El Zen Del Social Media Marketing

by Shama Kabani

Las costumbres de los consumidores han cambiado. La comunicación ha cambiado. Incluso el marketing ha cambiado. Internet está en medio de un continuo cambio. Por eso, resulta imprescindible saber cómo moverse en un mundo gobernado por los Social Media para tener éxito en los negocios.

Este libro logra encontrar un punto de equilibrio y nos muestra cómo conseguir que las Redes Sociales trabajen a nuestro favor. Su autora está considerada una chamán del marketing online por medios tan prestigiosos como Entrepreneur, Fast Company, The New York Times, The Huffington Post o The Wall Street Journal.

Aprenderá cómo funcionan los Social Media y cómo usarlos para desviar tráfico a su sitio Web. Encontrará valiosos consejos de emprendedores de éxito y muchísimos trucos para conseguir optimizar su tiempo al máximo y sacarle todo el partido a su estrategia de marketing. Prologado por Chris Brogan, coautor del bestseller mundial Trust Agents

Genres: Business, Social Media, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Computers, Audiobook, Music

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Scott Dinsmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by: Scott Dinsmore of ReadingForYourSuccess (http://www.readingforyoursuccess.com)

Average Reading Time: 6 minutes

Who’s a bit confused on how to get 140 characters working for you and your brand? My hand’s up.

At least it was until I finished up Shama’s new book, The Zen of Social Media Marketing. I have been aggressively learning about social media marketing for the last few months and I was still having trouble connecting the dots.

Shama got me excited to the point that I started making changes before I finished the first couple chapters. On top of that, Twitter finally is starting to make sense. And it actually is useful. And she more than fully covers the others as well: Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs and video. In fact my last couple articles got more Facebook and Twitter mentions than the previous ones combined. I love immediate results.

I used to refuse to “waste” my time on social networking sites. But before long it was too hard to resist. I couldn’t look at a website without being bombarded with it. So this year I made it a goal to become an inbound marketing/social media marketing expert. Then I realized that was shooting a little high… So I changed it to “start becoming an social media expert.” The learning curve has been steep and amazing.

The more I learn, the more I realize that the leverage of these social networks is unreal. Forget the fact that it’s a fun way to connect to friends and network. The leverage you can get on your exposure is something that I believe is going to be the primary way to market a business (or yourself) in the years to come. Just in a few months of putting this stuff to work on ReadingForYourSuccess, I have seen a 300-400% increase in traffic and almost as big of an increase in my subscribers.

The beauty of it: it’s not costing me a dime. That’s why it works. People are connecting with each other because they actually want to. Everyone gets value from the connections. This isn’t the type of exposure you can buy. You must participate and be genuinely interested in adding value to the networks in order to experience the leverage. But do this and it will be massive. It’s no different than deciding to add value to every one of your in-person interactions… which I hope we all have as a goal.

With social media, as with anything else, success comes from putting in more than you take out. The next stage of marketing and positioning will be in adding genuine value to the people you come across. The smoke and mirrors of traditional methods is working less and less (not to mention entrepreneurs can’t afford it). Those who are prevailing are the ones who actually care and who are indeed finding their own social media marketing zen.

Shama’s book serves as an ideal how-to book for those brand new to the space and it also provided plenty of new ideas despite what I’ve learned over the past months. When done reading, I ended up with 25+ action items for ReadingForYourSuccess. Then I logged onto the book’s companion site to find an awesomely helpful Workbook and followon resources. This is about as much handholding as you can get without Shama showing up on your doorstep. Although with how responsive she was to my tweets and emails, I wouldn’t be surprised if she did.

10 Most Powerful Marketing Zen Take-Aways:

1. Create a strategy. Social media can absolutely kill your productivity if you just surf around all day. Set up time limits and boundaries for how you’ll spend your time. Limit yourself to 30 minutes a day for all networks. Remember these should leverage your time. Spend much more and the leverage may reverse. And you certainly don’t want to get too caught up in the chatter.

