A provocative look at social media that dispels the hype and tells you all you need to know about using the Web to expand your business
If you listen to the pundits, Internet gurus, marketing consultants, and even the mainstream media, you could think social media was the second coming. When it comes to business, they declare that it’s revolutionizing advertising, PR, customer relations—everything. And they all agree: it is here to stay.
In this lively, insightful guide, journalist and social critic B.J. Mendelson skillfully debunks the myths of social media. He illustrates how the notion of “social media” first came to prominence, why it has become such a powerful presence in the marketing field, and who stands to benefit each time it’s touted in the press. He shows you why all the Facebook friends and Twitter followers in the world mean nothing to you and your business without old-fashioned, real-world connections. He examines popular tales of social media “success,” and reveals some unsettling truths behind the surface. And he tells you how to best harness the potential of the Internet—without spending a fortune in the process.
Social media is bullshit. This book gives the knowledge and tools you really need to connect with customers and grow your brand.
Brandon Mendelson (aka B.J. Mendelson) is a humorist, speaker, and social critic. He has contributed to The Huffington Post, CNN, MTV's O Music Awards, Mashable, Forbes, the Eisner-nominated ComicsAlliance, and many other national outlets.
In the Fall of 2001, he started a business at the age of eighteen, operating it out of his dorm room at Alfred State College. The business was called, "Earth's Temporary Solution" and was a live entertainment business that booked concerts across the East Coast.
In February of 2003, Brandon's "Universal Break-up Card" was featured on BoingBoing, Fark, GorillaMask, College Humor, and many other websites. This would be the first of a long string of humor columns for him to "go viral". Brandon would later use those sites, and others to make other pieces of content spread including a video starring his cat, Molly, who appeared in the CNN/YouTube 2007 Presidential debate coverage, the popular college game Humans Vs. Zombies, and a site making fun of his classmates in high school.
In 2006, after a few years of getting emails asking Brandon how to make stuff "go viral", he started working for other people to help them do the same. One of which included a show angling for syndication on ABC where Brandon designed a contest and campaign that successfully got the show into 40 million homes. He also designed and operated a tour for a not-for-profit, which continues to operate to this day, that has raised over a million dollars for the organization.
Brandon has been quoted and featured in Newsweek, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Psychology Today, Smart Money Magazine, and he has appeared on CNN, CNBC, Yahoo! News, the CBC, and many other media outlets.
His first book, Social Media Is Bullshit was published by St. Martin's Press on September 4th, 2012. He's currently working on a new book with an even funnier title.
