The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users by Guy Kawasaki

I was excited by the readability of this book and the obvious practical wisdom regarding effective social media tactics. However, upon starting the book, I was immediately disappointed that, because I had the hardcover edition and not the digital version, I did not have access to the rich source of links available on just about every page of the book. I was so disappointed, in fact, that I tweeted the authors, Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick to complain using the hashtag #marketingploy?! Within 1 minute (and this is no exaggeration) both authors (or their representatives – I am under no illusions, but their Twitter “voices” certainly seemed authentic) had responded to me with a link to all the underlined URLs in the hardcover edition! I was impressed and amazed and both authors have gained a #fanforlife! 🙂

I’m bummed @GuyKawasaki & @PegFitzpatrick! Just started reading #ArtofSocialMedia & hate that I can’t access the hyperlinks! #marketingploy?

— Renate Flynn (@renate_flynn) January 28, 2015

@renate_flynn You can access the digital assets here: http://t.co/SrUug2pHc7 @GuyKawasaki

— Peg Fitzpatrick (@PegFitzpatrick) January 28, 2015

@renate_flynn @readinspiration Word file with links: https://t.co/Yu6fjflArH

— Guy Kawasaki (@GuyKawasaki) January 28, 2015

Thank you @GuyKawasaki!!! You & @PegFitzpatrick responded so quickly! I’m now doubly excited to read #ArtofSocialMedia! #appreciate!!!

— Renate Flynn (@renate_flynn) January 28, 2015

At its core The Art of Social Media seeks to provide doable, practical, and effective tips to assist us in beginning or improving any social media strategy. I have a travel blog and am creating a social media campaign to educate the public about nurse practitioners and know that I can easily apply many of the tips in this book to both branding strategies. It offers guidance for tackling all the major social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and even SlideShare. Of important note, if you are curious about extending your reach on Google+, this book will give you many great ideas about how to do just that. It seems to me that Google+ is still often left out when discussing social media strategy, but according to Kawasaki and Fitzgerald (two highly influential social media types who know these things) it’s a significant and important platform in its own right with unique characteristics the other platforms do not provide.

Because it is highly readable and very organized and not super-long and technical, I plan to return to this book often as I delve more deeply into the world of social media. Highly recommended!