2. Have Simple Daily Routines: This is how you execute on your strategy. Shama suggests simple daily social media interactions of wishing your friends happy birthday, posting a useful link or two, update your status in a fun way and check to see if there are any comments worth responding to. This should take all of 10 minutes. She also has great weekly and monthly routines for each network.

3. Use Tweet Deck. The head of marketing for a hot tech company in Santa Barbara turned me onto this a few days before picking up the book. Then Shama added fuel to the fire. This is a killer time saver app. It allows you to see all Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Status updates without all the other distractions. You can set up specific lists and search terms for your favorite tweeps and quickly submit status updates without getting caught up by all the other things on the network’s website like pictures and videos. Very cool tool.

4. Add Value. The social networking system will only work as long as each member continues to add value to the network. If you are not adding value, chances are that the leverage isn’t working for you either. Don’t make a big deal about it though. For many people, all the value they need to receive is an unexpected smile, laugh or comment. If you are constantly promoting your own brand and site, you will miss the train.

5. Set Limits. This might sound a bit repetitive but it’s crucial. The average person spends way too much time on these networks. Set limits. If you don’t, you will drain your day. This is of course assuming you have something better to do than connecting online. If you’re not sure what, go out and meet someone face to face the good old fashioned way. These networks can’t do it all.

6. Add New Connections After Each Event. The moment you get back from a networking event or anytime you meet some new people, go through all the business cards you have and send them friend requests. This becomes the perfect rolodex. And it will even remember their birthdays.

7. Own Your Own Domain Name. If you don’t already own your own domain name then go out and buy it. Set it to forward to your Facebook or LinkedIn profile, or your personal website. I own www.ScottDinsmore.com as well as a few others and they all forward to ReadingForYourSuccess. Don’t miss a chance to build your brand. Get your name before someone else does.

8. Think Like a User First and a Marketer Second. This goes with adding value. Think of what your readers would find benefit in reading or learning. Provide those links to your network. Offer this benefit and the marketing will come naturally. Think like a marketer and your network will lose interest.

9. Help Others Promote Their Stuff. As long as their content is useful, don’t be shy about sharing it. It has felt amazing when I’ve seen someone promote an article of mine for no apparent reason. I love doing it for others too. Being part of a community means supporting the other members. It’s much more fun this way.

10. Be Authentic and Be Human. Show your colors a bit. People want to get to know a person, not some brand name. Talk about your life. Post some pictures and open up.

Social media is not just for promoting yourself; it’s about communication with your audience. Add some value.
Many people have yet to dive into social media due to fear of being overwhelmed. It’s a very real possibility if you don’t have a plan. Shama does an awesome job of making it manageable and approachable. I’d even say exciting. In the process she’s made herself a pretty impressive model to follow. And she’s more than eager to help you on your journey.

It’s a given that this is a must-read topic for entrepreneurs and marketers. But I see it as required reading for all of us…No joke. You can’t be asleep at the social media switch if you want to sincerely have an impact. Look around. What known brand, charity or figure does not have a Facebook page or Twitter handle?

It’s no longer ok to say you don’t get it and it’s not worth your time. I assure you it is. Maybe to help your division at work, or the spread awareness for your own business, or the charity you volunteer for or maybe just to continue molding the way the world perceives you.

There is not one of us who doesn’t have a massively important brand to promote and position–Your own. There’s nothing more crucial to get right than Brand You. There has never been a time where so much free leverage existed for promoting your values and those of your business. All you have to do is be interested enough to use it.

Whether you do something about it or not, social media will shape your brand. Manage your reputation before someone else does. I know you’ll have a ton of fun doing it. I hope this gets you started.

How has social media marketing affected your personal brand or business? What have you found to be your most useful tactics? Share with us below.

If you liked this article, please get social with it and Tweet about it or tell your friends on Facebook using the links below. I’d appreciate it.

