I’ve been commissioned by a publisher to write a book about what I do, which can be loosely described as social media marketing. I’ve been doing it for quite a while now, long before it had a name.
Definitions are always tricky in the online world as words and terms are created so quickly and then take years to ferment in the minds of online users.
Some definitions, like “linkbait” mean different things to different people and carries certain negative connotations. But it still remains the most effective way to describe something like, “Creating content with the specific purpose of creating links to that content”.
I am playing around with different definitions of linkbait, but that is for a future blog post.
So back to the book. Wordtracker, a seller of tens of thousands of digital marketing books each year, have asked me to collect my thoughts, practices and real life experiences of my journey through the social media marketing landscape and make them available to their massive audience.
My first thoughts were, “sounds like a lot of work”, and also the fact that there are already quite a few social media marketing books knocking around. But, I am reminded of my real experience in the space and that I do have a lot to share.
The book is going to contain things that I have never shared or published. A lot of tricks and techniques, but also a map to allow you to go on a journey to change your state of mind.
Because, to get social right you have to have the mind set.
It’s not simply about learning stuff, it’s about being.
Don’t worry, I will try to go easy on the Zen stuff, but I do love it so.
Which leads me to where we are now. I realised I didn’t have a social media blog. Sure I blogged at the successful cornwallseo.com, but that was specifically aimed at my friends in the SEO market.
So I have set up thesocialmind.com
This is where I will be blogging about social media marketing. It will be where I hold a conversation with people about social media. A place where I can learn and share what I learn. A place that keeps me focussed on writing the book and anyone who has written a book knows that focus and discipline are crucial.
To help in this respect I have Mark Nunney, a business colleague and friend who regularly holds a large axe over my head to keep me at the keyboard.
If you want to travel with my on this journey, subscribe to the RSS and check in every once in a while. You can follow me on twitter which I will be using to help me write the book.
May your links be many and aged.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Can’t wait!
Good luck with the book Lyndon, will look out for it. Will also be looking out for some good tips here.
Glad to see someone who really knows social media from experience writing about it. There is too much crap out there by marketers who play with the tools for a few weeks & then dub themselves experts.
Your book is sure to help cut through the noise! Good luck with it.
I’ll be hanging around, great start.
Can’t wait to read more about your thoughts on social media. Great idea to start this blog. Good luck!
Excellent!
Congrats on the book deal and the blog. Look forward to see what comes out of it
Does Mark Nunney know what hes in for LOL
Good luck with the book Lyndon, don’t forget about the little people along the way ;o)
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on social media in more detail.
Hi Lyndon,
I don’t think there could be a better person commissioned to write a book on this subject. You can churn out linkbait with your eyes closed and I for one cannot wait to read your new book!
Good luck with it!
David
Yes, good luck with the book. Don’t think of it so much as “a lot of work”. For most people it’s the actual writing that’s daunting but for someone who writes a lot anyway, just split it up into manageable chunks and I’m sure you’ll be fine.
@kelvin Should be sometime next year, so not too long to wait. In the meantime regular stuff going up here.
@gareth thanks, I’m hoping to be “tip heavy”
@chris, as we well know there are a number of, not exactly charlantans but a lot of people with a lot of theory and not too much real experience
@andrew nice to know you will be hanging
@virginia thanks
@hjortur I’m intereseted too
@dave he knows exactly what he’s up for
@richard In my mind there are no little or big people, I think when you start thinking your a big shot you are on a loser. I still regard myself as someone with a load to learn from people like you.
@david thanks, and the fact I didn’t even pay you to say it makes your words more grateful
@jacob this is probably the hardest part of the job, and twitter makes things harder. It’s all about discipline, blood and sweat
Looking forward to seeing the final book. If anyone knows about this topic, you’re the one. Good Luck!
We’ll be waiting for that book as we know it will be well worth reading. What you know about linkbaiting I know about creating an SEO optimized blog that maximizes reader interaction.
For a blogger of your calibre you may want to consider some of the tips I share in the blog post I’ll link to in this comment. All WordPress blogs are not created equal and it can really make a difference.
(Yes, I did see your post about all the Retweets of your launch and recognize that is because so many value your talents. Having a more polished SEO-optimized blog would grow that even further.)
I know you have much client work to focus on so you could have Derek set one up for you. We’ve got it down to a science now and you can decide how commentator friendly you wish it to be.
Good luck with the new project – keep us updated. I am sure this will be an awesome blog
This will be an awesome blog. I can feel it in my *bones*