The 10 Principles of Effective Social Media Marketing - by Jon-Stephen Stansel

About the Book

Understand the fundamental principles of effective social media marketing.

Book Synopsis

Social media marketers are battling a constant state of flux, navigating new platforms and trends constantly. However, the truth is that underlying all this change is a fundamental set of principles of what makes effective social media marketing.

This book provides a universal set of guidelines for social media marketers that will serve them regardless of what brand or organization they work for, or what changes occur in terms of platforms or trends. Designed for social media marketers at any stage of their career journey this book is most helpful for those in their early to mid-careers, starting out leading social media content development and their own teams, but it provides useful insights for anyone working in the sector on how they can create social posts that have the most impact.

Written by leading social media expert, Jon-Stephen Stansel, each chapter discusses a different principle of great social media marketing, with examples from brands such as HBO, Xbox and Beyond Meat, and providing recommendations for how social media managers can apply each principle to their own social channels. By remaining platform agnostic, it delivers a timeless approach that can be utilized by any team using any software, and will be able to provide guidance regardless of what changes happen in the fast-moving social media landscape. Covering topics such as tone of voice, creating accessible content, building the right team and how to manage in a crisis, this book equips social teams with everything they need to create compelling and impactful posts across any platform at any time.

Review Quotes

"

Think The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene but for social media.
10 Principles of Effective Social Media Management isn't just any old guide, it's the blueprint everyone needs. Direct and honest with no-fluff, this book cuts through the noise to deliver exactly what social media managers and agencies really need to hear.
It's packed with insights that feel like they've come from real, in-the-trenches experience and not some distant, theoretical playbook. Better yet, every chapter offers actionable takeaways you can implement straight away, whether you're building a strategy, juggling client expectations, or simply trying to stay sane online.
A must-read for anyone who wants to understand what it actually takes to do social media, and to do it well.

"-- "Annie-Mai Hodge, Founder of Girl Power Marketing ?"

"Every social media professional has heard some version of, "My niece is 16 and she says we should be posting more 'dank bangers' on SnapTok." In a world where there's no shortage of self-proclaimed experts, folks like Jon-Stephen are a rare encounter. He's proven mastery across platforms and industries and his commitment to educating and uplifting the industry is unmatched."-- "Jacob Shipley, Head of Social Media at Benzinga and Founder of the Social Studies"

"Forget the buzzwords and frameworks. This is the kind of book you get when someone's lived the job, not just built a brand around pretending they have."-- "Christina Le, Head of Marketing at Plot"

"I love Jon-Stephen's 10 principles, they are absolutely foundational to any social media strategy in any industry. A fantastic read that offers practical insights, inspiration, and real-world examples to elevate any social media practice for novice and seasoned professionals alike."-- "Jenny Li Fowler, Director of Social Media Strategy, MIT"

"In a world of self-proclaimed social media gurus who oversimplify and overpromise, Jon-Stephen Stansel is an industry vet who gets it. In 10 Principles of Effective Social Media Management, he shows just how vast and crushingly complex the modern field is, proving that great social is worth the investment in budget, time, and talent. As always, Jon-Stephen says it louder for the people in the back-without ever raising his voice."-- "Samantha Yehle, Director of Social Media at Frida"

"Jon-Stephen Stansel is a guiding light in a field where social media professionals are often left to figure things out on their own, juggling leadership expectations, audience demands, and burnout. This is his most comprehensive guide yet, with something for everyone, from junior team members to senior leads, and even execs trying to better support their social teams. No topic is too small; Jon-Stephen covers it all. This book should be required reading for anyone serious about a long-term career in social."-- "Christopher Cox, Co-Founder and CEO of Nebula Social and Content Creator"

"This is required reading for every social media manager (yes, even if you've been in the game for 15 years like me). Jon-Stephen's no-nonsense roadmap is bursting with "omg, yes" and "stealing that ASAP" moments. But what hooked me is that he gets the weird, wonderful, and challenging world of social; blending empathy, wit, and real examples into his practical advice. It's a human-centered guide that works no matter your brand, budget, team size, or whatever wild algorithm change comes next."-- "Kate Meyers Emery, Senior digital communications manager at Candid"

"This is the anti-BS bible for social media managers. Zero jargon. Zero ego. Just 10 rock-solid principles every social team should live by. It's part strategy playbook, part survival guide. Stansel nails what so many books miss: the human reality behind the posts. Every social pro should read this. Twice."-- "Matt Navarra, Social Media Consultant and Founder of Geekout"

"This is the book I wish I had when I first stepped into corporate America. Jon-Stephen breaks down the vital role social media pros play, and he offers a clear roadmap for them, plus a solid guide for brands and teams to support them better. Social media could evolve 50 times over, and this book would still be just as relevant. These roles are often thankless and misunderstood, and Jon-Stephen brings clarity, empathy, and the wisdom this work deserves."-- "Brianna Doe, Founder & CEO, Verbatim"

About the Author

Jon-Stephen Stansel is Founder of Saturn 9 Media, a Social Media Management and Strategy Consultancy. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, he has over 10 years' experience running social accounts for Texas State University, the Texas Department of Transportation as well as Amazon Prime animated series such as The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power and Avatar: The Way of Water. He has presented at conferences such as HighEdWeb, CASE and CUPRAP. He has delivered webinars for Hootsuite, Semrush and Slate Teams and has appeared on podcasts such as Agents of Change, Talking Tactics and PR360.