Read more inspiring articles from Scott Dinsmore at Reading For Your Success where he is committed to making your life and career a success through "action-based reading". Subscribe here to Scott's future articles. http://www.readingforyoursuccess.com



Other books and articles you might enjoy:

Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media and Blogs

How to Not Get Caught Up in the Chatter

Shama’s Website: The Marketing Zen Group

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I feel that Kabani rehashed the basics of social media without providing much, if any, new insight. “The Zen of Social Media” seemed like more of a instruction manual for creating profiles on social networks instead of a marketing guide. Many of the ideas throughout the book relied on common sense. For example, it is common sense for a brand to post regular updates on social networking sites. It would have been a better reading experience if Kabani had gone as far as explaining the types of updates people seem to respond to and bring a bit more of a human aspect into it.

To me, the highlight of “The Zen of Social Media” was the workbook provided online. It is a nice workbook that gets the user thinking critically about what they want to achieve by using social media. The workbook gives tasks such as, “How will you measure your social media marketing efforts?” and “List three goals you want to accomplish using social media marketing.” While the workbook does not provide the sought after analysis and case studies, it does get the user to take a step back and think about their motives for using social media, which is always useful. I feel as if “The Zen of Social Media” would have been more effective as a whole if it was set up more like the workbook.

Despite its flaws, “The Zen of Social Media” has only enhanced my interest in working with social media from a marketing standpoint. The constant changing creates an always evolving workplace. Although I have been critical about “The Zen of Social Media,” there are some nuggets of helpful information in there.
There is one passage that I wish had been focused on more throughout the book: “So much of social media is about building relationships and leveraging word of mouth. Sometimes a consumer has to hear about you ten times before he or she will buy” (p. 141-142). I do not think the goal here is to get people to post the same message ten times on different social networking sites. I am afraid that novice people who are looking to “The Zen of Social Media” for guidance may just take exactly that away from this book. I think Kabani has some really good ideas, they just were not executed very well. Perhaps it would have been more effective in an online only version that could be updated regularly. The three main points Kabani wanted the readers to focus on were: Strategize first, be human, and have patience. Overall, I wish these aspects were weaved more thoroughly throughout the book. If “The Zen of Social Media” had focused on these aspects, like I think the goal was, it could have been great.

[Blog on Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the short history of Blog on Books, we have come across all variety of social media guidebooks. Some (like Twitter Power) are so basic as to be only useful for first time followers, while others (Brian Solis’ ‘Engage’) are rather advanced and best used by those who have a serious and broad company-wide agenda to pursue the full range of social marketing possibilities (many of which have yet to be fully vetted, of course.)

Now we have Shama Kabani’s ‘The Zen of Social Media Marketing’; a book that picks up on a new theme within the social media community which is: it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it that matters most and while Kabani (one of Business Week’s 2009 ‘25 under 25′ entrepreneurs to watch) is not obsessed with etiquette the way some social media progenitors are, there is still enough here to steer one in the right direction.

The crux of ‘Zen’ is really a roadmap of the various mainstream options available to the social networked marketeer presented in a way that lays out most everything you need to know for a working relationship to the various tools of the trade, while at the same time, trying to avoid going down the rabbit hole of endless features that can actually stymie even the best of marketing plans on the web. In other words, get the balance right.

It is in this regard that Kabani’s work is well recommended, not for the novice per se, but for individuals or organizations who want to achieve a well balanced integration of the various tools and platforms available now to get the message out to their customers, fans, etc. It’s placement in the middle of the pack is, ironically, what makes it succeed.

To see how Shama Kabani uses social media marketing for her own projects, take a look at her book website here of her main site, Marketing Zen.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is billed as the last social media guide you'll ever need. I don't know if I'd go as far as that, but I will say the free online updates to the book do make it a very reasonable book and a very helpful one as well. What makes this book most valuable is that the author writes about social media marketing and social media policies. The chapters on the big three social networking sites are good, but I like how she explains the marketing piece of social media and the importance of having a policy, which is something only a couple of other books do.

