Social Media is Bullshit Book Summary - Social Media is Bullshit Book explained in key points

Social Media is Bullshit summary

B.J. Mendelson

Why social media is overhyped.

3.4 (25 ratings)
18 mins

Brief summary

Social Media is Bullshit by B.J. Mendelson explores the myths and misconceptions around social media and its effectiveness for businesses. It exposes the truth behind the hype and provides insights into the marketing industry.

Table of Contents

    Social Media is Bullshit
    Summary of 11 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 11

    The social media revolution in society and business is a myth.

    In recent years, social media has been hailed as revolutionary and as a marketing tool that no entrepreneur or business can neglect if they want to be successful. But are these assumptions about social media really true?

    Let’s start with the fact that most social media outlets are actually owned by corporations. Sure, it’s true that there was a time where we more or less had an equal voice on the web, and you could use your blog, for example, to independently gain access to an audience and be heard. But today the majority of the most popular blogs are owned by media conglomerates like Google, Time Warner or AOL.

    In fact, most sites with user-created content are actually exploiting their users: people create content for free for sites like the Huffington Post, which the big corporations then turn to profit through advertising.

    Furthermore, there’s nothing too new or revolutionary about social media. In fact, most of these “new” sites are simply reiterations of older ideas: before Twitter, there was AOL Instant Messenger; before Facebook, there was Classmates.com; and even Google has been around since 1999.

    And they’re no more “revolutionary” than they are new. There is no real difference in the way we interacted with media before the advent of social media and what we do now: we tweet about what’s happening on TV, not the other way around.

    Moreover, all the hype around social media sounds a lot like a pitch for a get-rich-quick scheme: just use social media and soon you’ll be a millionaire, too!

    Social media is not a revolutionary marketing tool, but a handful of success stories where someone like Justin Bieber was lucky enough to get rich after becoming a YouTube sensation make it easier for Marketers to sell us the “secrets” of making money on social media, and for Analysts to sell their advice to businesses.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Social Media is Bullshit?

    Key ideas in Social Media is Bullshit

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Social Media is Bullshit about?

    Social Media Is Bullshit puts a damper on the hype around social media by unveiling the economy behind it and addressing the commonly held misconceptions about the value of social networks for business. While social media can be a valuable asset for certain companies, it is not the cure-all that marketers and social media gurus would have you believe!

    Social Media is Bullshit Review

    Social Media is Bullshit (2012) by B.J. Mendelson is a thought-provoking exploration of the hype surrounding social media and its true impact. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • With sharp analysis and in-depth research, it debunks myths and exposes the reality behind social media's promises of fame and success.
    • The book raises critical questions about the effectiveness and actual value of social media marketing, challenging conventional wisdom and encouraging a more discerning approach.
    • By exploring real-life examples and sharing personal experiences, the author brings authenticity and practical insights that make this book thought-provoking and definitely not boring.

    Best quote from Social Media is Bullshit

     

    —B.J. Mendelson
    example alt text

    Who should read Social Media is Bullshit?

    • Anyone who is considering promoting themselves or their business on social media
    • Anyone who believes that social media has somehow revolutionized marketing
    • Anyone wondering why their social media strategy isn’t working

    About the Author

    B.J. Mendelson is an author, comedian, and advocate for breast cancer awareness. He has also contributed to CNN, Forbes and the Huffington Post.

    Categories with Social Media is Bullshit

    Book summaries like Social Media is Bullshit

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    30 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    Social Media is Bullshit FAQs 

    What is the main message of Social Media is Bullshit?

    The main message of Social Media is Bullshit is that social media is overhyped and doesn't deliver on its promises.

    How long does it take to read Social Media is Bullshit?

    The reading time for Social Media is Bullshit varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Social Media is Bullshit a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Social Media is Bullshit is a thought-provoking read that challenges common beliefs about social media. It's definitely worth exploring.

    Who is the author of Social Media is Bullshit?

    The author of Social Media is Bullshit is B.J. Mendelson.

    What to read after Social Media is Bullshit?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Social Media is Bullshit, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Free Speech by Jacob Mchangama
    • Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
    • Fast. Feast. Repeat. by Gin Stephens
    • Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by Caroline Leaf
    • Indistractable by Nir Eyal
    • Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
    • Moore’s Law by Arnold Thackray
    • Walmart by Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts
    • On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
    • Life After Google by George Gilder