Social Media is Bullshit by B. J. Mendelson - a funny title to recommend on a blog

As I've complained before, I'm not the most social person in the world. Not even in the online word. Yet common wisdom tells me that I must have a robust social media presence if I want anyone ever to notice my writing, hence why I'm trucking along in this here blog. I picked up the following title hoping to get some pats in the back about the rather . . . inadequate effort I'm putting into gaining a following.

It's been an interesting read, though it's yet to offer me the get-out-of-marketing card I'd hoped for. Marketing is important, and the internet is one of the few places where a person can take a stab at it without a massive budget.

Of course, the massive budget would be immensely helpful, and that's one of the points Mendelson makes. It's very unlikely that I (or anyone) will "make it" with the help of a plucky blog/facebook/twitter/youtube account without help. Even if we have a high quality product.

What did I learn from this book?

• How famous social media successes (ex. Justin Beiber) actually happened.
• How rich corporations can afford to sink time and money into social media advertising that a solo artist like me couldn't afford if I sold my soul to Satan.
• How facebook is as evil as I've always suspected.
• That face-to-face marketing is still the most important (though ew).
• How not to be obnoxious to other solo bloggers/artists online in a shallow attempt to drive traffic to my lonely blog.
• How I should focus all my attentions on one blog/website rather than spread myself thin on every social media platform on the net.
• Hopefully, how to spot scammers preying on artists and/or small business owners with promises of social media magic.
• That first and foremost, I need to be offering something worthwhile if I have any hope of ever building a "base".
• To chill out and try to have fun with this blogging thing!

So I would highly recommend this book. It's an interesting, level-headed perspective on social media and marketing.

Amazon