I love social media. I mean, I’m a blogger…hello! Social media is where my news, my inspirations and my tips and tricks for everyday life come from. I get most of my information from blog posts 0r from the occasional dip in the Twitter stream (more like VAST ocean, but you get the idea).

And then there’s Facebook. I totally get how to use Facebook.

Kind of.

Ok, not really.

Embarrassing to admit? Yup. But that’s the first step I need to take to start to master this beast of a tool that can help make or break you as a business and that can keep you connected with your friends in a really manageable way…if you know what you are doing.

I was asked to review two popular guides to understanding Facebook and to give my overall thoughts about which one I like best. I have read through The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Facebook and Facebook for Dummies.

Um, wow. I really learned a lot about Facebook after getting through these two books. I’ve got plenty of stuff highlighted that I need to go back and re-read or just execute in my own personal and professional Facebook pages. I think both books can teach anyone a thing or forty about how to get more out of Facebook.

But what if you don’t really want to read 579 total pages about Facebook? Fair enough. I can tell you which book to get if you need to choose.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Facebook is the winner for me, for the following reasons:

1. It’s a bit shorter, with fewer pages and the book, itself, is smaller, so that means even less text. Yes, in this case I do believe less is more. This is a guide for people who want to important info, and then want to move on. Facebook for Dummies sometimes wanders down a rabbit hole and you are left wondering why you need so much background.

2. While both books offer step-by-step instructions, I noticed that The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Facebook offered more of those guides. This is exactly what the reader needs. Tell me exactly how to do it instead of going on and on about why I should do it!

You aren’t going to make a huge mistake if you pick up Facebook for Dummies, but I think you’ll master Facebook faster and with fewer moments where you actually feel like an idiot if you go with The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Facebook.

And now for the great news: I have a coupon for 50% off any regular price purchase from www.idiotsguides.com to celebrate my verdict! Use code CIGBlog11 to get that hefty discount on the Facebook guide or any other title that strikes your fancy! Woo hoo!

Disclosure: I received complimentary copies for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.