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Setty shares personal Twitter philosophies in this short book that is perfect for discussion groups on social media. It’s interesting, but not worth $20.

Everyone these days has something to say about Twitter. A few are lucky enough to get a book deal out of it.

Rajesh Setty is the latest to fall prey to the Twitter publishing craze. His offering, #Th!inkTweet Book 1, is less than 100 pages of Twitter chatter designed to make you think, instead of telling you what he had for breakfast. Setty’s life lessons of social media are told in 140 characters or less and, of course, there are 140 of them.

I was a little surprised at Setty’s tome. After reading David Pogue’s Twitter take in The World According to Twitter, this one seemed a little bit dull to me. It is one person putting their own philosophical musings into a book. Big deal.

However, as I sat down to write the review, I realized that Setty’s book could be used to start discussion about social media, the dos and don’ts, the nightmares and victories. Think about those dull meetings you have at work, when people are supposed to talk about ideas, creativity, but most feel stifled by (idiot) bosses more concerned with stepping on your face while they climb the corporate ladder.

Use one of Setty’s inspirational quotes and questions, like No. 33

What is the ONE habit that can totally change who you are for the better?

or No. 58

You might forget about something unpleasant you said. However, the listener might NEVER forget what was said.

to get the discussion rolling. This will only work in an open corporate environment where the Big Shots are truly interested in pursing a significant online presence. It will not work with company’s that give social media lip service.

I have to comment on some of the gushing praise for #Th!nkTweet by social media experts. This one from Guy Kawasaki was filled with WAY too much cutesy Tweetie talk:

#Th!nkTweet is a cool little book filled with twinsights, twumor, and twinfluence of Twitter.

I’ve seen this type of chatter so much it has become cliche.

#Th!nkTweet is an interesting compilation of musings, but will only be useful to a select few - most especially discussion groups on social media. You can get some good examples via the Look Inside feature on Amazon - almost enough that you don’t need the book.

At $20 a pop, I’d get it if you can be reimbursed by your company; otherwise put that cash toward The Social Media Bible or other tomes that offer more detailed information on the hows and whys of social media, rather than philosophical discussion pieces.

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