Book excerpt: Fusing the academic with the applied, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to social media for future communications professionals. While most social media texts approach the subject through either a theoretical, scholarly lens or a professional, practical lens, this text offers a much-needed linkage of theory to the practical tactics employed by social media communicators. Concise and conversational chapters break down the basics of both social media theory and practice and are complemented by sidebars written by scholars and industry professionals, chapter summaries and end-of-chapter exercises. This book is ideal for introductory social media courses in communication, public relations and mass communication departments, as well as courses in digital media and public relations. Online resources include social media writing templates, sample posts and content calendar templates. Please visit www.routledge.com/9781032185873.