I'll admit, I'd have liked to have seen some focus on social media etiquette (she mentions a couple tidbits) and also some focus on social media for networking and customer service purposes. Also the author mainly focuses on the big three social networking sites and video marketing, but doesn't touch much on blogs, internet radio, social review sites, social coupon sites, etc., all of which are an essential part of social media marketing.

Overall though this is one of the better books on social media marketing and one I recommend you keep on hand. The free online updates definitely help and its clear the author knows what she's talking about.

[Luisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was expecting more tools to get started / enhance my skills in social media. This book sounded promising but it is too superficial to really add to what anyone with min. awareness should already know.

[Sary Abu Nijem · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a social media savvy, you would know pretty much what this book has covered...
Nothing really interesting... I think this shall be for beginner who never used any social media platform to give them a conception..

[Chavi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too basic for Gen Y.
You don't have to convince us that Social Media is a necessary medium. That's why we're reading your book. And we know how to set up a Facebook page.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got questions? This book just might have the answer. I usually recommend this book to friends, who don't want to hire a social media guru.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book would be good for those who have NO social media knowledge. Most of the book was about starting a Facebook page and Twitter account, which is nothing new to me. I wish there had been more marketing strategies than there actually were. Some of the marketing info was helpful, but I didn't need to relearn social media platform basics which is what a majority of the book was.

[Jacque Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be referencing this book from time to time. Even though so much has changed with social media lately, the concepts still ring true. This book will work for any type of business, including the business of writing!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic beginner level stuff. No new information. Written for someone who has never used social media for marketing. Would be useful for a newb though. Referenced appendix visual material which is useless in audiobook format.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Aanchaqua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is recommended for beginners starting to turn to social media. However, I think the book is now outdated as it discusses the basics of media platforms which generally we all know.

[Claudette · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Audiobook) This book was a bit outdated. It badly needs an update. The book refers to Youtube nearly folding because Google couldn't make any profit. Look at it now!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packed w/valuable info despite it's age. Great view into the early days of social media marketing...much of this is still true today!

[Bridie D · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel the information was very drawn out and was more like a collection of blog posts and recycled mini-marketing strategies.

This book is essentially regurgitated information you can find with minimal effort online in piffier form.

I was hoping to find new solutions to my social media marketing woes but unfortunately I’ll have to look elsewhere.

[Alain Burrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Zen Of Social Media Marketing: An Easier Way to Build Credibility, Generate Buzz, and Increase Revenue" by Shama Hyder Kabani is a very informative and easy to follow book on using the various social media opportunities for marketing. The author shares the benefits of social media marketing as well as tips on how to do it, and just as important, tips on what not to do. While the word "zen" has become a bit overused when dealing with things not really related to zen, that should not make purists avoid this book. For those that the word "zen" attracts, and I'll admit I fall into that group, this book might be just what you are looking for if you desire to implement social media marketing into your marketing campaign. It probably won't be the only book on social media you'll want to read, but there is an updated version of the book on-line to keep you abreast of new developments and strategies. (I have not checked out the website yet.)

The book starts with some online marketing basics that are good for anyone to know as online marketing becomes more and more the way to promote businesses, organizations, and just about anything else. There is then a short chapter on websites, blogs and search engine optimization, or SEO. Again, just some basics, but important basics at that. There is then a chapter that introduces social media marketing and points out the big three sites to be involved with are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The next three chapters focus on these big three. There is a chapter each on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Each of these chapters provides some very good advice on using these sites to build community and a following. Kabani shares ways to use each of these sites for marketing and the differences in them.

Chapter seven delves into using video on the Internet and how it is becoming more and more used for marketing. The chapter is written by Dave Kaminski of Web Video University. He provides some basics in this guest chapter and presents a good reason to look to this media to be included in your overall marketing campaign.

Chapter eight focuses on creating a social media policy for your organization, and it provides some good things to think about when entering into this area. The final chapter gives a few more tools for attracting business. The book then contains a question and answer section and some case studies from actual businesses that use these strategies.

