It’s January 20th and there couldn’t be a better date to set as Inauguration Day for the Social Media Field Guide website! The site and this blog, Field Notes, is the always-updated addendum to the book Social Media Field Guide: A Resource for Graphic Communicators, just published by Printing Industries of America Press.
We wrote the book for anyone (but with a focus on our peers in the graphic communication/print service provider industry) interested in using social media to further business relationships, reach out to new potential customers and yes, even help sell (gasp!) one’s products and services. We think it’s a pretty well-rounded guide—take a look at the Book Resources section of the site and you’ll find some sample pages to read and judge for yourself. Saying that, we also know that the world of social media is one that spins at an ever-increasing rate and something new happens just about every day (heck, almost every hour!) A book is a wonderful tool for a deep dive into a subject, but when it covers technology, we think there should be a venue for readers to discover the latest in related news and information. That’s where the website comes in.
We gathered some of the best RSS feeds and links to social media-related resources sites and posted them in the Links & Feeds section. You’ll find the top three most current stories from those feeds in the blue box on the Home page so you don’t have to dig too deep for the latest news. We’ll add new how-to tips to that section of the site often to help you take advantage of all the tools available to help you on your social media journey. And Mary and I will keep the conversation going through this blog. We hope that you’ll join us with your own comments as well.
I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun with this ever-growing, always new site and I know you will find it a useful resource. Please drop a note and tell us how you like the site!
— Julie Shaffer