What on earth is Social Media?

What do you think of when you hear…Social Media?

Many years ago people were more connected to one another.  Before the age of computers, telephones, and instant messaging we connected more in the markets, streets, and trading centers.  As time passed and technology improved, the human connection faded.

Social Media is quite simply a conversation…supported by online tools.  Tools such as; You Tube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Wikipedia, WordPress, LinkedIn, flickr, digg and much more.  The importat thing in Social media is the real people that use it and their social interactions.

It’s all about the Cs:

• Creative
• Competition
• Creation
• Community
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Connected
• Creative Class
• Convergence

Most business have not figured out how this valuable tool can serve them.  Here are some great books to get you thinking on how to leverage this opportunity:

Tribal Knowledge The Cluetrain Maifesto:The end of Business as Usual Leapfrogging the Competition

People are not just demographics anymore.  To connect to them you need to understand that relationships are more powerful than marketing. Everyone has their own circle of trust.  People whose opinions they listen to and respect – marketing can’t break this bond.  People don’t want to see slick company images; they want to see what companies really are so they can relate to them.

Check back often as we will be doing a series of articles on how to use social media to your advantage.

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Tagged as: Internet Marketing, Social Marketing, Social Media