This book is for anyone wanting to better use social media in their marketing. I'd suggest that it be one of the books you read in this area. There are other books out there that focus on different aspects that are not found here. The strategies and suggestions that are in this book will undoubtedly help people use these sites to better connect with and attract people to their businesses and organizations. However, many will want more. I think it is a good book to have in your social media references and will use it and others to use online marketing more effectively.

[Book Calendar · Rating 4 out of 5]

the zen of social media marketing An Easier Way to Build Credibility, Generate Buzz, and Increase Revenue by Shama Hyder Kabani.



This is very much a motivational book combined with a social media book. It is designed to convince you to go out and join social sites. The first part very much feels like a motivational speech.


After the initial pep talk, when the writing starts to describe social media sites, it becomes quite practical. The book focuses on three main sites, Twitter, Linked In, and Facebook. The writing convinced me to update my Facebook profile as well as my Linked In profile. It has clear steps on what to do and what to avoid without any pie in the sky promises.


It does not just cover pure social media sites. It also reminds you that if you are in social media you should take the time to learn how to include digital photography and digital video. Podcasting and pictures are very important to build an online social presence. The pep talk was convincing enough for me to consider getting a digital camera as a first step.

Shama Hyder Kabani includes a lot of screen captures of pages from Twitter, Facebook, and Linked In to show you what she is doing with the social sites. The descriptions are extremely easy to follow. They also lead to a very clean, professional look.

Because this book is very much a business book, she also discusses policies for using social media inside companies as well as gives a number of two page case studies of how people successfully improved their business with social media.


The motivation to convince me to update my site was useful. The description of how to use the tools was at a beginners level. This would be useful for someone starting out in social media. I recommend this as an introduction to using social media for business. The author clearly has a fairly large online presence.

Shama Hyder Kabani is using her book to sell her social media business. The motivational style with a strong sense of sweetness might not be for everyone. I found it interesting and very convincing. http://zenofsocialmedia.com/

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the short history of Blog on Books, we have come across all variety of social media guidebooks. Some (like Twitter Power) are so basic as to be only useful for first time followers, while others (Brian Solis’ ‘Engage’) are rather advanced and best used by those who have a serious and broad company-wide agenda to pursue the full range of social marketing possibilities (many of which have yet to be fully vetted, of course.)

Now we have Shama Kabani’s ‘The Zen of Social Media Marketing’; a book that picks up on a new theme within the social media community which is: it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it that matters most and while Kabani (one of Business Week’s 2009 ‘25 under 25′ entrepreneurs to watch) is not obsessed with etiquette the way some social media progenitors are, there is still enough here to steer one in the right direction.

'The crux of ‘Zen’ is really a roadmap of the various mainstream options available to the social networked marketeer presented in a way that lays out most everything you need to know for a working relationship to the various tools of the trade, while at the same time, trying to avoid going down the rabbit hole of endless features that can actually stymie even the best of marketing plans on the web. In other words, get the balance right.

It is in this regard that Kabani’s work is well recommended, not for the novice per se, but for individuals or organizations who want to achieve a well balanced integration of the various tools and platforms available now to get the message out to their customers, fans, etc. It’s placement in the middle of the pack is, ironically, what makes it succeed.

[Jeff Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most amazing book. Delightful in fact.

How appropriate that Shama and I met on twitter? I have had the privilege of watching her career evolve over the last few years and I can assure you that the purchase of her book is a sound investment in your future. At retail of $16.95USD I can also assure you that she will not get rich from royalties!

A "must own" for the small business owner or entrepreneur that alone must fashion their SocMedia efforts. There is a lot of material and yet Shama covers it quickly and thoroughly. Much I already knew. However, there is some great insight into facebook that I simply had not considered. That chapter alone would be worth the cover price. Or the one on twitter. Or the chapter on LinkedIn. Or the Case Studies.

Get the idea?

