Building a Social Media Bookshelf: What Do You Recommend?

As part of SMinOrgs's ongoing effort to provide resources to folks regarding the organizational implications of social media and other digital technologies, we'd like to collect and share a list of books that people have found valuable. We appreciate your letting us know your favorite(s) and/or must-read recommendations, adding a few words about why you like it/them.

Some of you may recall that I had put out a similar call a couple of years ago. I got great responses, but I was never able to compile all the results into a usable format. Now, with help from Marci Stewart, we can actually get it done! 

I'd like the list to be as comprehensive as possible, including "classics" as well as the latest reads. Works like Groundswell, Wikinomics and Enterprise 2.0 will definitely be on the list, as well as more current books like Digital Leader and Engage!.

What else would you add? Please list your favorite titles below, and/or provide links to resources you think offer definitive lists. Thanks!

We'll be sharing the final list via the S.M.A.R.T. Blog and on SlideShare, in addition to adding all the individual titles to Pinterest. Please be sure to subscribe to the blog and or follow us on one or more of our social media platforms to be notified about the final results (and more!).

- Courtney Shelton Hunt

Comments

[Barb]

http://prezi.com/ is an awesome classic that is more interactive than slideshare but both make total sense

[Elizabeth]

Social Media for Social Good by Heather Mansfield is a must. Simple, straight-forward, easy to read, and incredibly helpful no matter how much experience you have.

I also recommend The Facebook Marketing Book and the Social Media Marketing Book by Dan Zarrella. He looks at things from more of a statistical side and has some great recommendations based on his research as well as step by step instructions for getting started and maintaining a social media presence.

[Courtney Shelton Hunt, PhD]

Thanks, Elizabeth. Heather is definitely a great thought leader and guide, and though she targets the non-profit sector her ideas translate to other sectors as well.

I personally am not a big fan of Dan Zarrella's work, as I find his analyses to be pseudo-scientific at best, but I know a lot of people find the guidance useful. I'm a big fan of Dan's employer, Hubspot, though.

[Kathy]

I just attended a conference and there were many sessions on social media. One session talked about the dangers of using it the wrong way and with the wrong people. The presenter recommended this book, which I plan to read as it sounds very interesting: The Face-to-Face Book: Why Real Relationships Rule in a Digital Marketplace

[Courtney Shelton Hunt, PhD]

Thanks, Kathy. That book sounds like a nice complement to the others that will be more technology focused.

[jackie alcalde]

Hi Courtney,
I recommend Social Media At Work: How Networking Tools Propel Organizational Performance. Of course, I'm a little biased, since I'm a co-author! We wrote the book as curious practicioners, and we've found that it really appeals to those who are still learning the basics of social strategies, as well as leaders in organizations of all kinds who are exploring how to make social media really work for their organizations. All of the co-authors teach university grad programs, and our students find the book practical and informative. Please include it on your list! Thanks, jackie

[Courtney Shelton Hunt, PhD]

Thanks, Jackie. Self nominations are more than appropriate. I've let the intern who's working on the project know to add it to the list.