Customer Focused Innovation

I was recently asked for help in getting up-to-speed on social media. While I'm not an expert, I have spent some time researching the topic. So, I agreed to pull together a list of resources.

Here is what I came up with. While this list might be exhausting, it is by no means exhaustive.

If you are serious about learning more about social media, the best way is to start using the tools. But, before you get started, you should check your corporate policies and become knowledgeable of safe internet practices.

When you're ready, I recommend checking out all of the following (listed in no particular order). I'd encourage you to go beyond signing up and start using these tools to engage in discussions, whether they are personal or professional.

- Blogs (via RSS feeds)
- LinkedIn
- Twitter
- YouTube
- Facebook
- Delicious

There are several different research studies on the topic. The two that I've used the most are:

- Universal McCann – Power to the People is in its fourth year of measuring online trends globally.
- Forrester Social Technographics – another global research project that looks at online participation

A few of the many influential social media individuals (these would be good people to follow on Twitter or subscribe to their blogs):

- Chris Brogan – Focuses on helping companies leverage social media to build relationships and deliver value.
- Seth Godin – He is strictly marketing, but marketing is one of the early adopters of social media.
- David Armano – Expert in the field and writes for Harvard Business and Business Week on occasion.
- Scott Monty – Head of social media for Ford.

Some books (Amazon links included):

- Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation,...
- Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies
- Grown up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World

Your turn - What did I miss?

Note: This post was originally posted in Customer Connection on 11/5/2009.