I expect this book alone to double my SocMedia effectiveness in the next 90 days. How many other books can make that claim? Too few (of course, my own Purple Curve Effect does come to mind). {grin}

The AHA Zen Moments are a nice touch. And the mnemonics like ACT and BOD help drive home critical components of the framework that have elevated Shama into that rarefied atmosphere where she was named, "One of BusinessWeek's 25 Under 25 Entrepreneurs for 2009."

Having trouble making sense of SocMedia?

You are not alone.

The answer is close as the nearest bookstore.

[Maria Gebhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has lots of great tips and information for anyone who is interested in starting or improving their social media efforts. It helps you to:
- Understand that social media is a consumer-based platform – not a marketer’s
- Realize that users participate and control this type of media
- Learn the “mind-set of people who are using social media”

The author also discusses her ACT Methodology: Attract – Convert – Transform.

She also provides some great website tips:
- Website – 1/20 of a second for the user to judge your website
- Websites must educate, market and sell
- Site architecture – Each web page needs a unique title and less than
65 characters
- Don’t forget SEO with you ALT tags for images
- SEO – think about what words your customers are searching for? (I don’t think most people take the time to do that)

Facebook Tips:
- Use photos
- Ask users to like (example that asking users to like a post can increase interaction by 216%)

3 Main Points to Remember for Social Media:

1 – Strategize first before you even make your first post. Map out what you want to accomplish.

2 – Be human – social media is all about people.

3 – Have patience – remember that social media is a long-term strategy. Don’t expect immediate results.

She also provides some great tips for LinkedIn as well as using videos.

[Ange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you ever read a book and think, "Gosh, this would be great for (insert certain type or person's name here)?" You liked the book enough, but for some reason it didn't resonate completely with you or impress you much. You wanted to like it. You really gave it your best, but deep down, the book was not a fit for you?

The Zen of Social Media Marketing is something I would recommend for the beginner in social media marketing, a savvy business person with a propensity for how-to education and very little knowledge of marketing or social media. As for me, having worked in marketing and using the various social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+) often, I really didn't glean much from this book. I mean, really, you're going to tell us how to use Facebook? I know there's a demographic for this book, but it certainly wasn't me!

All that said, it was an easy read and it didn't eat up too much time. It provided me with good examples and screen shots and case studies, so had I been a beginner, I would have found it all very helpful and rewarding. All in all, I wish I would have been able to invest my money in something a bit more up to speed with a seasoned marketing agent. Sometimes veterans like to learn something new too!

[Starbubbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone has said before me, this one is perfect for someone else. It was tough separating the business from personal advice. As soon as I would think this is mainly for how to do personal accounts, Shama would switch to strictly business. I picked this up because I had wanted to expand the social media presence of a library I volunteer for. This has done the opposite of its goal; I don't think I want to do that for them. It came off as a lot for someone who hasn't done this kind of social media in over 5 years. Shama discussed a lot about the set-up and make-up of these sites, but not that much for how to find and utilize key search words. I recognize that here is no way for her to know all the words for each industry, plus they would change often. She also did not discuss poor execution other than the loss of following. She basically had the theory that once set up; it takes little time to maintain and therefore is no excuse to not have a presence. I would have to disagree. Depending on the size of your organization, you might literary not have the time. I can also speak from experience with this site; it is not a 5 minute in and out deal. All in all, the information is fine, for probably someone else.

[Marc]

Reading this book, it is hard to imagine that the first edition of this book was written by a - then - recent college grad. In just a few short years, Shama Kabani has gone from her dorm room to becoming a rising star in a very exclusive club of "real-deal" Social Media Marketing guru's.

As an author, Shama demonstrates a terrific understanding of Social Media and how it is best used by most marketers. The latter expertise amazed me since she is so young and seemingly still "wet behind the ears" in today's complex business world. To her credit, she has demonstrated that she is a quick study as a business-neophyte. She gets it.

The downside of Kabani's book is that alot of her overviews, regarding Social Networks, are already outdated. This can not be helped, since these platforms are evolving, daily. Constant changes will require that there be frequent updates of her book - which is not a bad thing, as we will be able to observe this brilliant young author's continued grow as a business professional.

