Myths of Social Media: Dismiss the Misconceptions and Use Social Media Effectively in Business

Michelle Carvill is a strategic marketer, digital agency founder, consultant, CIM Course Director, speaker and five times published author in the marketing, digital and social media space.

For almost two decades she’s been advising clients on marketing and social media strategy and leads a team delivering practical social media planning and management. In Jan 2021, Michelle was recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Inspirational Business Women by Small Business Britain. In March 2021, shortlisted as Digital Woman of the Year and named by Business Insider at one of the Top 10 Social Media Experts in the UK. As Course Director at CIM, she leads their Social Media Strategy Masterclass – and for over a decade has provided training solutions both in the UK and overseas to a wide range of organisations including PWC, LinkedIn, Air Products, West Fraser, ICAEW, Capital Group, WABCO and ACC.

Ian MacRae is a work psychologist and author. Ian completed a BA (Hons.) in Psychology from the University of British Columbia (2011) and an MSc Research Methods in Psychology from University College London in 2012. He founded High Potential Psychology in 2014.
He has written six books on workplace psychology which have been translated into 10 different languages. Ian regularly contributes to magazines including HR Magazine, People Management and The Irish Tech News. His work has been featured on BBC World News, GQ, The Guardian and the Financial Times and BBC Capital. He has developed psychometric tests and assessments which have been used by tens of thousands of people and have been translated into dozens of languages.

Why did you write the book?

Social media has become fully embedded as key marketing and communication channels – however, we recognised that we couldn’t make assumptions that everyone across a business was au fait with the nuances of how they operate and best practice. Therefore, we wanted to set out, using helpful and instructive, sometimes entertaining and occasionally eye-watering examples of what you should and should not do to ensure that readers were fully up to speed – and understood that whilst some of the technologies may change slightly – the strategic approach is timeless.

What value does the book offer?

Myths of Social Media debunks the most commonly held myths and shows businesses and individuals how to use social media effectively for work and at work.

The book looks at the key opportunities in using social media in marketing and business along with practical steps that anyone can use in building their business or their brand on social media. But it also provides an analysis on the major social trends that influence social media and explanations of the psychology of social media: showcasing the real impact on people. Myths of social media provides a deeper understanding of what’s really going on with social media, as well as the practical steps and tools you can be using to get the most out of it (and also what pitfalls and mistakes to avoid!).

What’s happened since you published the book?

Social media is now integrated into most people’s lives, so we need to understand how to use, manage and work within digital environments safely and effectively. Writing a book with a co-author, especially a co-author from a different field is always a fascinating and rewarding experience. As much as any one person can know about a topic, the opportunity to get deep into researching and writing about a topic with someone who brings a unique wealth of experience from their own field and business really helps to dive deeper into a topic, examine it from every angle and gain a whole new perspective on how to achieve your objectives and do it with insight, empathy and purpose.

Myths of Social Media: Dismiss the Misconceptions and Use Social Media Effectively in Business (Published by Kogan Page) is available to buy on Amazon. 

Connect with Michelle: LinkedIn – Twitter – Instagram

Connect with Ian: LinkedIn – Twitter – YouTube

Winners of The Business Book Awards 2021 will be revealed online on Tuesday 25th May 2021.