New England Adobe User Group

Book Reviews

Return on Engagement

by Tim Frick
Focal Press
Published: 2010

I've read this book twice now, that's right twice, and it's 2012 - two years after being published. Usually by then, technology books are being used to level out a dresser, so that says a lot about this little gem. The content is forward thinking and covers developments in social media trends that were, at the time, cutting edge and are now the centerfold to our daily lives as web based businesses. This book is for anyone who wants to establish a web based presence, whether its a combination of a blog page that hooks into an RSS feed and Facebook updates or a full fledged website with email marketing, autoresponders, RSS, and social media hook ins. It covers the benefits and dangers of utilizing social media, offers helpful story spreads of actual entrepreneurs who have succeeded in the game, and gives you tips on how to best maximize you time within this world. I'm amazed at how much is covered in a short 300 pages; this being said, don't expect to learn how to use a CMS or the techniques that go into building a Feed. This books lays out the territory by introducing the world of engaging web-based hubs while pointing you to helpful websites and concepts. From there, it's up to you to learn the techniques associated with each.

A highly recommended read.

The Photoshop Darkroom – Creative Digital Post-Processing