The Dragonfly Effect

Proven strategies for harnessing the power of social media to drive social change

Many books teach the mechanics of using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to compete in business. But no book addresses how to harness the incredible power of social media to make a difference. The Dragonfly Effect shows you how to tap social media and consumer psychological insights to achieve a single, concrete goal. Named for the only insect that is able to move in any direction when its four wings are working in concert, this book

• Reveals the four "wings" of the Dragonfly Effect-and how they work together to produce colossal results
• Features original case studies of global organizations like the Gap, Starbucks, Kiva, Nike, eBay, Facebook; and start-ups like Groupon and COOKPAD, showing how they achieve social good and customer loyalty
• Leverage the power of design thinking and psychological research with practical strategies
• Reveals how everyday people achieve unprecedented results-whether finding an almost impossible bone marrow match for a friend, raising millions for cancer research, or electing the current president of the United States

The Dragonfly Effect shows that you don't need money or power to inspire seismic change.

“Marketing gurus (and married couple) Aaker and Smith turn Aaker's popular class at the Stanford Graduate School of Business into a handbook on using the power and popularity of social media to do good in the world. They employ real-world examples--an e-mail campaign to register bone marrow donors for hard-to-match patients, a Colombian engineer who used Facebook to organize a protest against the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Obama's grassroots campaign, the microlending site Kiva--to illustrate their mantra F+GET: "Focus, Grab Attention, Engage, Take Action." This is the "Dragonfly Effect," named for the insect's ability to move in any direction when its four wings work together. Specific, practical advice teaches readers how to translate anything--a product, service, community concern--into a powerful narrative that invites participation, how to communicate with potential supporters, how to craft a compelling video, and more. A fascinating, comprehensive guide for how to take your cause and compassion viral. (Oct.) ( Publishers Weekly , July 26, 2010)”

Marketing gurus (and married couple) Aaker and Smith turn Aaker's popular class at the Stanford Graduate School of Business into a handbook on using the power and popularity of social media to do good in the world. They employ real-world examples--an e-mail campaign to register bone marrow donors for hard-to-match patients, a Colombian engineer who used Facebook to organize a protest against the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Obama's grassroots campaign, the microlending site Kiva--to illustrate their mantra F+GET: "Focus, Grab Attention, Engage, Take Action." This is the "Dragonfly Effect," named for the insect's ability to move in any direction when its four wings work together. Specific, practical advice teaches readers how to translate anything--a product, service, community concern--into a powerful narrative that invites participation, how to communicate with potential supporters, how to craft a compelling video, and more. A fascinating, comprehensive guide for how to take your cause and compassion viral. (Oct.) (Publishers Weekly, July 26, 2010)

A social psychologist and marketer, JENNIFER AAKER is the General Atlantic Professor of Marketing at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Her research focuses on time, money, and happiness, and how small acts create significant change—fueled by social media. Her work has been featured in a variety of media including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BusinessWeek, Forbes, and NPR, as well as CBS MoneyWatch.

ANDY SMITH is a principal of Vonavona Ventures, where he advises companies on marketing, customer strategy, and operations. Over the past 20 years, he has served as a high tech executive, leading teams at Dolby Labs, BIGWORDS, LiquidWit, Intel, Analysis Group, Polaroid, Integral Inc., and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

" The Dragonfly Effect is the single best road map to social media I have ever seen. With ideas rooted in research and examples rooted in life, it offers both big strategies and small tips that you can use to invigorate your business, increase your happiness, and maybe even change the world. So do yourself a favor: take two hours and read this remarkable book." -- Daniel H. Pink , author of A Whole New Mind and Drive " The Dragonfly Effect is actionable, credible, and absolutely necessary for anyone looking to use social media and Facebook to drive social good." -- Sheryl Sandberg , COO, Facebook " The Dragonfly Effect shows anyone how to get involved and take action on issues that matter to them. Its principles lay the foundation for any organization looking to harness the power of social media to champion a cause and create positive change in the world." -- Pierre Omidyar , founder and chairman, eBay, and founding partner, Omidyar Network "So much of the recent focus on social technology has emphasized its power to distract. It is hugely gratifying to see a book that focuses on its power to attract, to powerfully bring together caring people around critical social problems to address them on a global scale. The same principles that make a YouTube video go viral can help bring disaster relief to Haiti. It is all just a matter of making it happen.Thanks to The Dragonfly Effect , you can now learn how." -- Geoffrey Moore , co-founder and managing director, TCG Advisors, and author of Crossing the Chasm and Dealing with Darwin "This book makes envisioning, formulating, and executing a social media strategyan intuitive and--dare I say--fun process! The Dragonfly Effect shows how anyindividual or organization can turn their passion for reaching out to the world intoa concrete set of actions." -- Jessica Jackley , founder, Kiva and Profounder " The Dragonfly Effect shows how social technology, openness, and empathy cancome together to change the world. Read this book to discover dynamic waysto harness this potential for good." -- Charlene Li , author of Groundswell and Open Leadership , and founder, Altimeter Group

" The Dragonfly Effect is the single best road map to social media I have ever seen. With ideas rooted in research and examples rooted in life, it offers both big strategies and small tips that you can use to invigorate your business, increase your happiness, and maybe even change the world. So do yourself a favor: take two hours and read this remarkable book." Daniel H. Pink , author of A Whole New Mind and Drive " The Dragonfly Effect is actionable, credible, and absolutely necessary for anyone looking to use social media and Facebook to drive social good." Sheryl Sandberg , COO, Facebook " The Dragonfly Effect shows anyone how to get involved and take action on issues that matter to them. Its principles lay the foundation for any organization looking to harness the power of social media to champion a cause and create positive change in the world." Pierre Omidyar , founder and chairman, eBay, and founding partner, Omidyar Network "So much of the recent focus on social technology has emphasized its power to distract. It is hugely gratifying to see a book that focuses on its power to attract, to powerfully bring together caring people around critical social problems to address them on a global scale. The same principles that make a YouTube video go viral can help bring disaster relief to Haiti. It is all just a matter of making it happen.Thanks to The Dragonfly Effect , you can now learn how." Geoffrey Moore , co-founder and managing director, TCG Advisors, and author of Crossing the Chasm and Dealing with Darwin "This book makes envisioning, formulating, and executing a social media strategyan intuitive and dare I say fun process! The Dragonfly Effect shows how anyindividual or organization can turn their passion for reaching out to the world intoa concrete set of actions." Jessica Jackley , founder, Kiva and Profounder " The Dragonfly Effect shows how social technology, openness, and empathy cancome together to change the world. Read this book to discover dynamic waysto harness this potential for good." Charlene Li , author of Groundswell and Open Leadership , and founder, Altimeter Group

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