Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook receives mixed reviews, with many praising its practical advice on social media marketing. Readers appreciate the real-world examples and Vaynerchuk's straightforward approach. The book emphasizes tailoring content to each platform and building relationships before selling. Critics note the content is somewhat outdated and may be elementary for experienced marketers. Some find the writing style engaging, while others consider it repetitive. Overall, it's viewed as a valuable resource for those new to social media marketing.
Social media marketing requires native content and context
Jab, jab, jab, right hook: Give value before asking for sales
Facebook: Create engaging, visual content for mobile
Twitter: Listen, engage, and ride cultural trends
Pinterest: Feed aspirations and enable discovery
Instagram: Post artistic, branded visuals with hashtags
Tumblr: Showcase your brand through customized themes and GIFs
Emerging platforms: Adapt quickly to new social networks
Consistent effort is crucial for social media success
Content is king, context is God, and then there's effort.
Native content is key. To succeed on social media, brands must create content that fits naturally on each platform, respecting its unique language, culture, and user expectations. This means understanding the nuances of each network and adapting your storytelling approach accordingly.
Context matters tremendously. Beyond just creating platform-appropriate content, marketers must consider the broader context of when and how users engage with social media. This includes factors like:
Time of day
Current events and trending topics
Cultural moments and zeitgeist
User mindset and intent on different platforms
By aligning content with context, brands can create more relevant, timely, and impactful social media experiences that resonate with their audience.
Jab, jab, jab, right hook!
Build relationships first. The "jab, jab, jab, right hook" strategy emphasizes providing value to your audience consistently before making any sales pitches. Jabs are pieces of content that entertain, inform, or emotionally connect with users. Right hooks are calls-to-action that drive sales or conversions.
Balance is crucial. The ideal ratio is roughly:
75-80% jabs: Valuable, non-promotional content
20-25% right hooks: Sales-oriented messages
By following this approach, brands can:
Build trust and goodwill with their audience
Increase engagement and reach
Improve receptiveness to promotional content
Create a more sustainable, long-term social media presence
Remember that even your right hooks should provide value and fit naturally within the platform's context.
From now on, every platform should be treated as a social networking platform.
Mobile-first mindset. With the majority of Facebook users accessing the platform via mobile devices, all content must be optimized for small screens. This means:
Eye-catching visuals that work well on mobile
Short, punchy copy that's easy to read on the go
Clear calls-to-action optimized for touch interfaces
Leverage Facebook's features. To maximize engagement and reach, utilize Facebook-specific tools:
Native video uploads
Facebook Live streaming
Carousel ads for multiple images/products
Custom audiences for targeted advertising
Quality over quantity. Facebook's algorithm prioritizes content that generates meaningful interactions. Focus on creating fewer, higher-quality posts that encourage comments, shares, and genuine engagement rather than a high volume of low-impact updates.
Twitter primarily rewards people who listen and give, not those who ask and take.
Real-time engagement. Twitter's fast-paced nature requires brands to be active listeners and swift responders. Engage authentically with users by:
Replying to mentions and relevant conversations
Retweeting and commenting on user-generated content
Addressing customer service issues promptly
Leverage trending topics. Stay relevant by connecting your brand to current events and popular hashtags:
Use Twitter's trending topics to identify opportunities
Create timely content that ties into broader conversations
Participate in Twitter chats and live events
Concise storytelling. With limited characters, focus on:
Punchy, attention-grabbing headlines
Compelling visuals (images, GIFs, short videos)
Clear calls-to-action with shortened links
Remember to maintain your brand voice while adapting to Twitter's more casual, conversational tone.
Pinterest produces four times the revenue-per-click of Twitter.
Visual inspiration. Pinterest is a platform for aspirational content. Create and curate visually appealing images that showcase your products or services in idealized settings. Focus on:
High-quality, professional photography
Infographics and how-to guides
Mood boards and style collections
Optimize for search and discovery. Pinterest functions as a visual search engine. Improve your content's visibility by:
Using relevant, specific keywords in pin descriptions
Creating boards with clear, searchable titles
Utilizing Rich Pins to include extra information (e.g., product details, recipes)
Enable easy purchasing. Make it simple for users to move from inspiration to action:
Include prices on product pins
Use "Buy It" buttons for direct purchases
Create boards that showcase full product collections or rooms
By tapping into users' aspirations and making discovery seamless, brands can effectively drive traffic and sales through Pinterest.
Instagram is eye candy, so every pin must be visually compelling.
Elevate your brand aesthetics. Instagram users expect high-quality, visually striking content. Focus on:
Professional-quality photography or graphic design
Consistent visual style that reflects your brand identity
Creative use of Instagram's built-in filters and editing tools
Leverage hashtags strategically. Hashtags are crucial for discovery on Instagram. Use them to:
Increase visibility in relevant searches
Participate in trending conversations
Create branded hashtags for campaigns or user-generated content
Engage through Stories and Reels. Utilize Instagram's video features to:
Share behind-the-scenes content
Showcase products in action
Run time-limited promotions or contests
Remember to maintain a balance between polished, curated content and more authentic, real-time posts to keep your audience engaged.
Tumblr gives you complete artistic control.
Customize your presence. Tumblr offers unparalleled flexibility in design. Use this to:
Create a unique, branded look for your Tumblr page
Showcase your products or services in creative ways
Experiment with different content formats (text, images, GIFs, videos)
Embrace GIF culture. Animated GIFs are a Tumblr staple. Leverage them to:
Tell short, looping stories about your brand
Showcase product features or use cases
Create shareable, emotion-driven content
Tap into niche communities. Tumblr hosts many passionate, niche fandoms. Engage with these communities by:
Creating content that speaks to specific interests
Reblogging and interacting with user-generated content
Participating in Tumblr-specific memes and trends
By embracing Tumblr's unique culture and customization options, brands can create a distinctive presence that resonates with the platform's creative, often younger user base.
Whatever isn't a social experience now soon will be.
Stay ahead of the curve. New social platforms emerge regularly. To capitalize on these opportunities:
Monitor tech news and trends for up-and-coming networks
Create accounts early to secure your brand name
Experiment with content on new platforms before competitors
Understand platform-specific features. Each new network offers unique capabilities:
Snapchat: Ephemeral content and augmented reality filters
TikTok: Short-form video and viral challenges
Clubhouse: Audio-based discussions and networking
Adapt your strategy. Be prepared to:
Modify your content for new formats (e.g., vertical video, voice-only)
Engage with users in platform-specific ways
Allocate resources to test and learn on emerging networks
By being an early adopter and quickly adapting to new platforms, brands can establish a strong presence and gain a competitive advantage.
No matter what Facebook does, ultimately, it's the content that matters.
Commitment is key. Social media success requires ongoing effort:
Post consistently across all platforms
Engage with your audience daily
Monitor trends and adjust your strategy accordingly
Quality and quantity. Balance the need for regular content with maintaining high standards:
Create a content calendar to plan ahead
Repurpose content across platforms, adapting for each network
Invest in tools and resources to streamline your workflow
Measure and iterate. Continuously improve your social media performance:
Track key metrics for each platform (engagement, reach, conversions)
A/B test different content types and posting times
Analyze competitor strategies for insights
Remember that social media is a long-term investment. Consistent effort over time builds brand awareness, customer loyalty, and ultimately drives business results.