Social media can have many different forms, such as online forums, wikis, podcasts, weblogs, snapshots and video. Technologies comprise of blogs, picture-sharing, vlogs, wall-postings, email, 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), Twitter (social networking and microblogging), Flickr (photo sharing), YouTube (social networking and video sharing), Second Life (virtual reality) and other microblogs that include Jaiku and Pownce.

What is Social Media Marketing?

Social Media Marketing is where you utilise social media networking and user-made content platforms to promote a product, service or content. Social Media Marketing usually involves building and participating in a "conversation" with the target market, as a substitute for openly advertising to them.

Social Media Marketing may additionally involve creating and promoting viral content material that is meant to be shared by users. A lot of advertisers are less than comfortable with the less control over social media but if approached properly, social networks can be very effective channels for building product evangelism, reputation management or corporate branding.

Why is Social Media fast becoming tremendously popular?

In my view it's simply because it mirrors our true nature. We are gregarious by nature and for once we are able to take advantage of technology with ease to reach out and get connected in new and satisfying ways. It's still very new too, you will find new frontiers popping up on a regular basis and it is similar to the early Cyberspace "gold rush" times during the 90s

Is every Social Media site for every business owner?

Entrepreneurs might not believe so, but it is. You practice it naturally each and every day, Social Media over the internet is actually the same thing applied technologically.

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

Excellent question. Not all Social Media online sites are equal. I normally encourage people to think "classical marketing" and don't let the 'flashing lights' trick you. Check out the site, take note of the conversation. "Lurk" a little bit. Ask a question, watch what happens. Each individual environment carries 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 clear example of this in action is a web site that aims at "gamers" - you intuitively are aware that if you're selling insurance you would have a tough time in that environment. Like I stated, think like a classical marketer.

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