When you see the list of my top five books for 2009 you’re bound to notice a pattern. I’ve had a bit of a one-track-mind this year. Most of 2009 I studied online communities, technology and social media. I don’t know exactly how many books I’ve read this year, but many of them have been on similar subjects. I immersed myself in podcasts (more on that in a few days), courses (both online and live) and especially books — as I endeavoured to learn and implement as much as possible about the changing online landscape. My goal: To master the ability to connect and work with my online community of business women – and to use what I learn as I implement the new information to pass on to the community skills and tools that they can use to run their businesses better. Now… for the list. If you’re working on building an online community, want to better communicate within your social networks, want practical ways to build your social capital, then I recommend these titles. I’ve included Amazon links below so you can read up further on the books. Dear Australian Readers: Don’t write to tell me I should order from Aussie retailers – I’m yet to find Aussie bookstores that satisfy my book needs, who delivery quickly and inexpensively and who have the books that I need, when I need them. The Whuffie Factor – Tara Hunt After hearing Tara Hunt speak at the South by South West festival in Austin I ordered this book (which was released in July). It’s about how to build your social capital. The author offers a no-nonsense guild to how what grows and what diminishes your online reputation and how to educate and empower your connection. (Here’s a post I wrote about this book when it was first released.)
Trust Agents – Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation and Earn Trust – Chris Brogan and Julien Smith This one is terrific. The authors describe trust and the most important currency today. I’ve listed to the audio book (which is read by both authors) and am yet to devour the printed version. How to build trust, maintain a good reputation, build relationships online, what breaks trust and what empowers trust. Free – the Future of a RadicalPrice –Chris Anderson In the digital marketplace, the most effective price is no price at all, argues Anderson (The Long Tail). Great examples of companies using ‘free’ to build big businesses. The concept can be a hard one to accept and to see the application in you own business, even harder BUT get it and you can transform an industry and your business. Crowdsourcing – Why the Power of the Crowd is Driving the Future of Business – Jeff Howe How is collaboration (and the ease by which you can crowdsource using socialmedia) changing the face of business and product/business development? How to harness the power of the crowd. Great examples.
Facebook for Dummies –Leah Pearlman and Carolyn Abram I love the “Dummies” books. I’ve purchased a number of the social media/tech titles (including ones on Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, SEO, You Tube, Blogging) because they are easy to follow and the authors walk you through many aspects of using social media tools or both business and personal outcomes. In this one you’ll learn how to optimise your profile, promote your business, create a business page – it touches the main aspects you need to master to get results with Facebook. 140 Characters: A style guide for the short form – Dom Sagolla I haven’t yet finished this one but it’s definitely already worthy of being on this list. As relevant for status updates in Facebook and LinkedIn, the book covers basic grammar, creating your own style, writing for best effect using Twitter and other short-form vehicles. If you have any book recommendations you’d like to share, I’d be happy to hear from you. AUDIO VS PRINT BOOKS I’ve been an audio book listener of a couple of years, but more so this year partly because I don’t want to wait (I can start the book now – I don’t need to wait to get the physical copy) and partly because of convenience (I can consume the material when I’m walking or driving). These days I buy most books in both audio and printed version. The audio gets listened to pretty quickly. The printed version ends up more like a workbook with highlights, post-it notes stuck through it and as an easy to follow reference for implementation of the principles contained in the book. To Kindle or Not to Kindle? I haven’t bought a Kindle yet. I have the iphone app version of it and may get one (but I’m yet to be convinced of the extra benefits…. Right now I’m using my iphone to read/listen to the vook Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk (get the vook in the Apple Apps store). The iphone is plenty big enough for me to read on. Also, with the Apple tablet (hopefully) not too far away, I’ll be interested to see if that creeps into the same territory as Kindle. Best wishes, Suzi Additional Resources Tara Hunt on Twitter Chris Brogan on Twitter Chris Anderson on Twitter South by South West Festival (I’m going. Hope you’ll be there too.)
