Sorting Out Social Media
There’s been quite the buzz about Social Media over the last few years. Everywhere you look these days, from TV ads, to billboards, to printed newspaper ads, you will see “Follow Us on Twitter” or “Like Us on Facebook”. Many different types of Social Media sites have been created, each with a different purpose in mind. Although setting up accounts on these sites is free, in order to get the best possible results from them, you need to spend time and effort working with them in order to make them work for you. How do you decide which ones to invest your time and energy in? Here’s a description of some of the most common types of Social Media sites and what they are primarily used for to help you get it all sorted out.
What is a Social Media site?
Social media sites are places on the internet where users create the content that changes continuously, as opposed to industrial media, which is static. Examples of Social Media include Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, while industrial media includes things like television, magazines and newspapers, books, and internet websites that have fixed content that does not change.
Social media sites were originally created for the use of individual users who wished to share information quickly and easily. As people discovered new ways to use social media, different types of sites were developed that allow users to both contribute to and search for information in different ways. Businesses have discovered that social media is a great way to interact with their customers one-on-one, providing them with immediate feedback on their products, services, and ideas.
Social Networking Sites
By far the most widely used social media sites are Social Networking sites. These include sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. One of the greatest advantages of social networking sites is that they provide a platform that can be used by anyone to create and establish their own personal brand. This is a process that takes time. It can not be accomplished overnight. However, once accomplished, one becomes a recognized expert in his/her field and has a much improved chance of success at any online endeavor.
Social Bookmarking Sites
We have all, at one time or another, found a website that was particularly useful and bookmarked it in our web browsers. Social bookmarking works in a similar fashion, but instead of saving the link to the site in a web browser, it is saved on the web. This makes it possible to share the link with family and friends who might also benefit from the information provided on the site.
Most social bookmarking sites are designed for sharing links and all sorts of topics, allowing users to browse all categories to find topics of interest.
Social News Sites
Social News sites are a specialized form of Social Bookmarking Sites. Most of the bookmarks that are saved to these sites are focused on news-related topics like sports, politics, technology. Users then are allowed to vote on stories they like the best. Stories are then ranked according to the votes, providing a way to rate the value of information provided by a website. Examples of social news sites include Digg and Reddit. These sites are rapidly becoming more popular for researching current news than the search engines. This is due to the fact that the content is rated by the users of the site instead of by a search engine algorithm. They have evolved into a form of social search engine, providing more specific and current content than organic search engines.
Professional Networking Sites
These sites have a specific focus for people that want to network in a certain niche. By far the most popular of these is LinkedIn, which is business-oriented. It allows business professionals to network, providing opportunities for joint ventures, information sharing, and referral business.
Other New Sites
As interaction on the Internet continues to grow – more and more social media sites are being developed to meet the needs of expanding interest. As an example, my fellow TSA Mastery colleague Karin Boode, couldn’t find a social bookmarking site to meet her needs, so she created her own, based on her idea of what an ideal social bookmarking site would be. Take a look:
Do-Follow Social Bookmarking Site
For more information on “Do-Follow” check out my previous post How to Implement Do-Follow on Your Blog – Get Your Links Noticed.
Feel free to leave any questions, ideas, and feedback below. I love to hear what you have to say. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your Twitter and Facebook friends by clicking on the share buttons, or if you have other bookmark accounts, please click on the any of the sharing icons below and share! I deeply appreciate it!! Thanks so much for your time and attention!
To Your Success!
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Cool, i was always confused by the terms. Thx for great article. Sometimes I know how to use the tools but just don’t know what type of tools they are LOL.
Thanks, Vivian – there are more and more types of sites being developed every day – it’s exciting to see what people come up with.
Hi Lori ~ Fantastic post that (I think!) really shared a lot of importing, and easy to understand, explanation about what is social media, how and why to use it. The differences you shared of social media vs. industrial media (which I tend to call traditional…lol!) was quite helpful in better understanding the impact that social media can have as opposed to what we’ve always be accustomed to in the past. Appreciate you having shared!
Christine
Christine Casey recently posted… How to Find Motivation When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything…
Thanks so much for your comments, Christine. New Social Media outlets are being invented every day – learning about all the new ways to share is so exciting! Can hardly wait to see what people will come up with next
Lori
Lori, If I was grading the articles that I read this week, it would get an A+ Outstanding article on different types of Social Media. You truly outdid yourself this week. Great Job and by the way I love the new look. Your site is very pretty and well put together. “Lori Make it a Great Week”
Ross Joyner recently posted… Tips from a Search Engine Professíonal
Thanks so much for your kind comments, Ross – it means a great deal to me. I am loving Social Media and really enjoying educating in this area. I WILL make it a great week – Thanks Ross! Lori
Social Media is the rage of today. It allows one the full opportunity to connect in the way they choose whether it be socializing with friends/family or building a business. You have given a rundown of several types of different Social Networking sites. We can take our pick depending on our niche. What fun!
Happy Networking!
Your friend,
Lynn
Lynn Jones recently posted… Network Marketing Secrets – How To Get Your Prospects Leaning Forward Ready to Buy!
