Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsGreatest contribution to the field of social media marketing
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2014
Jay Baer’s Youtility is arguably the greatest contribution to the field of social media marketing since 2012. As an experienced marketer, he demonstrates how friend-of-mine marketing is reshaping our approach to traditional top-of-mind (AFLAC!!) and frame-of-mind marketing (lead nurturing) mindsets where readers can now understand the power of real-time marketing and apps. He also puts some real meat around the bones of topics like content relevancy and usefulness.
What keeps this book from being number one on the list is the scope of its contribution to an entire MBA curriculum. The book was likely aimed at practitioners needing interpretations of how consumers work in the world of SoLoMo (social, local, mobile) context marketing.
The book, in my opinion, qualifies academically as a supplementary reading for undergraduate and MBA level courses. The recommendation is based on the following:
1) As one of the most knowledgeable and current experts in the field of social content marketing, Jay builds a convincing argument that success in a social era is more about being “useful” than being “amazing.”
2) His friend-of-mine approach to marketing is backed by numerous large and small brand examples of apps that help us in real-time decision making. The spread of examples applied to his concept of “Youtility” build a case for “sideways marketing” (widening the funnel by solving related problems without being opportunistic) that challenges typical sales funnel approaches to content marketing.
3) This fresh approach to real-time problem solving is now being widely adopted but not well understood or convincing prior to Jay’s book release. Youtility demonstrates very well how branded content used in decision making apps offer the best hope for audience connection while widening the funnel in the process.
4) Jay uses real life experiences in his travel life to explain many points. The apps used to demonstrate his “Youtility” concept (e.g., Charmin’s Sit or Squat, Clorox’s My Stain, Hilton Suggest, etc.) are well known but previously underestimated as a powerful marketing tool.
5) Jay’s fun loving personality and fascinating life stories keep your interest cover to cover.
