What is Social Media

Many people ask the question, "what is social media" in large part due to the ever-expanding Internet. Some common ground exists between industrial media and social media, but the differences between the two indicate the advantages and disadvantages of both.

In its purest sense, social media includes the vessels that carry information from user to user that is freely available and published instantly. This information could include news stories, general knowledge topics, and overall content about anything. When asked what is social media, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The Internet is the biggest carrier of social content, but some examples of non-Internet outlets might also come to mind. When there is a two way interaction between a user and readers through a website or other group interaction, then you have the basics of social media.

For decades, the industrial media was the main form of communication between people. Magazines, newspapers, and television programs fall into this category. One big disadvantage of these forms of media is that it can be costly to distribute material. Social media is cheap to produce and products are readily available to help someone looking to become involved in social media.

One thing that makes social media popular is ease of use. Some of the more popular websites are:

• Facebook and MySpace: social networking sites that let you attract "friends" and keep them updated. You can post blogs, pictures, music, and customize your page to represent you.
• Blog sites: Blogs are the ultimate form of social media because one writer communicates to hundreds, thousands and even millions of readers.
• Twitter: Within 160 characters, you can update followers on your goings-on. This is done through texting or directly from the Twitter website.
• Flickr and Photobucket: Upload pictures for people to view and comment. Basically you can publish a photo journal of your everyday activities.
• LinkedIn: Very similar to Facebook and MySpace, but focused on the business world. Make connections in your business industry or make contacts for the future.
• Second Life: A virtual world surrounds you like you live in the real world. Be anyone you want, make money and live your Second Life through a computer. World of Warcraft and The Sims Online are considered social media games because you interact with others to complete quests, chat, and relay information.

Some people just don't like to use the Internet to communicate. There are other ways you can participate in social media in the real world.

• Book Clubs: Books are shared and likes and dislikes spoken. Participants have one common interest - reading.
• Texting: This way is limited to how many characters you can type, but information is transferred just like on the Internet. You can set alerts to your phone to receive news, communicate personal information through text, or just send and receive texts about random thoughts.
• Newspapers: While many newspapers are turning to online sources to generate readership, the print newspaper is still great social media. You can't communicate as quickly and timely as you can via the Internet, but you can still write Letters to the Editor, suggest local stories, and submit events that you are holding or planning to the paper.

Here are some advantages of social media over industrial media:

• Cost: Almost anyone can create a social media website. With little or no overhead, a person can reach millions of readers or users in a matter of minutes.
• Timelines: A person can communicate about what is happening right now. For example, during the time the U.S. took over Baghdad in 2002, a citizen of that city created a blog. This blog gave hourly details about what he was experiencing.
• Reach: Newspapers are limited by circulation; television is limited by viewers. The Internet has information available whenever someone wants to call it up on the computer. Almost everything is just a click away.

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