Thanks Lynn – it just keeps getting better – I am excited to see the different types of social media sites that are coming out every day! Lori
Thank you Lori for yet another quality post full of information. Now I am aware of Karin Boode’s bookmarking site and will take time to see if it meets the needs of National Seizure Disorders Foundation.
Reading your work always leaves me eager to read more. Keep up the quality my friend, you are doing great!
Peace-
Terrific Tonya Heathco
Terrific Tonya Heathco recently posted… Types of Seizures
Thanks for your kind comments, Tonya! Deeply appreciated
Lori
Lori, fantastic information on social media network. I found it very useful and clarified things, all together. How and when are all ways challenging.
I have a clear understanding of the difference in utilizing each platform presented. They all have their usage.
I would like to express the joy of being able to have read this posting. This is a detailed presentation breakdown, of which platform to use and for what purpose. This makes so much miss understood usage vanish. We now can follow correct steps in placing information, based on which location we arrive at. No more looking unprofessional, by placing a post about something that the members can not use or want.
Thank you for sharing this vital information that is easy to use. This will be a future reference location for me! Wonderfully done…
Lori, please keep us updated with new social media understandings, so we can be more productive. You have been a great mentor and coach for all.
William Earl Amis, Jr III recently posted… Understanding Your Business Choices
Thanks so much for your kind comments, William! The more we understand, the more we can use them in the best way possible! Lori
Hello Lori
After reading this post I feel that have better understanding of the purpose of the different media. You have made it easier to select the media that does the best for the message. Understanding the way and how the media is used allows one to be more effective. Thanks for this article which helps understand the media.
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City
Perry A Davis Jr recently posted… What is the real reason people quit network marketing
Hi Perry – glad I was able to help:) Thanks so much for your comments! Lori
Lori,
I love the quick to understand breakdown of all the social aspects of the web.
For a lot of people, this whole social media thing can be really confusing and for some “time consuming”. Even with social sites such as twitter, people are just confused to how and why they work.
But… once they grasp how to use them and what they can or will be used for, then it becomes a powerful weapon on free information and instant accessible knowledge.
Thanks for sharing this posting. I know for the older crowd of people who are frequently finding themselves online now-days, this posting will be of great use.
Thanks again and keep up the good work.
-Dereck
Hi Dereck! Thanks so much for your comments – I’m glad you stopped by! Social media can be a fantastic tool if you learn how to use it correctly! Lori
So many businesses are behind the 8 ball. I’m bookmarking this site and sending it to my offline business friends. They always look at me strangely when I ask them if they have a social media plan.
You really have captured the essence of Web 2.0
Debbie
Debbie Lattuga recently posted… Does Making Art Have Healing Power
Thanks, Debbie! I appreciate your comments and your sharing!! Lori
Hi Lori, great post , it is very important to understand about the varies sites etc. Thank you for making it so clear and I will be returning to your blog. All the best Rosemary
Rosemary recently posted… Calling Dropbox Fans who are IPad or iPhone Owners Check This Out
Thanks, Rosemary! I do what I can to keep people from looking like orangutans
Lori
Hello Lori, great point about Digg and Reddit becoming more popular for researching current news than the traditional search engines. It makes sense because as you say, these are sites where the content is rated and elevated or rejected by the users. Google knows this, and it’s known that social media activity does influence what comes up in many Google keyword searches. It’s a fascinating and ever-evolving science.
Eldon Beard recently posted… What Should a Good MLM Sponsor Do For You
Hi Eldon – thanks for you comments!
Hello Lori,
I so appreciate finding and reading this post. I am on a few of the social sites that you mention and i have to admit, I have not mastered any of them, if that is even possible.
I think we sometimes get caught up in th herd mentality, folowing what everybody else is doing, not taking the time to see if what we do will actually benefit us in our online business pursuits.
A couple of months back, someone in a forum I am in, mentioned a new social network site, without even thinking about it, I ran over and immedaitely signed up.
I soon was hit with numerous friend connections.
I accepted a few and after a while, what with every thing else I am trying to do, I left the site and have not been back.
I am now starting to re-evaluate just what I want to try and accomplish through my online social networking.
That may entail, participating in fewer sites, but having more time to concentrate on the ones I am in.
This online connecting can blow your mind, literally, if you are not careful.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers.
Willie Robertson recently posted… Welcome To The Wonderful World Of The Blogosphere
Great! I’ve been working on various social sites and after reading this article i was able to differentiate one from the other.
We’ll explained and I’m sure lots of people may want to know about this.
Thanks for sharing
People, corporations and businesses seem to be realising the power of social media. One of the reasons why social media is so powerful is the target audience. Majority of social networkers are young, which presents this wonderful demographic of present and future customers.
As you have rightly pointed, social marketing efforts will be of no use if, you are not prompt and proactive to an opportunity or even a grievance. And that timely and proactive action can do your reputation and the business a world of good. The writing is on the wall, get social media savvy or be left behind.
Thanks Lori,
Kevin Rudd