By Alex Lowe

Which is also a social media

site!

: 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.

Social media is a group of new kinds on online media and has 5 different characteristics:

Participation – contributions & feedback

Openness – encouraging voting, comments & sharing of information

Conversation – not ‘broadcasts’ but a two-

way conversation between creator

& audience

Community – quick growth & effective

communication with the sharing of common interests

Connectedness – the use of links to other sites, resources &

people

Social media is a conversation powered by social networking sites such as facebook, blogs, podcasts & wikis...

...These conversations can be between customers, employees, investors... ANYBODY!

...They are not organised or controlled...

...They can be vibrant, fun, compelling & full of insight...

...Social media is a brand new way of understanding markets by listening to each other... Its not just a messaging channel.

•Upload PowerPoint presentations to share publicly to millions of global viewers•Find thousands of presentations on almost anything•Sync audio with your slides for musical presentations•Create & grow your network by finding friends or making professional contacts•Join groups about certain topics or create your own collection of presentations•Check out presentations from events you’ve missed or create your own event•Participate & vote in contests•Add slideshows to blogs or websites•Share on social network sites, blogs & bookmarking sites...

...And its all FREE!!!

Social networking sites such as:

Online journals

Allows people to add or edit content...

...Such as...

Audio & visual files

Areas for online discussions around specific topics

Organise and share content in such websites as:

&

Social networking & bite-sized blogging – updates are distributed online & through mobile technology

On the internet there are:

Over 110 million blogs!

Over 100 million videos!

Over 123 million users on the social networking site Facebook alone!

WOW!