On my to-read list for 2011

A belated Happy New Year everyone! Continuing with tradition, I wanted to share with you the top books on my reading list for 2011 — in particular, the top three social media marketing books:

1. Terms of Engagement for Social Media Marketing [Richard Axelrod]

Social media… We know all about that, right? But how do you go about changing traditional organizations enough for social media to really succeed? And how do you get those skeptics and, most importantly, the people who hold the purse strings to really take it seriously? You know, to get things like budget… and resources.

Some key lessons I’ve learned over the past year is that social media requires involvement and inclusion, and needs the backing of the right people. This is why I’m eager to read more from Richard Axelrod [best name, ever] about new ways of leading and changing organizations.

2. Open Leadership [Charlene Li]

Ok, I’m kind of embarrassed that I haven’t read this one yet. Originally, I was waiting for it to come out in iBooks and then it did (but I forgot to check until now!).  

Along the similar theme to “Terms of Engagement”, Charlene Li’s follow-up to Groundswell also asks companies to take a closer look at themselves when it comes to social media. The book’s theme is how to use social media to be open while still maintaining control.

3. Engage [Brian Solis]

Contrary to what the title suggests, this book is not about weddings [boom boom!] , but about applying social media to succeed in business. It covers how to create effective strategies, actual examples and success measures. It even includes a foreword by Ashton Kutcher [groan]. Despite this, I’ve heard good things!

Does anyone else have any good book recommendations? And for those who have read these books, what did you think?