My review quoted below was actually posted over on Amazon. Dom Sagolla’s book was just released and I had a great time watching it transform from an inspiration in Dom’s mind to something that I can hold in my hand and share with others. This is a style guide through and through and worth the $9-$12 purchase through Amazon.
I’ve read the book, 140 Characters, twice now and have become a better user of social media because of it. In my generation, we grew up with Myspace and blogging and the idea of social networking is just as common as a cell phone. all of my peers use Twitter but there was something missing.
I was a user but I knew there was more to this and more that could be learned to effectively broadcast my message of “what I’m doing” to nearly 4 thousand followers. Dom Sagolla helped make that happen.
Sure I’m friends with Dom and may have gotten a copy of the text early but that doesn’t mean I didn’t learn something and now want to shout if from the rooftops.
140 Characters is for a person who is new to Twitter or who just celebrated their 3rd year of using the service. Of course, users of Facebook and Myspace aren’t excluded. this book helps readers cultivate their story, engage their audience and capitalize on Twitter’s impossible message limitations.
I say “impossible” because that’s how I felt when joining Twitter. “140 characters? How am I going to post what I’m doing in such a small space?”
Well, over time, I adapted my own style and continue to improve on that. Dom’s book merely took my hand and opened a few more doorways to explore. There are styles & processes that I never would have used and the only way to go beyond “using Twitter” and “mastering Twitter” is to read 140 Characters, stopping often to try what you just read.
The Kindle version is cheaper, portable and works on iPhone or Kindle. It’s a great way to get the book NOW. However, the layout and design of the print version is excellent as well. Get both! :P
I’ve since bought the book twice in paperback and once on the Kindle. Soon the iPhone app is coming and I’ve been testing it out and it’s going to be a fantastic experience on your phone! The book comes alive on the iPhone and that’s probably all I can say.