Social Media is the use of media tools (primarily web-based) to discuss and share information between users.
It spans various direct-contact tools, such as Twitter, Delicious, Flickr and Zoopy, as well as social media implementations on websites, like social bookmarking links and allowing users to comment and provide feedback on content. Social media campaigns have raised money, created awareness and strengthened brands, all through the power of user interaction and discussion. The following series of posts aims to discuss social media and its growing importance and use in business (and in society in general). We’ll also showcase several popular social media web tools and explain what they do.
Part one of this series focuses on the popular micro-blogging platform, Twitter.
Twitter started out in March 2006 as a micro-blogging platform that allowed users to send short messages (a maximum of 140 characters) to other users and into the general “Twitterstream”, answering the question “What are you doing?” Users are able to follow each other’s updates through the Twitterstream (or feed). Various other facilities have now been integrated into Twitter, including a tagging facility, search option and the ability to update your Twitterstream from virtually anywhere, whether via mobile phone application, mobile website, desktop application or via the website.
Micro-blogging is a fast and effective way of advertising your brand or website, sharing interesting articles and blog posts, or discussing topics of interest. It is also invaluable for monitoring discussions about your brand or business and for responding to queries that may arise. A wide range of third-party websites have also been created through Twitter’s extensive application programming interface.
At first glance, this may all seem a bit pointless. And sending out short messages to users you may not even know in person might sound a bit ridiculous. At this point, I’d like to mention a quote by David on From-the-Couch from a few weeks ago that went something along the lines of “Social media starts inside, but it ends outside.”
If you aren’t using Twitter at the moment, I advise you get an account. Search for discussions or topics that interest you, and follow interact with users you find interesting.Â
What are your thoughts on Twitter? How has it helped you? Let us know!Â
In the past I’ve had trouble marketing the things I did. When I joined Twitter, I follow like-minded people and interests. This way, people who might find what I do interesting, sees it. Also, all the interesting links being passed around is a great bonus.
@Simon Thanks for the comment. I agree, it works both ways. Not only do you get to see things that you find interesting, you get to show others the things that you do, which they might find interesting as well.
I see Twitter just won a Crunchie. Well done guys.
“…Micro-blogging is a fast and effective way of advertising your brand or website…”
Yes and no. You have to ask yourself how many people are actually interested in reading your 140 character advert for your brand or website.
If you work in marketing or the creative industries you’ve no doubt had a manager come over and bellow something like “We need to get into Twitter!” then amble off, convinced that he’s done his bit to get with the zeitgeist, and that world domination for his brand is just a 140 character post away.
The truth is that micro blogging – like most other forms of social media – is about staying in touch with *real people*. Brands who try to elbow their way into this space just don’t get it.
Which lead to one smartypants creating this site: view link
For an ad-man’s perspective, read the excellent post entitled “I don’t want you to be my friend on facebook” here: view link
Thanks for your comment Tom. I agree with regards to the primary use of Twitter being staying in touch with *real people*. Brands that get it, as it were, could use Twitter more passively to search for conversations around their brand, assist with queries and support or provide clarification on things that may seem unclear to their users. Straightforward brand advertising on Twitter, without direct interaction, is almost pointless as users feel no personal connection, through Twitter, to the brand or company.
Thanks for the links. I’ll definitely go and have a read.
As this post is part of a series, you may find this post interesting: http://refresh.co.za/blog/?p=268