Customer Reviews

Social Media Strategies for Professionals and Their Firms: The Guide to Establishing Credibility and Accelerating Relationships (Wiley Professional Advisory)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michelle Golden's book, "Social Media Strategies for Professionals and Their Firms" is incredibly valuable and worthwhile, right from the start. It may be the definitive book right now to use to understand what "social media" really means and then implement and apply it to your professional firm.

The book is written in a very conversational, informative style, which will be extremely helpful to those new to "social media," as well as those already actively using Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook and blogging for business purposes, who want to learn more and go to the next level.

The book is full of real examples, definitions and adaptable suggestions. It will help you to think about your "strategy" and how to implement social media into your business. The book is very well designed, so that it can either be read through, or used as a reference tool to learn more about a specific topic. Michelle clearly explains the rationale and issues regarding social media in general (which is outstanding), then provides the What, Why, and How to use each of these tools, as well as Tips for each. She has even included a very detailed footnote section, for those interested in further reading or support for her content, as well as a thorough Glossary.

This book will definitely be helpful to professional firms (both small and large, for a partner in charge or the social media "champion"), as well as anyone else who has an interest in applying social media for their business. This is an excellent book, which I highly recommend. Anyone who wants to learn more about this topic will find this a must-have book.

Disclosure: I have no relationship with the author of this book, other than being "connected" via Twitter.

Just finished Michelle's book, Social Media Strategies for Professionals and their Firms. This is one of the best books I have read on marketing and business development (and I have read many) and cannot recommend this book more highly. The first chapter is such an impactful 23 pages and is about so much more than just social media. It really is a handbook for anyone wanting to become a practice development leader. My only concern is that my competition will read Michelle's book and start implementing her strategies. Well done Michelle!!

Social Media Strategies for Professionals and Their Firms is must reading for anyone involved in marketing professional service firms such as accounting, law or consulting firms. However it is also valuable to all of us who are personally blogging or tweeting about our vocations or enthusiasms.

Social Media Marketing is not standard marketing, as Ms. Golden points out it is something totally different. She takes us through the planning and proper use of LinkedIN, Twitter, Facebook, and blogs.

I wish her book had been available when I started blogging and tweeting, but it was still valuable after 18 months of active SM usage. I wish she had discussed some other social media such as foursquare or youtube, but on refection for this book she is right to focus on the four most important outlets for professional use. Buy - or at least READ - this book to enhance your SMM game!

Any professional service provider who wants to get an understanding of social media and how it can be used in "real life" needs to read this book. Michelle Golden has captured the most up-to-date information on social media and brings it together in an coherent manner, with a clear, enjoyable writing.

August Aquila, CEO AQUILA Global Advisors and Co-Author Client at the Core

In Social Media Strategies Michelle Golden helps the reader think through today's social media tools: which best suits your purpose and style, and what it takes to succeed with each medium, whether in corporate use or individual use. In this very well written book she argues that marketers must persuade their firms to abandon most traditional (and ineffective) forms of marketing, including formal corporate 'messaging.' As a knowledgeable social media user, she takes on the 'bottom line' crowd and those managers who demand, "What's the ROI of social media?" She also anticipates the entirely predictable (and reasonable) concerns of IT staff and of corporate 'brand hawks.' When firms and their marketers say they feel rushed to implement a 'Facebook strategy' or 'LinkedIn strategy,' she advises taking a slower, thoughtful approach. Golden provides many corporate success stories. More than 20 case studies offer detailed strategies. In the book's second half Golden details how to set up and use social media tools. She discusses the importance of using LinkedIn and Twitter, among others, and explains how to use social bookmarking sites. I found Social Media Strategies to be thorough, well organized, and satisfying.

Of the many books on social media -- and there are many -- Social Media Strategies stands out as the most comprehensive, the most understandable for the non-techie as well as sthe experienced user of social media, and the most user friendly. Despite the many users of Facebook, Twittter, LinkedIn and the like, its not a;ways easy to grasp this media to its fullest potential. Golden, a recognized leader in its use, makes it easy.

