I read this book because I was thinking about setting up a Face Book group for a local business support group I’m a member of, in the hope that I would benefit from it. In fact, Penny Power doesn’t say much about Face Book, but does tell me how to make better use of my blog and Twitter (I’m using it to publicise my art sales website). Time will tell whether this is reflected in sales, but I reckon it can’t do me any harm, so watch this space! Selling art is very dependent on publicity, and advertising is expensive. I therefore try to use any cheap or free publicity opportunities. I am now wondering whether actually I am up to running a Face Book group, which hadn’t occurred to me before. Will I crash and burn or be a star turn, will people want or need it? Wait and see. I will report progress on my blog.

Penny Power set up and runs “Ecademy”, a network for people using social networking to help them promote their businesses. Her basic message is that, to use social networking you need a helpful, almost altruistic, approach towards others - this thread runs through the entire book. She is also of the opinion that society is becoming more caring. I am less convinced by this, but am interested by her vision of the future, where people’s CVs will state what Face Book groups they run and so forth. Incidentally, I wish the Ecademy website front page gave the information on the joining cost, especially as she says in her book that it can be difficult to get people to pay for this sort of service.

I would certainly recommend this book to bloggers and Twitterers everywhere, and perhaps more besides. If you are new to blogging, read it in conjunction with “Blogging for Dummies”. ( )