Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your Business to Everyone. [Hardcover]

Mitch Joel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2009

Is it important to be connected? Well, consider this: If Facebook were a country, it would have the sixth largest population in the world.

The truth is, we no longer live in a world of six degrees of separation. In fact, we're now down to only six pixels of separation, which changes everything we know about doing business.

This is the first book to integrate digital marketing, social media, personal branding, and entrepreneurship in a clear, entertaining, and instructive manner that everyone can understand and apply.


Through the use of timely case studies and fascinating stories, SIX PIXELS OF SEPARATION offers a complete set of the latest tactics, insights, and tools that will empower you to reach a global audience and consumer base-and, best yet, you can do this pretty much for free. Digital marketing expert Mitch Joel unravels this fascinating world of new media-but does so with a brand-new perspective that is driven by compelling results. The smarter entrepreneurs and top executives are leveraging these digital channels to get their voice "out there"-connecting with others, becoming better community citizens, and, ultimately, making strategic business moves that are increasing revenue, awareness, and overall success in the marketplace-without the support of traditional mass media.

Everyone is connected. Isn't it time for you and your company to connect to everyone? SIX PIXELS OF SEPARATION will show you how.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A digital marketing maven who parlayed a podcast into a thriving career, Joel extends the notion of human interconnectedness by six degrees to the virtual world. With abundant Internet social networking sites and mobile texting, we are all intrinsically connected, he argues in this accessible primer to capitalizing on connections to increase brand awareness. New breeds of entrepreneurs are being created daily, he asserts, using free publishing tools available on the Internet to create brands and develop audiences on a scale that rivals the biggest firms in the world. Joel cites such success stories as Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library, who transformed his parents' New Jersey liquor store from a $4 million business to a $45 million one in five years by connecting to Facebook and Twitter and creating a video podcast to lure customers. More than a mere collection of inspirational case studies, the book offers practical advice, from choosing a catchy blog name to tips on Web presentation. Joel has created an eminently readable guide to harnessing the various tools available across the virtual landscape. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Mitch Joel is President of Twist Image - an award-winning Digital Marketing and Communications agency. In 2008, Mitch was named Canada's Most Influential Male in Social Media, one of the top 100 online marketers in the world, and was awarded the highly-prestigious Canada's Top 40 Under 40.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Business Plus; First Edition edition (September 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446548235
• ISBN-13: 978-0446548236
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #474,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When Google wanted to explain online marketing to the top brands in the world, they brought Mitch Joel to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. Mitch Joel is President of Twist Image - a digital marketing and communications agency. Marketing Magazine dubbed him the "Rock Star of Digital Marketing" and called him, "one of North America's leading digital visionaries." In 2006 he was named one of the most influential authorities on Blog Marketing in the world. Mitch Joel is President of Twist Image - an award-winning Digital Marketing and Communications agency (although he prefers the title, Media Hacker). He has been called a marketing and communications visionary, interactive expert and community leader. He is also a Blogger, Podcaster, passionate entrepreneur and speaker who connects with people worldwide by sharing his marketing insights on digital marketing and new media. In 2008, Mitch was named Canada's Most Influential Male in Social Media, one of the top 100 online marketers in the world, and was awarded the highly prestigious Canada's Top 40 Under 40. Most recently, Mitch was named one of iMedia's 25 Internet Marketing Leaders and Innovators in the world. Marketing Magazine has named Twist Image one of the Top 10 agencies in Canada for two years running (and the only digital marketing pure-play to make the list).

Joel is the Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Marketing Association and a former Board Member of the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada. He has been involved with the content committee for both Shop.org and the Web Analytics Association, and is on the advisory council for many businesses and charitable organizations.

Joel speaks frequently to diverse groups like Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Nestle, Procter and Gamble, Unilever and has shared the stage with former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson, Malcolm Gladwell, Anthony Robbins, Tom Peters and Dr. Phil. As a professional speaker, Mitch is represented exclusively by Greater Talent Network in the U.S. and by Speaker's Spotlight in Canada.

