Some further reading which might be useful to businesses starting out in social media, this is a quick way to find some of our more “back to basics” blog posts and resources from other sites. While you’re looking, why not subscribe to our RSS feed (it’s on the bottom left of this page, below the Amazon reading list) to get regular blog updates direct to your reader or inbox?
The Absolute Basics
It’s just a communications channel – or, why SMEs shouldn’t just write social media off;
But what do we do with it?! Part one, Marketing
But what do we do with it?! Part two – Real-time communication
But what do we do with it?! Part three – Getting in on the conversation
USEFUL RESOURCES
Business Social Media Landscape – a visual summary of the key social media platforms. Simplified to focus on the key platforms that may be relevant for B2B or B2C uses. Based on previous work by Brian Solis, Ross Dawson and others.
Recommended websites & blogs
The official Facebook blog – new developments, hints and tips
Facebook for Businesses – Facebook’s own guide to small business marketing
Mashable’s complete Twitter guidebook (excellent but do set aside a couple of days of your life for this one!)
Smedio – New Media & Social Web guide for business & marketers
Social Media Examiner – includes lots of great “how to” guides
A great collection of Case Studies demonstrating social media ROI
Our YouTube channel has a collection of useful / interesting / funny social media related videos.
Recommended Reading
As well as setting up a personal Facebook and Twitter account, we recommend the following books as fantastic reading prior to any of our social media courses, or to anyone looking to understand the significance of social media:
The Zen of Social Media Marketing – Shama Kabani
Socialnomics – How Social Media transforms the way we live and do business – Erik Qualman