Importance of Social Media10 Oct
Social Media Marketing
Social media may be one of the most important factors in Search Engine Optimization, Brand Awareness, Search Marketing and content syndication. Millions of users spend hours online creating, browsing and interacting with social media sites like Facebook, StumbleUpon, Digg, Myspace, etc.
How is Social Media Defined?
Social media is not simply static content information. True social media takes traditional web browsing a step further and allows the user to interact with others and the technologies of social media. Such technologies may be video, audio, words, pictures or just text, but there is some level of interaction that makes it “social media.” Watching TV isn’t social media, watching and posting videos on YouTube is social media. Here is one definition of Social Media:
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.
Who uses Social Media?
It would appear that the majority of social media users are just individuals communicating with the world and friends through pictures, videos, personal profiles etc. This does appear to be true. But its obvious with Facebook hosting 80 Million users and MySpace somewhere near there (though its hard to find real numbers) theres a huge opportunity to reach potential customers. Literally millions of people spend hours engaging in some form of social media daily, why not become part of it?
Social Media for Businesses
By now most companies and businesses who perform any marketing online are aware of the marketing opportunities social media possesses. Social media does not only pull in millions of users for fun but it gives marketers a huge opportunity to present themselves in front of this enormous audience of Web users.
Watch, and listen to what Rand Fishkin, CEO of SeoMoz has to say about social media:
The Internet in general is definitely growing more and more towards social and interactive media. Creating websites that are designed to be extremely interactive and user friendly can prove to be far more rewarding than traditional text and image web design concepts. People don’t just want information they want entertainment and interaction.
While there are thousands of Social media websites and places for people to interact with technology, getting involved at some level is definitely going to have its benefits fro any business. There are so many opportunities for businesses to not just inform their audience but engage them, gather feedback and optimize marketing efforts.
If you are a business owner and you have not yet jumped on the social media train, what are you waiting for?
Don’t know where to start?
Here’s a short list of social media/networking sites to get you started:
All the above sites allow you to create a profile and submit your content. Try it out if you haven’t yet and let me know if you need help!
