Help Choose The Title Of My Next Book On Relationship Marketing

I’m super excited to be working on my next book, which will be my first as a solo author! And, I’d LOVE your help in choosing a title that pops and represents the subject matter really well. The topic is Relationship Marketing – a subject very close to my heart for over a decade, long before social media became so prevalent.

My background, spanning a variety of careers, has always included elements of people + technology + support. When I discovered social media marketing in 2007, it was such a natural blend of everything I’d done up to that point. (I joke about being an “overnight success, ten years in the making! Maybe you can relate?!)

Last year, Chris Treadaway and I co-authored Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day, published in May 2010. Our book is published by Sybex, the technical book division of John Wiley & Sons. (We’re starting to work on v2 now – stay tuned!)

Around the same time that the Facebook Marketing book was coming out, Wiley approached me about doing a book on relationship marketing… I held out for awhile as I needed to find the right timing for me.

The New Relationship Marketing

Now, it’s all systems GO with the Relationship Marketing book contract signed last month! My manuscript is due March 15, 2011 for a publication date in August. 60,000+ words – woohoo!!

Here’s the challenge though: I’m not 100% locked in on the title. The working title Wiley and I came up with is:

The New Relationship Marketing: How to Build a Powerful, Profitable Network Online

I’m looking for a title with more POP, PIZZAZZ, sparkle, wow, memorable, jump-off-the-shelf!! You know, to really reflect my bubbly personality and brand! 😉 Ha, maybe I’m being overly ambitious here. Wiley particularly want “Relationship Marketing” in the title, though it could be in the subtitle and of course I’m fine with that.

The essence of my book is the new fundamentals of growing a successful business based on connecting, blended with timeless principles.  Here’s the book synopsis:

Relationship marketing has existed for some time – people have always done business with people they know, like and trust. And, “social networking” has been around since the dawning of man, when we would sit around the campfire connecting over stories and shared experiences.

What has changed in recent years, though, is the immense popularity of online social networking. We need to hone a whole new set of skills to really master the art of relationship marketing through these social channels. It’s crucial that businesses understand the unspoken rules of etiquette, fresh new protocols, and the unique culture of each popular online platform – otherwise the wrong approach can cause more harm than good.

This book aims to help busy professionals, executives and business owners understand the vital importance of masterful relationship building and relationship management in the new media world. By fostering high quality relationships with customers and their community at large, businesses can easily begin to see an increase in measurable results, including profits.

Plus, those individuals, companies and politicians with the largest “social footprint” get the biggest successes, the big bucks, the big wins. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know – but, more importantly, who knows you and what they know about you. This book provides the reader with an entire game plan for how to build a sizeable, loyal network comprised of quality relationships that results in a continuous stream of leads, happy customers, publicity, deals, opportunities, sales and more.

Single word title?

I really love single word book titles, such as Engage by Brian Solis, or Seth Godin’s books – Tribes and Linchpin. And Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink. Guy Kawasaki‘s new book is Enchantment. (All exceptional books, btw!)

Title ideas so far…

Here are some of the title choices I submitted in my proposal:

• LIKE! How To Build Powerful, Profitable Relationships In the New Media Age
• The Influence Principle: Why Relationships Are The New Currency
• Profitable Relationships: How To Build A Loyal Network of Friends, Fans and Followers and Become The Most Trusted Go-To Expert In Your Industry
• Affinity: The Complete Guide To Building A Sizeable, Loyal and Profitable Network Using The New Web
• The New Relationship Marketing: How To Build A Sizeable Platform, Become A Significant Center of Influence and Prosper In The New Media Age
• Relationships First: How To Build A Loyal Network of Friends, Fans and Followers That Generates Consistent New Business

Recognition if your title is the winner!

Now, it’s your turn! Please feel free to submit any and all ideas in the comments below. If you prefer to contact me privately, send an email to mari at marismith.com. Or DM on Twitter is fine too! 🙂 I’m excited to hear from you! We’re about to start working on the book cover design so do submit your title ideas ASAP!

If I end up choosing the title you submit, I’ll include your name in the book acknowledgments, send you an autographed copy along with other goodies, and give you big props on my Facebook Page, blog and Twitter!!

P.S. Isn’t the magical sparkle blue book image above awesome? I just had to have it – a whopping 10 credits ($15) on iStockPhoto.com. Though I use Zemanta, iStock always has such a super range.

Mari Smith

Often referred to as “the Queen of Facebook,” Mari Smith is widely known as the Premier Facebook Marketing Expert and a top Social Media Thought Leader. Forbes describes Mari as, “… the preeminent Facebook expert. Even Facebook asks for her help.” IBM named Mari as one of seven women that are shaping digital marketing. Mari is an in-demand keynote speaker, corporate social media strategist, dynamic live webcast host, and popular brand ambassador. She is coauthor of Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day, and author of The New Relationship Marketing.

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