend this book. If you have ever participated on a message board, read a blog, posted/read an online review, etc...this book won't tell you anything that you don't already know.
However, if you are looking for effective ways to market to the "Social Web" AKA Web 2.0 by the rest of the world, go elsewhere. This book is too generic to be useful IMHO. I gave this book two stars instead of one because it was well written, and unlike EVERY other marketing book I have ever read, it didn't remind you to go to the author's website every other page (In fact, I don't even remember him naming his website in the book, which is to be applauded, as you can tell this info was legitimately designed to help the reader, not just another marketing tool by the author as many marketing books are). Also if you do want a BEGINNERS' book to what Web 2.0 is, this would be tough to beat. The author puts everything in non-techie terms, and is very thorough at explaining some of the core/basic concepts of Web 2.0.
BOTTOM LINE:
The people who could best be helped with a book like this are intelligent people who don't keep up with technology, but know the basics. I found this more as an introduction to what Web 2.0 was than a "How to" book which is what I believed the book to be about based on the title.
If you are looking for valuable "How to market to the Social Web" info, this book will GREATLY disappoint you.
Great tool for marketers
I spend a great deal of time presenting social media concepts to marketing and agency professionals. This is a great book to help marketers build a solid understanding of key concepts and be prepared to make informed decisions. Marketing to the Social Web is an important tool for the arsenal.
Latin american Social Web
I've just read this book and it left me a good taste of mouth. However it would be great that the book (or any book related to this topic) talk about the latin american Social Webs. I'm from Mexico and unfortunately I haven't found any book and/or article that talk about blogging, forum, among other social web in latin america.
This book gave me a lot of tips and an excellent starting point to begin my research in latin american market.
(17 reviews)
