The Social Media Field Guide: 2nd Edition

The Field Guide lives up to it’s name. You won’t find a lot of fluffy theory or ivory tower concepts in this book. Instead, you get exactly what you need to develop and implement a successful social media marketing strategy.

Experts may find themselves skimming through some of the earlier material, which focuses on background topics (“What is social media?”) and dispels some common myths and misconceptions. However, this information is essential for anyone who is a newcomer to the modern social media tools – even seasoned marketers. Think of it as “social media 101”.

Later in the book you’ll find tips and tricks for making best use of the current social media tools. This material is a critical resource for anyone marketing online! The subtleties between mobile vs Twitter vs Facebook, etc are hard to keep straight in your head and the Field Guide does a wonderful job of keeping the info close at hand. This is the kind of book that you’ll keep nearby your PC and refer to time and again.

Krista Neher’s Social Media Field Guide is a must read for both new and established social media marketers. For newbies it shows social media is more than just creating a Twitter account and tweeting about what you plan on doing. For experienced marketers the field guide reinforces concepts and strategies they should already have in place, building on those concepts to increase success and ROI. When you are reading the Field Guide make sure to keep a pen handy, not only for keeping notes in the margins, but to write down your key takeaways at the end of each section in the Action Items and Key Learnings section provided.

If you are motivated to add social media to your company’s overall marketing strategy and you are running into road blocks from your company you need to show them this book, and discuss the strategies and tactics Krista introduces. She makes your arguments for success through social media for you, and armed with her Field Guide you will be able to find your way through the jungle that is social media.

At only 225 pages it is a quick and easy read you can knock out over the weekend, and you’ll be a better social media marketer by Monday.