Bruce W. Marcus, Editor, The Marcus Letter

For most professionals, social media is just another thing that they feel like they should know more about but never have the time to get into it. Lawyers, accountants, IT professionals, advertising professionals, and consultants never truly learn how to market the knowledge that they sell, so they focus on doing a good job and hoping they get noticed. But with ever-increasing choices available to clients, that marketing-by-default method no longer works. Fortunately for professionals, social media has come along to enable them to differentiate themselves and let the world know that they're here. And even more fortunately, Michelle Golden has written this invaluable and comprehensive guide to getting started.

Unlike most books in this area, Social Media Strategies doesn't just focus on the how to do it. Instead, it starts out with the why to do it. As Golden writes, "It makes little or no sense to pursue use of social-media tools without clarity of purpose--a clear sense of why." Golden's book helps professionals get a clear picture of why they want (and need) to use social media. And she emphasizes that social media "is 'social' first and 'media' second." Instead of encouraging professional to start "shoving content, especially firm-centric news, into social-media channels," Golden emphasizes building credibility and relationships.

Then she guides professionals through the most important social-media channels: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and blogs. Here the focus is on how you should be using these tools, rather than a mere recitation of the various user manuals. I found most valuable her advice on how to use Facebook for business. Before learning from Golden, I was firmly anti-Facebook. Now, most of my 200 Facebook friends are actually professional friends.

Golden writes with warmth and empathy, which eases your intake of a bargeload of crucial information. If you're a professional and don't want to be left in the 1900s, you have to read this book.

(Disclosure: Golden interviewed many professionals while writing this book, including me. Despite that momentary lapse of judgment, the book still rocks.)

Social Media Strategies for Professionals and Their Firms by Michelle Golden will prove to be the seminal text on social media for corporations and entrepreneurs alike regardless of industry.

The amount of useful content is unparalleled. This should be on your desk as the "go to" source for social media insights and clarity.

Ms. Golden takes judgment-based issues in social media and provides a framework from which practitioners can draw out actionable tactics and strategies.

Michelle provides numerous outlines and checklists along with case examples allowing the reader to navigate the risks and rewards of social media effectively.

The author's writing is engaging which makes the book a smart yet enjoyable read.

Dirk Spencer

Social Media Recruiter

While new media oftentimes provide the fastest and most effective means whereby professionals may build their practices and reach audiences, many professional service firms have been hesitant to change their corporate marketing strategies and integrate social media into them. Golden (Owner, Golden Practices Inc.; Senior Fellow, VeraSage Institute), a recognized, practice management advisor and marketing specialist in social media use and strategy, particularly in the Certified Public Accountant field, has written an accessible, comprehensive guidebook to social media for professionals and their firms with an emphasis on the accounting and legal industries. She sets forth a one- stop, reference handbook that can be read from cover- to- cover or by chapter, as needed. Nicely- organized and presented, this book covers the what, why, how, and more of social media. In fourteen chapters, the author addresses various topics as they relate to social media, professionals, and their firms, including the basics, communication policies and guidelines, business purpose, integration, strategies, marketing tactics, case studies, tools such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and web blogs, social web writing and etiquette, as well as best practices. Filled with lessons, tips, tools, how- to information, guidance, practical approaches, and sound advice, this invaluable manual is likely to serve the needs of individuals and entities seeking to establish, develop, and maximize effective online presences, even though parts of it quickly may become outdated or obsolete due to changing institutional environments and/or evolving and/or emerging technologies. Sufficiently well- documented, with endnotes, a glossary, and a back- of- the book index, this book is highly recommended for students, professionals, and others. It belongs in large public, academic, and special libraries--C. A. Lajos, The Librarian's Review of Books,

Excellent, practical information. If you are looking at a good starting point with excellent step by step recommendations this is it.