10 Free Books on Social Media to Add to Your Summer Reading List

Social media in all its forms has become something more than the optional step into the modern business model it used to be. Now it is mandatory. Businesses from large corporations to tiny “mom and pop” shops are expected to have an online presence of some level. Not having a Facebook page or a Twitter account can actually lose you business.

The best way to learn about social media is through both studying and participating. When you are doing so as a business, learning more about it before venturing out can be a good plan. That way you avoid common pitfalls – and full on social disasters – and increase the positive results from your campaign.

Here are twelve amazing book on the subject from some of the leading experts in the field.

1. The Future Of Reputation

Professor Daniel J Solove teaches law at the University of Washington. His main topic of interest seems to be privacy, and the effects of privacy thanks to commonly used technology. This book covers social media specifically, and the way it has effected personal reputation.

He points out that a single mistake – or even a prank, joke or personal moment – can ruin someone’s life. Social media has made it possible. His book covers the pros and cons of a system that eliminates privacy and makes such an impact on reputation.

My only complaint is that Daniel’s book cover is a bit confusing: It makes me think it’s one of Seth Godin’s books for some reason.

2. The Definitive Guide to Social Media Marketing

This 90-page guide has gone more in depth when it comes to specific social media sites. You can find a lot more info on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and how all three can be used for both business networking and direct customer engagement. The chapters on blogging and social search are also incredibly helpful.

3. 25 Actionable Social Media Strategies You Can Implement Today

Buffer has once more released a great ebook without any frills. This guide focuses on enhancing your social media presence on four key sites: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. It’s one of the most actionable books you’ll ever come across: They don’t bother adding in anything that won’t be directly helpful for users. You’ll find yourself rushing to implement some of the tips right away!

4. Strategically Social: 5 Keys to Becoming a Social Business

Brent Leary focuses on both social and mobile integration of a social media plan for businesses of all size. The basic idea is to increase customer engagement through five different approaches. He believes the trick is “socializing the business culture”, rather than the technology that businesses use. He makes a very interesting case.

The book dates back to 2012 but its strategic recommendations are still very up-to-date.

5. Lead Generation with Facebook Ads

Adespresso did a great job creating this introductory guide to using Facebook for effective marketing. This covers tools on the site, how to use them, how to acquire and process data, putting together a campaign, reaching customers and more.

In the eBook we will go over:

• different types of lead generation magnets

• a comprehensive list of landing page tools

• how to drive traffic to your lead magnet

• how to nurture your leads

• a useful checklist to help build your lead generation process

6. Why Your Blog Is Your Social Media Hub

Blogging guru Debbie Weil got together responses from dozens of professionals to the question of why they believed their blog to be their social media hub. Bloggers for big names like Ford and IBM were amongst popular writers like Seth Godin Sandy Carter. All blog owners should read this.

7. Social Media Time Management

One problem many people have when they use professional social media is productivity. It is too easy to be distracted, and it is possible to put too much effort into a social networking account when you should be placing it elsewhere. But Amber Naslund tackles the problem, showing you how to properly manage your time online in this area.

This is another book that is more than a couple of years old but it is still must-have. Without getting into too much detail (like tools, etc.) which can quickly become outdated, Amber has managed to provide quite an evergreen piece on useful principles organizing your social media activity.

8. Listen Up! Guide to Social Listening for Smarter Business

This book talks about marketing and PR in social media. But mostly about how marketing has become a gam played in real time, rather than planned ahead. He talks about coping with this change, and developing a strategy for it.

• Find the online conversations that matter most
• Use social media monitoring to inform efforts across the organization
• Start your own viral marketing memes

9. 2017 Social Media Marketing Industry Report

Social Media Examiner has published this ebook that is considered a must-read on any social media book list. Full of stats and numbers, it might take some focus. But it will teach you a great deal about the true nature and benefits of social media, especially where sites dedicated to networking are concerned.

Internet Marketing Ninjas team wanted to present the ultimate guide for beginning social media. Presenting the idea that it is about social science, rather than social technology, we teach you what that means and how it will change your approach to the entire process. It is both informational and practical, and so definitely one you want to read.

Do you have a social media ebook you would like to share? Leave us a link and description in the comments!