Deals with social media and marketing and the clue train manifesto... - Joe

Oh, sigh. Doc S. still seems to think the Cluetrain Manifesto was something real and Fundamentally Important...but, fortunately, seems to get that "Social Media" is marketeering and not much else. - Walt Crawford

Social media is more than just marketing. But, businesses seem to think that. Librarians have an opportunity to use real social media for connecting more to our patrons, not just as a bullhorn... - Joe

Joe: Read the current C&I. Libraries can certainly use social networks--but "social media" has become an empty buzzword. (OK, that's my opinion, but read my essay before you dismiss it out of hand.) Ah, but based on your Liking Godin's latest nonsense, I'm guessing you'll disagree anyway. - Walt Crawford

Certainly agree that social media has become an empty buzzword. I'll go find your essay tomorrow. I don't always use the like button as a like, but as a tag. I agree with godin in some of the post, but he can be too far out there on other things. I keep in mind that he is a business marketer, and not as aligned with non-profit service entites like academic and public libraries. - Joe from iPod

Essentially, I agree with Godin that publishers are having a hard time dealing with the non print newspaper and book market. They need to deal with a new paradigm, and I even dislike the p word. - Joe from iPod

I wonder. Yes, newspaper publishers have a hard time staying in business if there's no revenue--but print newspapers ain't going away in 3 years or 10 (a few, yes; most, no). As for books--most large publishers are in the ebook business, but (I suspect correctly) don't see it as replacing print books in any great hurry. And their ability to make ebooks a lot cheaper is limited by the fact that "being in print" only accounts about 10-14% of a book's price. - Walt Crawford

As for the magazine industry and book industry being "doomed"--well, Godin can say anything he wants, can't he? No all-digital "new paradigm" is on the near-term horizon from all the facts I've seen. - Walt Crawford

Sorry Jesse for the threadjacking by Walt and me. Walt, Just read your latest C&I. Now I understand your hatred of the term social media... - Joe

Joe. Thanks. "Hatred" may be strong; "general dislike" is more like it--as part of being generally upset about Branding and Marketing everything in life. Jesse: Apologies from this quarter also. - Walt Crawford