Do You Do Social Media?

Whether you call it social media, Web 2.0 or social networking, its 2009, so if you aren't putting your toe into the world of social media, you'd better get started and soon. Let's start with some basics like a definition.

Just what is "Social Media"? If we tap the world's largest encyclopedia, Wikipedia, for a definition of social media, this is what we get:

"Social media are primarily Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings. The term most often refers to activities that integrate technology, telecommunications and social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio. This interaction, and the manner in which information is presented, depends on the varied perspectives and "building" of shared meaning among communities, as people share their stories and experiences."

Huh? ... "depends on the varied perspectives and "building" of shared meaning among communities". Okay, enough of the consultant-speak-garblely-gook. Let's try again.

Social media are online communications in which individuals move seamlessly between reading and creating content (content could be words, images or video). They use social software that enables anyone without knowledge of coding, to post, comment on, share or mash up* content and to form communities around shared interests.

*Tomorrow I'll cover what a mashup is.

More definitions:

Robert Scoble: What is Social Media?

Bryan Eisenberg: Understanding and Aligning the Value of Social Media.

Brian Solis: What's Wrong with Social Media.