Customer Reviews

Social Media Is A Cocktail Party: Why You Already Know The Rules Of Social Media Marketing

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First off, it's easy to read. The analogies never end and while I'm a tech person with a firm understanding of social media the analogies just confirmed so much for me and even prepared me to better share with others what Twitter, blogging and social media is all about. The details on the social media tools are already outdated a little (Is anyone on MySpace besides bands now), but this is an inevitable problem.

It's clear that Jim's background is marketing. That was key for me to realize because I quickly learned that the book was not just about social media, but social media marketing. I have little marketing background so this book really helped me realize the solid and proven potential that these tools have for marketing purposes. This was great for me and my company. Even more he breaks down how to do these things, how NOT to do these things, whose been "successful" and who's failed. Great examples of those that have gone before us!

The embedded blog posts from the Ignite website are relevant and provide a nice change of pace in the first part of the book. Much of the advice is pragmatic. For example, just start using social media in one part of organization. Start small; perfect. And the practical advice towards the end on measuring you social media marketing plan left me excited about creating a plan for my company.

I saw Jim speak at an NCState Computer Science event back in March. I was impressed with the presentation and the useful analogy that it made to help folks understand social media. I became aware of how much I've used social media in the past year (yes to all 10 questions, for those that have seen his presentation), how much I enjoy social media and I need to use it more for my startup: MemberHub.com.

Personally and professionally, I see the need to learn more to engage myself and my organization into social media. The problem, of course, is figuring out how and what to do in a meaningful way. The solution: This book. I could easily relate to the cocktail analogy, but I was most surprised at the depth of knowledge this book provides. It goes far beyond creating a Facebook profile, into how to listen online to your brand feedback, maximize your presence, and measure it. This is a must-read for anyone confused about how to join the online party.

Social media is the 24/7 virtual cocktail party where everyone is invited and anyone can say whatever they like about your brand, your company and even you!

While this party can be a bit daunting for those of us with extensive experience in traditional marketing, advertising and PR, Jim Tobin and Lisa Braziel make it easy and fun to "work the room."

Withing the first 30 pages, you will be at ease with the major concepts, buzzwords, myths, and "rules" for success. Jim and Lisa also make it clear that social media does not replace traditional methods but rather enhance them through deeper communication, transparency and ongoing contribution.

The Cocktail Party analogy is perfect for understanding how to successfully participate in social media. Two of the main points explored in detail are:

Listen before you talk. Nobody wants to hear generic, insincere pitches of the hyper-extroverted, flesh-pressing salespeople who are fully confident they can solve problems that they have never bothered to understand. Taking a moment to hear what people are already saying about your industry, you company and maybe even you personally is a good first step to having something to say that is worth hearing.

Participate instead of trying to control. Whether you like it or not (you will learn to like it when you loosen up and let go of having to have control), in the world of social media, "the party goes on with or without you." While billboards / print ads / radio and television commercials / etc. used to be the bullhorns of brand awareness, most people have learned to fast forward past "messaging" and balance the opinions of people who speak like people rather than just the pundits, gurus, "thought leaders" and influentials.

I highly recommend Social Media is a Cocktail Party to anyone who believes there is more to marketing than messaging, more to business than competiting, and more to life than working. Why not join the party?

For anyone who uses the internet for any reason this is a fascinating and useful read. It was like lifting the hood on a car to see how the engine works. I was amazed at what all goes on behind social media.
I am starting a new building/contracting company on a low budget. I found a ton of information here that I think will be a major contributer to it's success.

Quite simply, this book is a MUST READ for any marketers out there. Especially anyone that has struggled with how to integrate Social Media into their program of work.

While the book "Social Media Is a Cocktail Party" by Jim Tobin with Lisa Braziel is copyrighted 2008 -- and things change very quickly in the social media world -- this is an excellent introductory book for companies/organizations that don't yet "get" the value of utilizing social media marketing.

This book lays out the advantages of social media marketing in a non-jargon way that makes it crystal clear why, if your business or organization is NOT using social media strategies, you are losing out to your competition.

If you don't yet understand why social media can be so powerful for promoting your products or services, get this book now. It can help you understand why you need to take advantage of the immense power of social media marketing.
-- Phyllis Zimbler Miller, social media marketer at [...]

Excerpt from Blog Review: Honestly... the flat out best book I had read in quite some time. Jim and Lisa have really spilled the beans on Social Media Marketing with this book. Social Media is a Cocktail Party is a thought provoking book that shows Jim & Lisa's in-depth knowledge and expertise in the Social Media Marketing Industry.

The book takes you through the good, the bad and the ugly of social media campaigns. The integration of real world cases, blog posts and quotes from respected industry leaders make the book a reputable source for an individual, agency or company looking to gain consumer insight and an advantage with social media marketing.

View the full review: [...]

If you're a marketer or a CEO and you think social media is dumb, or a waste of time, or a bunch of amateurs, please know this: Sometimes you're right. Often you're wrong.
Jim Tobin acknowledges that crowdsourcing, the wisdom of crowds, and the democratization of content creation often leads to junk. But it also produces some jewels.
Tobin calls social media "the largest, best, most accurate market segmentation tool ever invented." But adopting social media marketing means un-learning the idea that customers are 'targets' to be seized. In social media marketing, customers become your partners and potential advocates. Marketers should find, listen to, and participate in consumer-generated conversations across the Internet as potential purchasers dig into user-generated product reviews, feature lists, comparison prices, rave reviews, and cautionary tales.
Tobin and Braziel discuss at length how to plan a social media campaign, including a preliminary community analysis and then a community engagement plan.

Just started reading this morning and can't put the book down. It's easy to read, easy to understand and entertaining too. A great holiday gift for anyone that touches a computer. See how the world of marketing continues to evolve through social media.

Jim Tobin's latest book is an eye-opening introduction to the cyber-side of marketing on social media like facebook and second life and the mechanisms behind successful corporate online ad campaigns. Jim guides the uninitiated into an exponentially growing virtual world where there are no limits on the marketing of your products and ideas if you approach the net using the specific tools he suggests. This book is essential to any business owner or marketing expert who wants to exploit the millions of eyeballs focused online at any given moment. Non-targeted marketing will soon be extinct and replaced with smart, cost effective, laser focused pitches based upon the data collected on the web and each consumer. But you can't join the cocktail party if you don't understand the lingo or how to get into the room.