The word Social Media gets thrown around just about as much as the term ‘Guru’ that so many people feel describes their level of expertise in Social Media. The term Social Media is starting to get a little old, but overall is still the strongest phrase out there that describes what is taking the business world by the neck.
Since most of my clients and colleagues are outside the online social networking arenas…yes there are still a LARGE number of people who do not trust the internet as anything other than a Scam-fest…they see the online world as being very confusing. As I step outside and look at Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn from their point of view I can agree..things out here in La-La-Land do look a little crazy. Since most know I train on effective uses of social media I am asked frequently …”But, What does Social Media Do?”
Social Media is…
The best way to sort out this craziness called Social Media is to break it down. The term, Media, historically reflects upon a form of communication, like a newspaper or a TV. Social media would be a social form of communication.
Social Media, in its purest form, can be a website that doesn’t just give you information, but interacts with you while giving information. This interaction can be as simple as asking for your comments or to state your opinion on an issue, or it can be as complex as recommending something to other people with similar interests.
In the offline world media is a one-way street like a newspaper or a report on television. You have very limited ability to react to what you see or hear to give your thoughts on the matter.
Social media, on the other hand, is a two-way street giving you the ability to communicate primarily online. Thus, is the strength of Social Media.
Social Media is NOT..
What many non-internet savvy people are seeing a lot of on the internet..and hitting me up-side-the head with every single time they enter La-La-Land to test the waters of social networking online…is not Social Media. Blatant Posts on Twitter of ..Get 20% off your (whatever) if you post this link…is not social media. People, Places and Things (PP&T) out to Follow as many people on Twitter as they can..is not social media. Coming up with the most bazaar name for a Facebook Page….is not social media.
So the PP&T who are posting these things are not using Social Media..at this point, it is not clear what they are doing outside of running millions of people off the internet who are out to use Social Media for what it is meant to do.
Social News ≠ Social Media
It is easy to confuse social media with social news… because we often refer to members of the news as "the media." Adding to the confusion is the fact that a social news site is also a social media site because it falls into that broader category.
But Social News is not the same thing as Social Media anymore than a apple is the same thing as fruit. A apple is a type of fruit, but fruit can also be grapes, strawberries, or lemons. And while Social News is social media, Social Networking and is also Social Media. So, telling everyone on Facebook and Twitter you just burn the chicken you were frying is really not Social Media as much as it is Social News.
Social Media reflects upon something of specific interest to the targeted community, which is why broadcasting about a specific interest on the Twitter Timeline is like advertising on a Billboard..hoping someone drives by that is interested. Social News does provide info on the person communicating and the conversation that ensues reflects on the popularity of the Social News. This conversation is the crust of what Social Media produces which leads to building a lasting relationship with others..who, for business efforts, you hope to rely on maybe doing business with or referring you to their contacts who may also be a business connection.
The power of Social News is strong, but really is not Social Media…yaw, very confusing, but is part of what Social Media is and is not.
So, What Does Social Media Do?
What Social Media can do is provide more visibility to WHO the person is that is socializing online. This is a very powerful tool in business as well socially. Knowing more about a person..what they like..what their point of view on an issue is…what they do for a living…is indisputably the most valuable aspect of Social Media many people online do not understand.
Social Media is being social and to many…way too many…being social is not something they KNOW how to be or Want To do. Getting to know the person first before bringing them into their circle of friends or business associates, is what formed what is called Social Media. This is how things have changed since October 2008. Thus, people who can change to become more truly social..who can open up to listen more than talk…will be the people who succeed professionally as well as socially. This IS WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA DOES!
The bottomline: Social Media means…getting social through communicating with others online. And…it Really Works.
Let me know how I can help.
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