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Social Media Is Bullshit
A provocative look at social media that dispels the hype and tells you all you need to know about using the Web to expand your business
If you listen tothepundits,Internet gurus, marketing consultants, and even the mainstream media, you could think social media was the second coming. When it comes to business, they declare that it’s revolutionizing advertising, PR, customer...more
If you listen tothepundits,Internet gurus, marketing consultants, and even the mainstream media, you could think social media was the second coming. When it comes to business, they declare that it’s revolutionizing advertising, PR, customer...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
September 4th 2012
by St. Martin's Press
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Dec 09, 2012
Joshua S.
is currently reading it
OK, I actually finished this weeks ago. It's a good, solid little book. On the one hand, B.J. Mendelson makes a very strong case, using real-world examples, for why it's probably not smart for mom and pop and small/medium businesses to invest a great deal of time and resources into new media platforms... however.. the big caveat to the whole book is that, in my view, these are still very early days for the whole 'web 2.0' or, if you like '3.0' platform... as always, our society (the part of huma...more
This is incredible: in a book about marketing – selling what you “make” – that is only 196 pages, not counting the end notes, he waits until a footnote on page 226, keyed to a comment on page 152, to offer his web address where you can find out what HE makes. Is there a word for “more humble than just humble?”
Two days ago I reviewed Stephen Dobyns’ The Burn Palace and included some of Stephen King’s comments about it. I didn’t quote King calling it “the embodiment of why we read stories, and w...more
Two days ago I reviewed Stephen Dobyns’ The Burn Palace and included some of Stephen King’s comments about it. I didn’t quote King calling it “the embodiment of why we read stories, and w...more
Not a bad book and a quick read, but long before the end I decided not to finish it.
Basically, anyone who knows anything about social media knows that it's bullshit in terms of the ways it's being used by large companies or corporate entities.
I did a personal Twitter experiment a couple weeks ago where I hit the Follow button next to every single person that came up. People who followed me and everyone THEY followed. In a week, just by doing that I more than doubled my followers. You can also me...more
Basically, anyone who knows anything about social media knows that it's bullshit in terms of the ways it's being used by large companies or corporate entities.
I did a personal Twitter experiment a couple weeks ago where I hit the Follow button next to every single person that came up. People who followed me and everyone THEY followed. In a week, just by doing that I more than doubled my followers. You can also me...more
SOCIAL MEDIA IS BULLSHIT isn't slamming the value of social media whether it be twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn (Tumblr for creepy old guys). It's a great book about how the promises of social media as a marketing tool are overrated and a quasi-documentary on the corporatization of social media to the point where the legendary one smart writer/editor/blogger who builds a following and goes from rags to riches is pretty much extinct. It's partly a polemic* (hey, I barely know what this word meant...more
While the title is a bit of a misnomer -- B.J. Mendelson is arguing, I think, against certain practices and social media types -- this is worth a read for any marketer. Because he does bring a level of critical thought that the practice of marketing could use a bit more of.
He's not afraid to challenge assumptions. And he's not afraid to name names -- he has no love lost for the Chris Brogan types of the world -- and while that may not be a bad thing, it does distract from his argument. He would...more
He's not afraid to challenge assumptions. And he's not afraid to name names -- he has no love lost for the Chris Brogan types of the world -- and while that may not be a bad thing, it does distract from his argument. He would...more
Nov 03, 2012
josh
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone trying to build a brand, drum up sales or seek publicity
Recommended to josh by:
shelf @ UAPL
Mendelson spends a great deal of time digging up articles, examples and stories from a variety of sources to support the argument that "social media"- for whatever that term is worth - doesn't work to drive business and generate a positive ROI for most individuals, businesses and organizations that are being hammered with the advice that "you must have a social media presence!".
While the title is eye-catching and Mendelson utilizes a humorous style, I feel like he's preaching the the choir. Who...more
While the title is eye-catching and Mendelson utilizes a humorous style, I feel like he's preaching the the choir. Who...more
Maybe not the best edited or articulated contrarian view of social media hipster-ism and the token how to section at the end I could've done without, but I appreciate that someone who has lived in and tried to apply the tools of the world of social media and marketing is willing to put this forth. The bitterness of the lessons he learned aside, a good lesson to take from this is you really can't succeed on any platform or medium if you don't know what it is you wish to accomplish with it. I didn...more
this book proclaimed and supported an idea that i've long suspected: that social media, especially for marketing purposes, is overrated and not as helpful as we have been led to believe. and the myth that we must use social media to promote our businesses or risk getting "left behind" is often perpetuated by those who have a vested interest in those tools' success.
