Book Review Post

Survival Guide to Social Media and Web 2.0 and Web 2.0 Strategies, Tactics, and Tools for Succeeding in the Social Web. 2009

by Deltine Hay

The book I chose to review is "survival Guide to Social Media and Web 2.0 and Web 2.0 strategies, Tactics, and Tools for Succeeding in the Social Web." The book was written by Deltina Hay.
The book is fairly cheap for how much information it contains. Its target audience appears to be small business owners, entrepreneurs, and people who wish
to understand the new and ever changing landscape of Social Media from a business and moneymaking standpoint. From a world that once only depending on Search Engine Optimization
to get noticed, we now rely on Social Media Optimization.

This "Survival Guide" aims to clear the clutter between two worlds. The social network isn't what it once was. If you run a website trying to sell and
advertise your product, how will consumers know about it? Will they just google it and find it on page 57? According to Deltina Hay that is unlikely and
the sad truth that we need to face. The internet changes and business must change with it in order to survive. The book goes into details about
how to sell your product effectively using free tools and websites. You can learn how to target your specific demographic online without them having
to find you. You can deliver your message to your people, preach to your own audience; instead of just messaging everyone and hoping you reach your
targets. Learn how to effectively manage your website in web 2.0 manner. No more bare html pages with a sidebar and blank background. Today's websites need
to be a little more detailed but still professional.

I felt that the book was not for your beginner type of person. It requires at least a little knowledge on modern social networking. It does provide pictures and illustrations to
help though. Survival Guide provides a great resource for the business oriented person. It even provides templates with designs and layouts in the provided CD-ROM. It describes
in detail what is popular and what is fading. Almost everyone is using some sort of social networking. Whether it be blogs, facebook, interactive forums, or personal websites.
This books describes how to reach these people without being invasive.

That is actually my favorite part of the book. You learn how to advertise and market without using negative or intrusive tactics. Instead of buying emails and spamming everyone
about your product, you sort of sneak it in. It really shows how to be professional about Social Media and not out to make a quick buck. The tactics provided are simple. Start
a facebook group with related interests. If you selling Rock climbing equipment then start a rock climbing group! Invite your friends who share the same interest.
Then somewhere on your group page have to a link to your website and how members of the group can take advantage of discounts and find what they need.
This way you can reach a personal level and commit to your consumer without being invasive. Also with this method the advertising takes care of itself. While the example I just gave
is my own, it is what I have derived from the types of tactics and strategies given by this book.
This books helps lay a foundation for an online business or website to last a long time in this social web.

Being published in 2009 the book is already outdated in my opinion. A lot has already changed. It is crazy how fast the net changes. However you will find this book very useful
today.