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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's more than just circles: this book tells you how to reach people, December 25, 2011
I downloaded Google+ for Business on Christmas Day and read it on a long flight from Miami to Los Angeles. My initial motivation for picking it up wasn't so much to learn about Google+... I just enjoy reading Chris's blog and would happily pay for much of his free content. When I saw he had a new book out, I didn't have to think much about making a small purchase to support him. Nevertheless, my motivations weren't entirely altruistic: I've been using Google+ every day, and figured if I could learn even one thing from the book, it would be well worth the minor investment of time and money. Chris widely acknowledges the challenge of writing a traditionally published book about a rapidly changing software platform. With that in mind, he spends at least as much time explaining the "why" behind sharing content and cultivating a community. I especially liked a section on curation ("You are a magazine publisher") and the general theme of curiosity and gratitude that runs through the book. Want to be a rockstar on Google+? Be friendly and be helpful. Chris tells you how to do it. I don't think you should buy this book to learn how to put people in circles, although Chris certainly covers the basics for those who are truly new to Google+. Instead, you should buy this book to learn more about how people can connect and collaborate using new media. If you like Chris Brogan, if you enjoyed Trust Agents, or if you want to learn about a fun new platform, get the book. It's a short read that can make a big difference in your work.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, a book about social media that tells you HOW to do it, January 1, 2012
This review is from: Google+ for Business: How Google's Social Network Changes Everything (Paperback)
If you've picked up a book in the past about social media, hoping to learn how to use it in your business, you were probably disappointed. Most of them are fine books, but they are more about WHY than HOW, and so you finish them excited about the possibilities but with only vague ideas about what to do. It's frustrating. Google+ for Business is the opposite of that. I read it from cover to cover over the course of two days, and what impressed me about it is how actionable it is. Chris doesn't just give you general principles and strategies. He tells you exactly what to do. For instance, he breaks down different "Work Days" for different types of people, such as restaurant owners, authors, real estate agents, salespeople, and so on, and then he gives a breakdown of exactly what they should be doing every day and why. If you're struggling to visualize exactly how Google+ fits into your marketing strategy, this gives you a concrete picture. Also, the book is loaded with examples. Instead of just talking about how to set up your profile, Chris gives you examples of profiles he considers well done. Instead of just telling you how to set up your Circles, Chris tells you how he set up his circles. Instead of just handing you a general marketing strategy, he outlines how several real-life businesses, including a car dealer, are using it to make sales. In a world where everything is virtual, it's refreshingly real. No, you're probably not going to learn a lot if you're already an expert on social media, but if you're a beginner looking for a guide to help you get started, this is a good book to pick up.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tactical, practical social media marketing advice from a guy who knows what he's talking about,, January 18, 2012
This review is from: Google+ for Business: How Google's Social Network Changes Everything (Paperback)
Length:: 3:33 Mins
Google+ is the latest social network to threaten to change the world. In fact, the sub-title of Chris Brogan's new book is "How Google's Social Network Changes Everything". That's going a bit far but I'm no stranger to grand book titles myself, and I think that Chris is on the right track: Google+ is a game-changer, at least for social media marketers. I like this book a lot and I recommend it to you if you are interested in learning more about Google+. It's helpful strategically to understand the reasons why Chris and I both think Google+ is a "really big deal" and because it's full of useful advice for using the social network for business effectively. Here's what I like about Google+ for Business: How Google's Social Network Changes Everything: - Chris Brogan writes just like he talks. This is a good thing because in person Chris is friendly, casual, and informative. That makes the book easy and quick to read. - He makes a great case for why Google+ is important, even if it's not yet anywhere close to the size of Facebook. (Hint: It's part of Google!) - The book emphasizes what you can do and what you should do - not just theory. This includes tips on how to put your About page to good use with an interesting bio, contact info and even a call to action, for example. - My favorite parts are the 6 profiles of how real people use Google+ in their daily work, plus 6 more typical personas that show how you might arrange your own personal workflow to include successful Google+ brand-building. The biggest surprise about the book is how short it is. I was surprised when I opened the envelope at how skinny is (at least compared to my books). With this book's focus on just one subject, however, its 160 pages are just about right for quickly communicating the key points needed. My verdict: Tactical, practical social media marketing advice from a guy who knows what he's talking about. Especially if you are new to Google+ or still wondering how or if you should get involved, I recommend Google+ for Business. Changing everything?? Not sure yet but maybe...
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