Be a Part of the Social Nation – Book Giveaway & Review

Ah how the world has changed! Horses have replaced cars. Computers take over the world. The word “Apple” no longer automatically conjures up images of a ripe red fruit. Grandmas communicate with their grandkids through text. And on rainy days, people find comfort in their e-readers instead of their hardcover books. It is my friend, a new age-a digital one.

Yet, as we become more digital, there is simultaneously a greater need for communication. With businesses having to work even harder to get our attention, let alone our wallets, we see a shift in how we communicate. Yes it has changed from face to face interaction to video chat, instant messaging, Facebook and Twitter, but communication has never been more important.

And as we transform ourselves to become even better at communicating with each other, we transform the nation, the Social Nation, that is.

What is Social Nation?

In late September, I received an email from a literary agent who also graciously sent me a copy of Tony Hsieh’s book Delivering Happiness. He had another book he thought would peak my interest called, “Social Nation” by Barry Libert and sent it to me as well. I actually received an additional copy. You’ll want to keep reading to find out how to get your hands on one for FREE too.

The benefits of Social Nation:

There’s no denying that life has changed as we know it. But are you as an entrepreneur/CEO/businessmen and women/freelance writers going to keep playing with your digital toys without understanding its implications on the future of your company?

It’s a question that Social Nation subtly asks and attempts to answer with practical tips and strategies on how to move customers and fans through social media. It starts off by discussing the history of businesses like authoritarian parents, focusing its energy on its products and services, but treating customers as children that should be ignored and not taken seriously. Libert says,”[O]rganizations are built to be impenetrable and dictatorial entities that create, manufacture, promote, and sell products or services based on the insights of the few about what the many want.”

Yes. This is the way it’s been for a long, long time. By Libert makes it clear that in order for businesses to be successful in this day in age, they need to change and start listening to their customers and their employees. He describes 4 skills (physical, informational, emotional and social), which correspond to 4 ages in the history of business. Today all 4 are necessary with social skills just tipping the scales in its importance to the success of businesses.

Who would benefit from reading Social Nation?

It was serendipitous that this book fell into my lap because as a freelance writer and someone who uses social media to market my services and to help other clients market theirs, it was essential that I read it.

This is a very practical book. One that asks you (whether you are an employee, manager, entrepreneur, etc.) what your skills are so that you can use it to the best of your ability to help further the needs of your company. There is a quiz in the book as well as tips on how to get started in social media.

The book demonstrates how other companies are successfully using social media to create an interactive and sometimes (as in the case of Apple) start their own nation of fans who are empowered to create their own products and services for the company.

The bottom line?

Reading this book will not automatically get you to the head of the social media class. But it’ll get you started. You still need to do the work yourself. And a lot of that is trial and error-figuring out what works best for your company takes risk. But this book will definitely help you along the way. Think of it as a bridge that’ll help guide you to creating a more personal relationship with your fans, followers, customers, employees and clients.

The good news!

They were kind enough to send me two copies so I have one waiting for you. If you want to win a free copy, here are multiple ways you can win. Every item is considered an entry and you can do all of them for a total of 4 entries per person.

1. Comment at the bottom of this post. A bonus question: Leave a comment about whether social media has helped your business grow.

2. RT this post, which you can do by clicking on the retweet button at the top of this post.

3. Comment on my Facebook page.

4. Subscribe to get more freelance writing tips sent to your email under subscribe in the column to your right.

The deadline to enter is Friday, December 3rd and the winner will be announced on Monday, December 6th. Good luck!