Wiley & Sons has made history with a new book, The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools & Strategies for Business Success. At 844 pages it is the largest book they've ever published in their 202 years. It's an everything-you've-ever-wanted-to-know resource about the social media landscape, the history of the Internet, and new tool management for businesses and laypeople alike. While some of the chapters are repetitive (the same sources get cited time and again), I found the book to be encouraging as a guideline for what to do when you're expecting more business on the 'Net. Lon Safko and co-author David Brake offer an overwhelming overview of an almost tameless subject. It is an admirable book with loads of interviews and, not surprisingly, an accompanying Web site that serves as a 'living document' to which you can easily go as the social media landscape evolves.
Because of its reference book nature, you can flip from one place to the next. I tried to read it straight through as a book and got discouraged. Pick and choose what interests you. The format is easy to read and you get the feeling you are in good hands as the authors themselves are successful businessmen who have put these strategies into practice. Thumbs up for The Social Media Bible. It's one bible I'd be happy to thump.
