Smart Social Media How to grow your business with social media marketing, reviewed

We look at the new publication by Luan Wise. You can see more about Smart Social Media How to grow your business with social media marketing here.

Smart Social Media How to grow your business with social media marketing, reviewed

This book is good, but also quite short. There are times when some of the sidebars leaving you wanting a bit more substance and detailed explanation of the concepts and techniques that have been referred to. When a book is done and dusted at just over 150 pages, you do wonder if they perhaps left some gems still on the table or cutting room floor.

We enjoyed it as far as it went, but the Gary Vee and Nike blurbs really seem like snippets than giving the reader any real insights or actionable takeaways. With Gary Vee it would have been interesting to have the author’s take on the variety of platforms he is on, and his tendency to verge towards the potty mouthed. Similarly with Nike it could have included observations on many, or any of their innovative campaigns, while perhaps addressing their slower response to ethical concerns around their means of production?

Each to their own perhaps, but a second edition could at least expand on some of the case studies included.

More about the book

You might be using ‘social media’ everyday, but are you maximizing its potential to best benefit your business? Understanding the implications of using social media strategically to enhance and complement marketing initiatives at work is crucial to unlocking your business’s growth, and Luan Wise is here to help.

Written by a recognized trainer for both LinkedIn and Meta, Smart Social Media is grounded in the insights gained from hands-on consultancy work, plus hours of personal research, observations, and in-depth reviews of the platforms themselves. Both practical and informative, Smart Social Media is full of actionable insights and valuable guidance that will emphasize the importance of using social media strategically, to enhance brand awareness, boost engagement, build relationships with your customers, and keep up with ever-changing consumer behaviour.

Drawing insights from real-life case studies and success stories, Luan Wise breakdown the most critical issues, including: Understanding how social media marketing can drive growth for your business; Knowing how to build a strong brand presence on relevant social media platforms; Using social media to guide buyers through their journey from awareness to advocacy; and Recognizing the benefits of collaborations, partnerships, and online communities to support business growth.

More about the author

I’ve been a marketer for 25 years. I studied the theory fundamentals before social media as a marketing communications channel even existed! That’s why my thinking and advice are firmly routed in going back to basics and focusing on key elements such as target audiences and setting SMART objectives.

I stay up-to-date with the latest industry data, trends and platform changes. I spend my days scrolling the platforms and observing brand activity and user behaviours.

I’m hands-on, running my social media accounts (reaching over 25,000 people), volunteering as a social media ambassador for The Trussell Trust and supporting clients when they need extra resources*. I’m a fresh pair of eyes to sense check ideas and review content plans. You’ll find that I work from my head and heart, using gut feel, supported by data.

* I do not offer ongoing social media management services, however I do partner with an agency if this is a requirement

I deliver training which means I’m always looking for insights and examples. I have created online learning courses for LinkedIn and led training on behalf of Meta, Google and a number of professional associations and training organisations.

If you’re looking for social media resources, including platform news and recommended tools, head over to my resource website www.thelighthouse.social

I’m also an author. My self-published books ‘Relax! It’s Only Social Media’ and ‘Planning for Success: A practical guide to setting and achieving your social media marketing goals’ have both won a National Indie Excellence Award, and my social media planner was listed by the Independent online as one of the 9 best books for entrepreneurs. I’m publishing a new title with Bloomsbury Business in September 2024 and working on a new project for Routledge to publish in 2025.

Having set up my own business in 2011, I’m proud to represent the self-employed community as an ambassador for IPSE.

I could go on, telling you about my campervan adventures, my love of floating on a lake in my kayak or how I colour-code my bookshelves but let’s save those stories for when we talk!

See her website here.

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