I’ve read many books the topics of new PR rules and modern digital marketing, but have yet to come across a book that clearly spells out the how of social media from a strategic and conceptual state into the first steps of tactical execution.  To date, most books have been hitting me over the head with a message of “you’re an idiot if you don’t use these new tools and techniques.”  OK, I hear you loud and clear on that.  

What Groundswell provides is actual play-by-play on what to do and how to get it done.  This isn’t a technical book on building a Facebook application or designing a blog theme. No, we’ve got the web to accurately feed us that info.  Groundswell is a book that discusses social media as a fully evolved sport with offensive and defensive strategies that you can execute to achieve goals.

Third Thursday is a wonderful discussion and networking event organized by Mike Manuel of Voce Communications and Jen McClure of New Communications Research.  Holly and I have learned plenty from the community that Mike and Jen have put together and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to give back. Furthermore, Groundswell, the book Charlene co-authored with Josh Bernoff is absolutely a must read.  I have said in the past that if Social Media were a sport, Groundswell would be the playbook.