Image: Amazon

During the 2009 Inbound Marketing Summit at Gillette Stadium, a number of speakers referenced Hugh MacLeod’s Ignore Everyone, as a book that anyone working in the social media realm should check out. I took the suggestion and was happy with the read. Not only does the book offer an insight into the Gaping Void’s scribe’s journey from point A as an ad exec to penning a successful blog and cartoonist, but also gives two really important life lessons – Don’t Quit Your Day Job & Never Do a Hobby for Work.

Aside from those two lessons. MacLeod features some of his business card art work as reflections of the chapters themselves.

While this isn’t much of a book review, I would say to check out the book and take the lessons to heart. The biggest takeaway that I took from it was to have a hobby and do it your way, be it a blog, sketching, writing food reviews or making videos. Have fun with it and don’t try to make it all about money, otherwise you’ll be one of those lonely guys at the end of the bar.

Flickr - Floridapfe

Welcome to the end of the week. Is it me, or did this week simply fly? Nice to start the week with warm weather only to have it close out with flurries in some areas, cold as hell in others. I love New England winters, it will only get better.  But hey the weekend is just eight hours away and I’ve got lunch plans tomorrow with a buddy at some downtown establishments and without further adieu, here is this week’s five for Friday.

How to integrate social media into your marketing – This is a great presentation from Jason Baer that aligns with a lot of things that I’ve been pushing for inside my organization, social media is a supplement to existing marketing channels – not a replacement. This was passed along from Rachel Levy, and is definitely worth taking a look at.

Nine marketing tips from a six-year old’s lemonade stand – Who would have thought that a six-year old would hold the secrets to a successful marketing campaign. They ideas may be basic, but they are rooted in principles that work, especially in the realm of social media.

Six social media trends in 2010 – This is a great post from David Armano (a recent presentation of his HERE) that looks at the emerging trends for 2010. One of the biggest shockers (sarcasm) was the concept of companies looking into SM as a cost-savings tool and scalability.

Want retention? Integrate your Microsite into social – This post comes way of Stuart Foster over at the Lost Jacket. The idea of integration is not new, but it’s the spin that marketers are looking for. Is social media more about attracting new or engaging existing customers? From my take on Stuart’s piece it’s more about making the existing extensions of your marketing program with interaction.

Study shows social media is actually social – So the myth that using social media sites make individuals anti-social has been busted. Cue the montage by Adam and Jamie.

This week’s #followfriday was sponsored by the letter A.

Wonder if this will be Al Gore’s new yacht…