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This weeks Book Review- Social Media is a Cocktail Party

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with LoKation Real Estate

This weeks Book Review- Social Media is a Cocktail Party - Why You Already Know the Rules of Social Media Marketing- The title to this book really grabbed my attention, with all the buzz around Social Media marketing I felt this was a must read. The book had plenty of good content and some great tips, however most of the book was geared toward larger companies and the do's and don'ts of utilizing social media to makret their companies and products. The down side to this book is that it is already 2 years old and the social media machine has advanced well beyond a lot of the content.

The general premise of the book, Social Media is a Cocktail Party, is a very good rule of thumb to follow, treat the social medium you choose as though you are attending a cocktail party, if you happen to know a lot of people at the party, by all means jump into the conversation, however if you are new to the party or not familiar with anyone their, get to know people, attitudes, conversations before you start to join in. Imagine how turned off everyone would be if you went to a party and started promoting yourself and your business, you would quickly get ignored, Social Media is just like that.  A couple chapters that I found full of pertinent information were-III Why Social Media Marketing is Different, VII When You Arrive at the Party, Listen First and X The Pull Economy.

 I rate books with a $-$$$$$ rating based on how valuable the book is to my business and how valuable I feel it is to the audience.

  • $$$$$ means that the book is a must have for any library and a good book to refer to anytime you need sound advice
  • $$$$- means that the book is very good and worth reading
  • $$$- means there may be a few nuggets of information, and if you can't find something else to do go ahead and read this book
  • $$- do not waste your time
  • $- I am sorry I wasted my time and be thankful you saw this book report before wasting yours

I am giving this book $$$ because it is more focused on how Social Media Marketingcan help or hurt bigger businesses, this book may make sense for the Re/Max or Coldwell Banker marketing departments but it was not as relevant as I had hoped for the individual business-person/agent as I had hoped. Content is very good, but a little dated and if a newer edition of this book comes out I will definitely pick it up, if they release another version that is more focused on how individuals can utilize social media as a marketing tool this could easily rate $$$$-$$$$$. There is some very good info on blogging, videos, podcasts, viral marketing and plenty of social media do's and don'ts.

Posted by

 

John Marshall -Fore!

Low-Maintenance Golf Course Living

I have been involved in the Golf Communities through-out Colorado for the past several years. As a contributing writer for Colorado Golf Magazine I write articles regarding new course development and their surrounding communities.

720-982-6322

"A good agent will learn to dance to the clients music, but a great agent will write the music that attracts the clients he wants to dance with." John J Marshall

If you are a new agent and finding the road more difficult than you thought, please send me a note and I would be happy to help.

I enjoy helping agents to find their niche!

 I am happy to help.

Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Thanks for the review. I think I'll pass on this one and wait for the newer edition! :)))

Jan 09, 2011 04:14 PM
Tony Morganti
RE/MAX Crossroads in Cuyahoga Falls and Stow, Ohio - Cuyahoga Falls, OH
CRS, ABR, SRES - Cuyahoga Falls, Stow

John,

Thank you for the review and it sounds like these days when considering buying a book such as this it makes sense to first be sure it is a recent publish.  Still sounds like some good ideas.

Jan 09, 2011 04:20 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Nice post John, I will need to read the book so I can find some new gems to incorporate into my business.

Jan 09, 2011 04:22 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

John, It's interesting how fast social media changes that a book published two years ago seems outdated!

Jan 09, 2011 08:38 PM
John Marshall - FORE!
LoKation Real Estate - Cherry Hills Village, CO
Specializing in Golf Course Properties

Joni- Agreed, in fact we are living the newer edition here on Activerain.

Tony- I typically check a book out from the library first, if I feel it is a keeper, something I can use and will refer too over and over then I will buy it.

Jeffrey- You will no doubt be able to find some useful information

Pamela- Social media as well as technology, I read something a couple years ago as my second son entered college, the information the typical freshman learns will be irrelevant when they graduate. It is definitely a fast and ever changing world.

Jan 10, 2011 02:16 AM