although i don't currently conduct any online marketing for my business, i'm comforted that the "old-fashioned" approach i have used...more
although i don't currently conduct any online marketing for my business, i'm comforted that the "old-fashioned" approach i have used...more
This book is a good think piece if you're planning on venturing into social media marketing - it's not necessarily a discouraging book, but Mendelson's writing is there to give you a reality check. You may not become famous strictly by posting Youtube videos or tweeting. He highlights the outside factors that have contributed to the successes of such internet phenoms such as Justin Bieber and Will it Blend? and dispels the myth of the Internet star. I think it's funny to read a book that (even t...more
This books is everything that I can ask for of a nonfiction book that examines something in contemporary America. It makes a thesis (of sorts) in this case about a problem, examines the history of how we got there, presents many myths that are being recycled in the echo chamber, presents a case that debunks many of those myth, & then presents multiple solutions in how we (the oridnary consumer) can operate effectively. His outside sources are put forth & cited in case the reader wishes t...more
B.J. Mendelson’s “Social Media Is Bullshit” is a welcome counterpoint to conventional social-media wisdom, especially for those of us who have to produce, plan or monitor social-media channels for our job. Mendelson punctures a few key social-media myths, claiming:
1. Most businesses fail to benefit financially from their presence on the Big Six social media platforms.
2. Many cases trumpeted as “viral” triumphs actually have substantial corporate budgets behind them or other extenuating circumsta...more
1. Most businesses fail to benefit financially from their presence on the Big Six social media platforms.
2. Many cases trumpeted as “viral” triumphs actually have substantial corporate budgets behind them or other extenuating circumsta...more
I have to admit I ended up just skimming the book, and wasn't all that impressed. Maybe I should have read the whole thing in detail, I just couldn't make myself spend the time. The whole thing reads like, "These guys said I would be able to be successful with social media but it didn't work for me so it's all bullshit."
My main impression is that Mendelson tried to "use social media" but doesn't really understand what the social space is all about.
My main impression is that Mendelson tried to "use social media" but doesn't really understand what the social space is all about.
I loved this book because it is written in plain English, makes several key points clearly and concisely and is frankly, a lot of common sense. As someone who is a digital marketer and "social media" guy - both as a practitioner and now as a consultant, I found the book refreshing and to the point.
Of course social media can help, just like anything with the right approach, resources and intent social media is a viable tool in a marketer and PR person's toolbox. Just don't bank everything on it,...more
Of course social media can help, just like anything with the right approach, resources and intent social media is a viable tool in a marketer and PR person's toolbox. Just don't bank everything on it,...more
Mr. Mendelson was right—I did select this book based on its title, “Social Media is Bullshit”. It was interesting to read his view of how social media items go viral. His willingness to share a personal story about failure was refreshing, although embarking on such a venture seems to be a success. I did not learn much but I was entertained.
I didn't disagree with anything in this book. It's how I have always thought, and some of the quotes he uses I have also used in writing about these issues. So, if you pick this up you are not likely to surprised. Quick read and you better read it fast because it will be out of date very shortly.
But oh, the copyediting was terrible.
But oh, the copyediting was terrible.
I am not trying to expand a business, but saw it in the bookstore and gave it a read. It is fast and easy to zip through. Came down toasting me want to read Dale Carnegie's, How to Win Friends and Influence People.
The book is really about social media marketers, and not social media. It focuses too much on the boom or bust method of evaluation of social media. Unless something reaches millions and millions of people, it must be a failure according to the book. Also, too much reliance on personal anecdotes and failures.
Sorry B.J., but I didn't like it. I think you raise some valid points and it's good to question social media. But I've seen too much good happen through social media to just throw it all out.
Cyber-Hispters, mitos y como todo el Hype de Social Media le da beneficios solo a los que venden humo. Es un libro para bajarse de la nube y dejarse de creer huevadas. Muy recomendable.
Enjoyed this book and what the author had to say about hipsters and net utopians.
The book starts out very good with a nice sense of humour. But I started to bog down in later chapters. I think he makes some good points (that social media is largely a marketing ploy that only the big guys can benefit from), but I think his arguments are a little too one-sided. I agree that social media may be largely a mirage for the little guy, but can you squeeze out some value from it?
B.J. makes a few good points in this book and does a decent job of trying to dispel some of the big social media myths and case studies (like Justin Bieber is just a product of YouTube). However, a lot of the book just seems like a personal vendetta against the big names of overpaid social media speakers such as Chris Brogan, Gary V, etc. Quick read though.
Good contrarian view of the social media universe. He makes some solid points, but others are not so strong. It's a good read and an important one for balance if nothing else. Social media is overvalued and overhyped, and it is good to look at the other side of the coin.
internet and the bullshit myth
May 16, 2013
Eric
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2013
Bert
marked it as to-read
May 12, 2013
Arash Kamangir
marked it as to-read
May 09, 2013
Monapat Jongdeepaisal
is currently reading it
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Dec 31, 2012 08:06pm