The Zen Of Social Media Marketing: Book Review

Chances are, if you are a regular reader of Marketing Tips For Authors, then the subject of today's book review is one that you have spent many hours thinking about. Shama Hyder, founder of Click to Client, a full-service online marketing firm, has written The Zen Of Social Media Marketing. This 103 page e-book defines the realities of the social media sites and claims that once you understand the "Zen" of social media marketing, it becomes truly effortless.

Shama approaches the subject by laying out a case for being involved with social media marketing. She does a masterful job at taking this concept and presenting it in a way that even the most inexperienced online marketer can understand. The foundation she builds in the first 22 pages thoroughly prepares the readers for the practical tips that follow in the remainder of the book.

In fact, where many authors who write on this subject do a good job at either helping the reader understand the "whys" of social media marketing, or understanding the "hows" of social media marketing, Shama expertly marries the two in her book. The reader will "close" the virtual covers of this book with not only a game plan in place for their online marketing plan, but they will understand why it will work. This extra bit of knowledge will help readers adapt the technology to their circumstances.

Rather than giving a shopping list of all the places where the reader can create an online social media presence, The Zen Of Social Media Marketing focuses on four areas and dives into how to adapt them to a marketing plan. The four area are:

• Facebook
  
• Twitter
  
• Linked-In
  
• Videos
  

Other sites are peppered throughout, but these four areas make up the meat of the book. Shama spells out what advantages each can have for you and presents a list of "Do's and Don'ts" for each area. If you do not have a presence on these four areas, then The Zen Of Social Media Marketing will take away the apprehension you may be feeling about taking the plunge into social media marketing. If you do have a presence on these areas, you will undoubtedly walk away with a load of tips on how you can better leverage these online sites in your marketing plan. The book ends with Shama tying everything together and the book has a practical Q&A section that rounds off the knowledge presented throughout. To help you better understand how the principles laid out in the book can be applied in real-life, Shama includes a list of detailed case studies. On her opening claim that once you understand the "Zen" of social media marketing, it becomes truly effortless, Shama delivers on the money. This book will help you make the leap to social media marketing while having an expert hold your hand via the book. If you are looking for a resource to: A. Help you understand what Social Media Marketing is B. Guide you through the maze of getting started then you need to pick up a copy of The Zen Of Social Media Marketing today.

Tony Eldridge