Social media made easy (well, a little bit easier)

In attending an event this week I promised attendees that I would feature a post to point them to some of the information we discussed.

While social media is certainly not new to everyone...newsflash!...it's new to most people and professionals. My regular readers might have already seen this information, but, in the case you haven't, well then it's new to you.

Here are some of my posts centering on best practices and the core principles of social media:

• Don't pass the "Web 2.0 Go" without a guide. Learn why a guide for social media is essential right here.
• What's that you say? Learn the value of listening to social media conversations--and what you should be listening for--right here (psst: not every company needs to blog, but every company needs to be listening).
• It's about share. Learn why, through a riddle, this environment is most aptly called "The Share Economy" right here.
• Bad can be good. Learn why engaging your critics and leveraging their feedback is the best move, right here.
• Why blog? Find out the myriad value that marketing professionals receive through blogging in this unique collage right here (PDF version), or go here for the rich media version (that graphic on the below right is a snapshot of the piece).
• No, really...why blog? An interview with me by Folio Magazine focusing on "Why Blog?" is right here.
• One must modernize (or face irrelevance). In using the British monarchy as a metaphor for social media...find out why it's important to modernize, and why it's critical to reach out to your constituents (if you want them to like you) right here.
• Please follow the rules. Looking to pitch products, services and stories to bloggers? Go forth with caution and care--as consumer and business bloggers are very savvy!--best to first read my rules right here.
  
• Hard because it's simple. Learn why social media is "hard because it's simple" right here.
• Your blog has a mantra? Yep, it's right here.

Here are some books focusing on social media you might find worth your while:

• Citizen Marketers: this book focuses on the word-of-mouth phenomenon of "citizen" marketers. I was fortunate enough to review several chapters of the book before it went to print and we featured it as the inaugural selection in the book club I host--a Q&A with the authors is right here.
• The New Influencers: this book also features information and implications on today's "new influencers."I contributed an essay to this book and an interview I conducted with author Paul Gillin is right here.
• Join the Conversation: this book just launched and details why companies should participate in the global conversation. Buy the book through this link here and a portion of your purchase will benefit charity.
• The Age of Conversation: this book is unique in that it features over 100 chapters (1 page per chapter) by over 100 active marketing bloggers from all over the globe, including a chapter I contributed. It's also unique in that all profits of the book benefit charity. Post about the unprecedented initiative is here. eBook, softcover or hardcover versions can be purchased here.
• Enjoy marketing books? Wish you could discuss them with the authors and other marketers from the comfort of your own home or office? Now you can! Join the book club I host and created with MarketingProfs right here.

Some blogs covering a variety of marketing topics you might find helpful:If you scroll down the left-hand column of my blog you'll find a section labeled "Best Blogs" where you can be pointed to various marketing blogs covering a wealth of information.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments or, if you're social-media shy, you can always email me right here. Enjoy this new, improved Web 2.0 World. Yes, it really is better than the old world and holds a bevy of opportunities for marketers and businesses (and just plain ol' people).

Comments

[Paul Gillin]

Thanks for the link, and particularly for the reference to Age of Conversation, which I was unaware of. You continue to write one of the most intelligent social media blogs on the 'net!

[Geoff Livingston]

Great post, CK. We really need to be out there educating folks social media, and this a great catch all post. I would love to have you rerun this on the Buzz Bin if you would be amenable...

GL

[Valeria Maltoni]

Paul -- sorry we missed each other at the PRSA bloggers dinner. The Age of Conversation is indeed a fabulous social media reference.

Geoff -- I'm quoting you tomorrow ;-)

CK -- looks like I'm playing host here. They say it takes about three to seven times for something (or someone) to connect and Paul and I had already crossed paths twice. With you, my dear, I would spend entire posts like this one. I hope people come over as I linked you today in my ROI post -- this would be perfect to find.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Bravo CK. A great article that will be very useful to point people to who want to understand Social Media in 12 minutes or less. Thanks for creating this!

[Joseph Jaffe]

Ditto the previous comments. Bravo!