2012 Book Review: "Likeable Social Media" by Dave Kerpen

"Likeable Social Media"
by Dave Kerpen
Reviewed by Luke Cloutier

As social media analyst for the Macomb-OU INCubator, finding new campaign strategies is vital. Dave Kerpen's "Likeable Social Media" provides plenty of information for this, as he is an entrepreneur and also the co-founder and CEO of Likeable Media.

Within his book, Kerpen describes 18 ways social media can work for your business, and accompanies them with many case studies on how these tools are used in real scenarios. "Likeable Social Media" is a great asset for all small business owners, as long as they have prior social media knowledge. It contains a vast amount of information that focuses on how your company should brand its products and services through social media networks. Although social media is new to many companies, it is also here to stay.

As just one of the 18 examples, Kerpen focuses on how sharing stories with the public builds brand identity. This leads to engaging with your audience, and giving a positive image to the public. Certain ways of sharing with the public includes telling stories of how your company started, including failures and successes, triumphs and tribulations, and goals.

Throughout "Likeable Social Media," Kerpen offers insight towards strategies that companies should focus on in marketing and advertising via social media. Kerpen also states "there is no way to successfully use social media as an organization if you simply silo it to marketing or advertising." One of the best take aways from the book is the concept of painting a picture for your following, which are the people that support your company, and follow you through your social media platforms.

For anyone interested in social media for business, Kerpen's book is a great read. It promotes the use of social media within a company as beneficial for your brand. Learn how to think and act like your consumer, to respond quickly to bad and negative comments, to admit when your company makes a mistake, and to inspire your customers to share testimonials to the public. In this new era of companies providing information through social media platforms, this is a must read that will show how to build a strong following from the ground up.