Each month a book is selected for examination and review by a group of Social Media Club members from all around the globe. I am proud that our little section of the globe can now be represented as well. February’s selection is ‘The Social Media Strategist – Build a Successful Program from the Inside Out’ by Christopher Barger.

Before getting into the content of this book I’d like first to comment on and to complement its context. This is a really friendly, simple to read book, offering loads of valuable information packaged in easy to consume portions. Chapters are separated into very easily digested sections similar to that of blog posts. Many sections are constructed through an articulated process making use of email interviews and other dynamic collaborative tools. This method of writing a book is clearly very practical and provides usefulness to myself and others out there looking to get our messages into book form. Kudos to form.

Though a fairly experienced Social Media practitioner myself, my business’ focus to date has been working with solopreneurs up to SMB’s. Above my league at this juncture, I’ve often wondered what it must been like inside big business. I have worked with large companies like P&G and Coca Cola to name drop a few, in many succesful European marketing campaigns. I have also had many a project die on the vine and fail to materialize when ...a key contact moving to another division or away to another company or ...internal issues to contend with as to whether the project met the goals and served the best interests of Sales or Marketing, etc…, were unable to be resolved.

“Silos to the left of me, Silos to the right, Here we are, Stuck in the middle again”. Its always seemed to me that it took a committee to rule on anything and often that exhausted everyone and eventually nothing got done as a result. And I was on the outside looking in. Imagine what it looks like on the other side of the ‘looking glass’? For, in fact, I was in the stands and not on the field of play.

In his book Chris Barger takes us right onto the field. Not only that but he also manages to map out and describe a process that can and should be replicated in big business for maximum efficiency using Social Media, globally, across industry. We get to see it practically from the inside out. Christopher identifies 7 key elements to a successful Social Media program. He then details why each of these are important and valuable and then walks us through examples to their application. The end result and benefit of reading this book are insights gained that would otherwise only be subjective to imagine. It is an enlightening experience.

All of the pitfalls that befall large-scale business can be dealt with more effectively, when these elements are each dealt with in turn, thoughtfully and strategically. As the major corporations continue to make increased use of Social Media, those that aspire to play to win will find this volume useful for reference. For those of us that would like to participate at that level it is a must read. I certainly applaud Christopher Barger and his peers for the fortitude it must take to play at this level. I should only hope to get called up to the ‘Show’ some day. If you do too, I recommend you read it now.

I am very pleased to add my first book review to the Social Media Club Book Club. Thanks to the Social Media Club, its founders and members for making this possible.

See you next month!

**Social Media Club members (Open/Pro/SMB/Corporate) are welcome to participate in a free webinar hosted by Social Media Club featuring Christopher Barger, Author of The Social Media Strategist on Tuesday, February 28th at 2pm EDT. Register here!**