[loafingcactus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic, is-it-plugged-in level instructions for how to do social media. If you want to get started and don't know what to do next, this book will do.

If you want to understand *why* you should and you just don't "get" social media at all, this is not the book for you. Instead read The Hyper-Social Organization: Eclipse Your Competition by Leveraging Social Media

If you need in depth advice on how to do social media, this is also not the book. Instead read Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, eBooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a very informing and enlightening book on Social Media Marketing. The problem I have is the badge on the cover that says "The Last Social Media Guide You'll Ever Need . . . with Continuous Online Updates!"

Shama has already published a new edition of this book, and there does not seem to be update links available on the website for those of us who must have bought the last copies of this edition, with the promise that we would be updated, continuously.

Here's the deal . . . Don't make promises you can't or won't keep!

Shama is very knowledgable in this field. She has also invited others, in segments of this topic where she is not totally knowledgable, to write these sections and inform the rest of us! I enjoyed the book, but, was aware that some of the information was dated. I felt vindicated, however, because of the promise of "online updates". Not the way we should be taught to entice the buyers to buy.

[Othón A. León · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a precious book about "how to" on today's new marketing environment... Shama Hyder Kabani (now a connection via LinkedIn... meaning she "walks the talk") makes an exceptional work at describing why you can't miss this trend, no matter your condition or business activity. By the same token, she takes the reader by the hand into the details of the three main social media marketing sites: Facebook, Tweeter and LinkedIn where Shama underlines the importance of marketing technological innovation and video communication through the web and the importance of this last even in the present moment. Another aspect that I very much valued in her book is the reflections she makes on social media policies for both, individuals and companies... do you and / or your organization have one in place by the way? are you aware of the risks you face if you don't adopt one for each case? This is a book that completed my education on social media marketing that I strongly recommend.

[Adam Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it was my first foray into the world of social media marketing and while maybe not complex enough for people who have read other books or done research on the topic it was exactly what i needed to gain an understanding of different principles that apply with social media marketing.

I found really useful the do's and don't for each of the social media platforms and blogs and also the case studies at the rear of the book. Both of these showed in practical terms how to go about social media marketing.

I will now look to find a book which may be more advance and expand my horizon in the world of social media marketing.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars. I think for someone who has little to no knowledge of social media marketing or marketing in general this book was a great choice. If you already have subject knowledge this book might fail to meet your expectations.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading social media marketing books for about a year, and most of them over-promise and under-deliver. This one is different. For the first time, I feel like I "get" it.
It's filled with no-nonsense, practical tips that actually work instead of pie-in-the-sky talk about what social media "can" do.
I started reading the ebook on an airplane, and wasn't quite done when the plane landed -- so I made my husband drive, so I could finish it. If you'd ever ridden with my husband, you'd know that meant I just didn't want to stop reading.
If you want a step-by-step guide to what to do -- and what to avoid -- this is the book for you. I've been a marketer for a long time, so I have some habits to unlearn according to this author. She explained why in a way I can understand, so I might actually follow her advice.

[Dharmamitra Jeff Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly Recommend to Anyone In Business, with a Website, or Blog, or E-Commerce, marketing, Web Design, Web Development, IT, or Modern Business, in General! The BEST if its Kind! 3.5-4 STARS, a Little Cheesy and Offensive "ZEN" References. Jumping On The Band-Wagon of Zen Marketing. (The Author's Web Marketing Business is Called: "The Zen Marketing Group" (BLAH! LAME!)
But that's why I made a Book Shelf, "Don't Judge By Its Cover" You Can Learn the Deeper, Broader Perspective of Social Media and Other Aspects of Web Marketing in a Short Time, (Compared to the Year of Over 40 hours/week that I did, in order to Learn this the Hard Way... BEFORE Reading the book.) BUT, I can say from Experience, with Certainty and implementing her fundamentals, that she is Spot-On! And she doe Not take herself Too Damn Seriously, Neither Should you.. or the Title.