Seven Reasons to Read Twitterville


Twitterville - 7 reasons to read Twitterville is a book with a collection of anecdotes and stories about businesses using the social media site Twitter.

One of the best things about this book is how the author, Shel Israel, captures the people and companies that make Twitter such an addicting phenomenon.  While reading the book you begin to feel as if Twitter is a place — a small town perhaps — where you know many of the people.  It’s a place where they may know you, too, or at least know your name.  And you feel welcome … and at home.

That’s why the name “Twitterville” is so apt.

The subtitle of the book is “How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods.”  It is a business book.  But if you are expecting a how-to book for businesses, telling you step by step what to do on Twitter — that’s not this book.

Twitterville is a rich compilation of stories, examples and anecdotes.  It’s thorough in covering the culture and key events in Twitter’s short 3-year history.  I doubt that anyone has explained Twitter inside and out the way Shel Israel does, from a business perspective.

He starts with a short history of Twitter itself, which although just 15 pages, should not be skipped.  It sets the stage for subsequent chapters, which take you through Twitter’s “coming out party.”  You learn important tidbits that explain how Twitter became so popular so quickly.  This is essential to help you understand what Twitter is all about.

7 Reasons You Should Get This Book

Here are 7 reasons to get the book Twitterville.  I’m sure there are more, but these reasons stand out to me:

  1. If you are trying to get your arms around the Twitter phenomenon, Twitterville will immerse you in it for a deep long drink.  The book captures the culture of Twitter brilliantly.
  2. Twitterville is enjoyable to read.  It is well written and the prose flows easily.  It doesn’t necessarily feel like a typical business book, but feels more like a well-written biography of an interesting person.
  3. Twitter insiders will eagerly turn every page of this book.  You’ll be thinking, “Oooh, I wonder what he talks about next.”   It covers many people, businesses and personalities you may have heard of or had interactions with.  (Because after all, Twitter is a place where you can address a message to companies like Starbucks and get a quick response.)
  4. It helps you learn to recognize the undesirables that every community has.  There’s a section on spammers and trolls and other assorted ne’er do wells, that will help you spot them and deal with negative behavior.
  5. You will learn lessons about how your business can participate in Twitter.  But your brain will get a bit of a workout in the process.  The author expects you to participate in drawing lessons from the examples he offers up.
  6. For those interested in personal branding, there’s a good section on it, one that emphasizes giving and authenticity.  But in fact, examples of how people have built personal brands on Twitter are scattered throughout the entire book.  Ideas for how to brand yourself and build your professional reputation abound in this book. So, if you are someone longing to make a name for yourself in the professional world, there’s much to learn and be inspired by.
  7. Midsize to large businesses, especially, will find lessons in this book.  Twitterville has a chapter on small businesses, and examples of small businesses are scattered here and there.  Small businesses have a much smaller place in the book than large businesses.  Still, there are lessons that any size business can draw on throughout the book.

Sound like the kind of book you’ve been waiting for?  I received an advance review copy of Twitterville.  If you order it now, you’ll be among the first in line for when the book ships in another 2 weeks.

Give Twitterville a read — you’ll like it.


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Anita Campbell Anita Campbell is the Founder, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends and has been following trends in small businesses since 2003. She is the owner of BizSugar, a social media site for small businesses.

12 Reactions
  1. Anita,

    Thanks for the review! Now I have to add another book on my reading list! 🙂 Have you listened to Sumaya Kazi’s interview with Shel Israel on Socially Speaking radio show?

    Is the author covering other microblogging players, e.g. FriendFeed, Jaiku and Plurk? I think that an updated version of the book has to covering Facebook’s acquisition of FriendFeed and how that could increase the popularity of microblogging. Do you think the next big piece of literature will discuss the “lifestreaming” phenomena?

  2. Dear Anita, It is so refreshing to read a book review that stays simple, yet has substance. Twitterville sounds like just the kind of book I have been looking for. You write the best reviews!!!!

    Hope you are well. Look forward to seeing you next month in D.C.

    Best regards,
    Marie

  3. Sounds like a good read! I agree with the Author, Twitter is like a small town or a bar where you know all the regulars.

  4. RedHotFranchises

    Excellent Review! I’m always hungry for more knowledge especially keeping up to date with the current knowledge base , This book will definitely help. Thanks for the Insight!

  5. The book sounds good. Although I have twitter already, I still need resources to teach me how to maximize its potential. I think this will be a good reading.

  6. Sounds like a good read. I would be interested to get any advice on how to make the most of Twitter.

  7. Will the book be available on Kindle? I’ve got a new Amazon gift card burning a hole in my pocket.

  8. Hi Robert, it doesn’t look like it’s on Kindle yet. That may be due to the fact that it hasn’t been released yet — still 2 weeks before release, although you can order it now. But since Kindle is an immediate download, they probably feel like they have to wait until the book is actually out.

    – Anita

  9. Hi Marie, Glad you enjoyed the review — and yes, let’s definitely get together when I’m in D.C.

    Hi Kim, That is so true about Twitter. I’m glad to be one of the regulars. 🙂

    – Anita

  10. This does sound like an interesting read and I’m curious to see what it really says about people as well. I’m sure there are many insights to be gained and I’ll be on the lookout for this one in the bookstore.