Social media can take many different forms, such as internet forums, podcasts, weblogs, wikis, pictures and video. Technologies include: blogs, picture-sharing, vlogs, wall-postings, email, instant messaging, music-sharing, crowdsourcing (crowd outsourcing), and voice over IP, to name a few.

Examples of social media applications are Wikipedia (reference), Facebook (social networking), Google Groups (reference, social networking), MySpace (social networking), Youmeo (social network aggregation), Lastfm (personal music), YouTube (social networking and video sharing), Second Life (virtual reality), Flickr (photo sharing), Twitter (social networking and microblogging) and other microblogs like Jaiku and Pownce.

What is Social Media Marketing?

Social Media Marketing is where you use social media networking and user-generated content platforms to promote a product, service or content. Social Media Marketing usually involves creating and participating in a "conversation" with the target market, rather than deliberately advertising to them.

Social Media Marketing can also include creating and promoting viral content material that is meant to be shared by users. A lot of marketers are not comfortable with the lack of control over social media but when approached properly, social networks can be really effective channels for building product evangelism, reputation management or corporate branding.

Why is it getting very popular?

I believe it's simply for the reason that it mirrors our true nature. We are gregarious by nature and for once we are able to use technology very easily to reach out and connect in new and exciting ways. It's still very new too, you will find new frontiers popping up on a regular basis and it's just like the early Internet "gold rush" days during the 90s

Is every Social Media site for every business owner?

They might not believe so, but it is. You do it naturally each day, Social Media online is simply the same thing applied technologically.

How does a business entrepreneur decide which site is the best match for them?

Excellent question. Not all SM web sites are equal. I typically advise people to think "classical marketing" and don't let the 'flashing lights' trick you. Visit the site, take note of the conversation. "Lurk" for a while. Ask a question, observe what happens. Each environment has its own rules. Blunder in and start shouting and you'll get flamed. Respect the environment's 'sub culture' and you'll do fine. A clear example of this in action is a site that caters to "gamers" - you instinctively know that if you're selling insurance you would have a tough time in that environment. Like I said, think like a classical marketer.


The Internet brought about a sea change in the science and practice of mass communication and hence the process of marketing itself.


In lay person's terms, Social Media is all about socializing; it comes down to discovering other ways to get in touch with other people for the objective of sharing details and in the past decade, or so, social internet marketing is continuing to grow significantly.


There is no denying that most of us now have an online profile and keep in touch with the majority of our acquaintances online. The internet has found itself a new use!


Have you heard all the buzz about Social Media Marketing, but aren't really sure how it can be a part of your marketing plan or how to even get started? Here is how you can implement social media marketing quickly and easily.


If you are not using Social Media you should know that it is growing and growing quickly. Did you know that women between 20 to 30 years of age check their Facebook daily?


I enthusiastically promote seniors on computers as a means of maintaining a healthy life for my peers, especially in memory improvement. On Facebook you will find many groups about everything you can imagine. You will find alumni groups for your school, people from your home town, or your family!


I would like to share with my fellow network marketers an explanation of exactly what are Twitter Hashtags and how to effectively use them to generate leads to your business and more Twitter followers quickly and easily.