Joel is frequently called upon to be a subject matter expert for, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, Marketing Magazine, Profit, Strategy, Money, The Globe & Mail and many other media outlets. His newspaper business column, New Business - Six Pixels of Separation, runs bi-monthly in both The Montreal Gazette and Vancouver Sun and he also has a regular column, Media Hacker, on The Huffington Post. His first book, Six Pixels of Separation (published by Grand Central Publishing - Hachette Book Group), named after his successful Blog and Podcast is a business and marketing bestseller. His next book, CTRL ALT DEL, (also published by Grand Central Publishing) will be coming out in Spring 2013.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#60 in Kindle eBooks > Business & Investing

#66 in Books > Business & Investing

#60 in Kindle eBooks > Business & Investing

#66 in Books > Business & Investing

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a howto book July 10, 2009

By Noname TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This is a book for someone who is unfamiliar with the internet. There are terrific tips scattered throughout, some of which I could really use. My problem with it is that a huge chunk of space is devoted to convincing the reader how important the internet is, how useful it can be in creating a successful business model in this new and exciting digital world. I already know I want to create a presence. I think anyone who picks up this book already knows s/he wants to create a presence. The question is how, but this is not a howto book.

Mitch Joel throws out a bunch of examples of things we can consider doing for our business: pod casts, widgets, blogs, etc. There's not much information about how to get started doing a pod cast, just that we should consider doing it and why it could help. There seems to be an assumption that the audience would be familiar with the technology enough to know how to get started, but such a reader would not need this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you only read one chapter, read chapter January 3, 2010

By Oscar Trimboli

Format:Hardcover

If you only read one chapter, read chapter 7
1. You are media
2. Now more than ever, our personal brand is something all of us need to pay a lot more attention to. In this digital age, your personal brand will be your most powerful ally or enemy.
3. It includes a simple "personal brand audit for the online world" including the concept of a 3D brand - give abundantly, help others and build relationships
4. The general rule of thumb is "one-quarter". For every four updates or posts you create in your online social circles (outside of your dedicated blog), you can let people know about something self-promotional once.
5. Traffic does not equal community, focus on building community
6. Attention does not equal trust
7. If you build trust and community by providing value to others, good things (like more business) do happen

Mitch Joel through Six Pixels of Separation has created a practical book for large and small businesses, more importantly he has created a practical book for individuals who work inside large and small businesses and how they can help themselves in establishing an online brand whilst helping their employer

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Today's Business Owner & For Those Just Starting Out July 7, 2009

By Charlene Rubush VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Mitch Joel, a digital marketing expert, has written an outstanding book that addresses the many aspects of "new marketing" in our world today.

To make his point of how important it is to "be connected," Joel points out that if Facebook were a country, it would have the sixth largest population in the world. We are living in a world where "we are all connected."

Joel points out that entrepreneurs who understand the value and promise of online channels, can bring their message and their personal brands to a worldwide audience at a very reasonable price. This new economy is driven by time invested, rather than money.

Joel also addresses the power of Google, and social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn. He gives advice on blogging, writing articles for websites, creating amazing reviews, as well as using images, audio, podcasting, video, (such as YouTube) and much more.

The author uses real-life stories to inform the reader of the many ways people have found to be successful in business. By developing fresh ideas, and building up their client base using the technology available today, many of these people have far exceeded their initial goals.

This is a book that will get your creative juices flowing, and inspire you to jump on the Internet bandwagon, as well as get you excited to try the technological tools available to spread your message to an audience that may be eagerly waiting for it.

Even if you've never thought of starting your own business, this book might inspire you to take the leap. And for those who already have an established business, you're bound to learn of new ways to promote yourself. The opportunities available today are boundless. Joel knows his stuff. Read him and learn. Very highly recommended!