Six Pixels of Separation

In broad strokes, I have two things to say about Mitch Joel's book Six Pixels of Separation.

First, it's a timely and important read.

Second, I didn't particularly care for it.

Why it's important: it builds a cogent case for leveraging social media as part of an overall business strategy. More than that, it offers helpful insights about how to do so, not just by way of "tips and tricks" but through stories that get the point across quite well. Joel writes: "Everyone is connected. Connect your business to everyone." Indeed, Six Pixels of Separation is an excellent starting point for people curious about not just the "why" of social media, but perhaps also the "how".

Why it didn't resonate with me: I felt that it lacked "oomph", and found myself mostly getting impatient to be done with it because it just never picked up the pace. Compared to a book like, say, What Would Google Do?, which makes plenty of similar points (albeit for a different reason), Six Pixels of Separation seemed rather anemic.

That said, Joel has an interesting blog of the same name. Methinks I prefer his writing in small doses, as opposed to the lengthier exposition that a book affords.