by Shari Kingston Adams
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Like any emerging idea, the definition of social media is still a little blurry around the edges. Social media may be something that is difficult to define, but you'll know it when you see it. Social media is an umbrella term that includes interactive broadcasts such as blogs and podcasts, videos, forums, as well as social networking web sites. These web sites often allow visitors to become users or members, create profiles, and upload and share content through the web site. There are hundreds--if not thousands--of social media web sites out there, but here are a few of the more popular ones: Facebook: One of the fastest growing social media sites
of all time. Now with over 500 million users worldwide and a movie made about it. It started as a
site just for college students to communicate with one another but now it's open to
everyone. Users interact with friends, groups, play games, spread the word about certain subjects/businesses and reconnect with old friends. LinkedIn: This is a business networking site. It allows you to create a profile and connect with professional colleagues, give and get recommendations and find people outside your immediate network for new opportunities. It's the Facebook for the business world. Twitter: This is called a micro-blogging site. Users can post comments, updates and content in 140 characters or less. These are called "tweets". Businesses, brands, celebrities, gurus and many others use this to make real time comments on what they are thinking, promoting or doing. Wordpress & Blogger: These are two of the many free blogging sites. A blog is simply a journal of someone's thoughts, opinions and even some facts on a particular subject or on random subjects. Some of these have advertising or are free of ads.
Youtube: One of the fastest growing video sharing sites. Current reports say 1.2 billion videos are viewed a day on Youtube (2011). This means, almost everyone on the internet watches a video from Youtube everyday. WOW! MySpace: Originally a place for bands to promote themselves,
it was one of the most popular sites on the Web in 2006, but in 2008 was beat by Facebook. Anyone can create
a profile and there are no identity checks. These are just some of the social media sites, there are thousands more dedicated to certain subjects and audiences. Social media rapidly changes and the next big thing maybe just around the corner. As you travel outside the U.S., there are plenty of other social networking sites that are more popular in other parts of the world. Why Should You Care About Social Networking Sites?Location, location, location. If you had a retail outlet you wouldn't set up shop where there's no foot traffic, would you? Well, your customers and clients are already at social media web sites. They're on Facebook, tweet and have a LinkedIn account. They share photos at Flickr and upload family movies to YouTube. You need to go where your customers and potential customers are. How Do You Get Started with Social Media?Don't worry: every person and every business had to make a first, tentative step into the social media landscape. This won't be any more painful than a freshmen mixer or a Business After Hours event in a strange town. (Yikes!) Look: With so many social media sites out there, you may want to do some investigative work to find out where your best customers are. Since these sites offer free memberships. Listen: Once you've joined, listen to the conversations around you. Each site may have its own rules, but generally people don't want you storming into a conversation to tell them how great your products or services are. Join In: Once you feel comfortable with your surroundings, feel free to join in. Just don't make it a sales pitch. Find a group that you can participate in. If you sell dog products, find and join dog lovers' groups. Start: If you're feeling really daring, start your own group, and invite current clients and colleagues to join in. A real estate agent might start a group focused on the local area (restaurants, schools, taxes, etc.), getting local business owners and residents to join together. How Do You Succeed with Social Media?Most people use social media to share random information about themselves, their interests or their company. In order to succeed with Social Media you have to determine what you want to accomplish with social media. To communicate with your current customers, to get your customers to do something or attract new customers?Once you determine what you want to accomplish, focus all your efforts on supporting what you want to accomplish. Companies spends hours and even thousands of dollars on social media but have little return on investment. Why? Everything they post isn't inspiring their audience to DO anything. This is vital in your success. Social media will continue to evolve and change so don't wait until you research it and know everything before you jump in. The only thing that seems certain is that people are congregating at these social networking sites at an astounding rate. The landscape is changing, and these sites have become the backyard fences, the coffee shops, and the street corners of the 21st century. Hate or love social media? Ignore Social Media at your own risk-it's not going away. |