Social media can take many different forms, such as net forums, weblogs, podcasts, wikis, graphics and video. Technologies include things like email, blogs, vlogs, picture-sharing, wall-postings, 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), Flickr (photo sharing), Twitter (social networking and microblogging), Second Life (virtual reality), YouTube (social networking and video sharing) and other microblogs including Jaiku and Pownce.

What is Social Media Marketing?

Social Media Marketing is where you employ social media networking and user-created content applications to promote a product, service or content. Social Media Marketing usually involves creating and participating in a "conversation" with the target clientele, as an alternative to brazenly advertising to them.

Social Media Marketing also can include making and promoting viral content material that is meant to be shared by users. Lots of promoters are uncomfortable with the minimal control over social media but when used properly, social networks can be really effective channels for building product evangelism, reputation management or company branding.

Why is Social Media growing exceptionally popular?

To my mind it's simply for the reason that it mirrors our true nature. We are gregarious by nature and for once we are able to utilise technology conveniently to reach out and attach in new and enjoyable ways. It's still very new too, you will find new frontiers popping up on a regular basis and it is much like the early Net "gold rush" period during the 90s

Is every Social Media site for every business owner?

They might not believe so, but it is. You practice it naturally every single day, Social Media on the net is just the same thing applied technologically.

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

Nice question. Not all Social Media online websites are equal. I always advise people to apply "classical marketing" and don't let the 'flashing lights' trick you. Visit the site, notice the conversation. "Lurk" for a short time. Ask a question, find out what happens. Every single environment comes with 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 typical example of this in action is an online site that deals with "gamers" - you clearly know that if you're selling insurance you would have a tough time in that environment. Like I said, think like a classical marketer.

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