Yes. I know, I know. The book’s been out for over a year and I’m only reading and reviewing it now. But good ideas have staying power. That’s why I’m bothering. Besides, the authors tell great stories about Kiva, Zappos.com, charity: water and especially about Sameer and Vinay, two south asian people separately looking for a bone marrow match, to fight their cancer; as great and heartfelt an opening story as any book can have.
The Dragonfly Effect is a simple step-by-step primer on how to do and use social media, targeted at non-profits and social action movements. But the advice is sufficiently universal and useful for any solopreneur and business. Practical advice, solid examples, a wonderful absence of SocMed hype allows the reader to make sense without pretence. You do not need to be a master or rock star of anything to use and enjoy this book.
The metaphor is interesting. Dragonflies have four wings and use them to abruptly change direction, not to mention stop and hover, flying forward, and I’m sure, other good stuff. The authors have distilled four principles, focus, grab attention, engage and take action, one for each wing. Sound simple? It is. Dumb? It is not.
Along with the book is a website that actually has useful material about the Dragonfly Effect, not just sales hype for the book. The site covers the basics with references to examples in the book. I suppose you could just read the site and get the essence of the ideas but you would miss the kernel and wonderful positive attitude the authors bring to their ideas. The book has a ring of authenticity, to use the latest Social Media buzzword, and some great storytelling.
The two authors are social psychologist/academic researcher Jennifer Aaker and her venture capitalist husband, Andy Smith.
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