What is Social Media?
Social media is a network where users are able to create and share content as a means to interact with others online, which is called social networking. Many people are able to benefit from social media; work from home parents, business owners, big name brands and the average every day adult. Whether you are seeking to use social media for entertainment or business branding, today we will discuss the question, “what is social media” and furthermore what social networks are predominately used in the world of social networking.
Social media is a social networking platform that enables any use from the beginner to expert to create and share a wide range of content. Social media is used to keep up with social ties, such as the trending news topics, what celebrities are up to and to promote your product or service. Social media may also be used to build brand awareness for business owners and entrepreneurs hoping to make money more online. In this day and age you can think of social media as the old news source like CNN or local news stations, but it is now at the tip of your fingers allowing you to social network with the news stations one on one as well as interact with other members of society interested in the same topic as you.
Social Media – Facebook
Facebook is a social media platform that enables user to form a closer bond, many people use Facebook as a means to connect with old school mates, family members and other long lost friends. Facebook Pages is a great avenue for business owners and entrepreneurs to connect closer with their customers as it allows a platform for likes and comments in a threaded format.
Social Media – Twitter
Twitter is a social networking platform where users can tweet content with a maximum of 160 characters per update. While 160 characters may make Twitter the social networking platform with the least amount of content allotted to be shared at one time, many people use Twitter daily and this is a great avenue to interact and keep up to date with the latest trending topics versus reading a newspaper daily. Twitter uses hashtags for means of tracking and connecting with like-minded individuals which is beneficial for social networking marketing associates.
Social Media – Pinterest
Many bloggers use Pinterest for social networking as well as other image friendly products because Pinterest is a photo based social networking platform that enables users to stimulate followers visual sense. If you are a visual person or someone who is looking to showcase crafts and recipes, then Pinterest will become the best social networking platform to promote your website.
Social Media – Instagram
Instagram is an online mobile based photo and video sharing platform that allows social networking one update at a time. Using hashtags seems to be the most popular method to gain exposure to potential clients as well as friends. Instagram can be viewed on a desktop but is predominately meant for mobile application where you can manage multiple accounts and upload content using your smartphone.
While there are a few other social networking platforms out there as a means to use social media to promote your product, company or brand as well as connect with friends, the top four listed here are the ones that users seem to take most advantage of. To sum it up; Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram are the four most popular social media platforms to use. Once you become familiar with each social media account and how you plan to use social media for social networking, you will be well on your to keeping up with the times.
What is your favourite social media outlet and why?
Facebook are my top. They made me feel truly associated far and wide and gracious, I get constant overhauls and news as well!
I used to love Facebook but recently active on Twitter. I am very active both 🙂
I like Snapchat. I’m late to the party on this one and only have a few followers. I think that is what I like though. lol It’s so easy to get lost in it all!
This post is great for the older crowd who are just getting into technology.
I like Instagram but I spend most of the time on Facebook.
My favourite is Instagram but the love has been fractured since the new IG was put into place.
Twitter and Facebook are my top two. They made me feel really connected around the world and oh, I get real time updates and news too!
I love Facebook I’m probably on that more than anything else 🙂 x
My mother in law needs this. She just refuses to understand even the basics of the internet much less social media. I don’t understand how she is younger than my parents, yet my parents are very social media savvy and love things like Facebook and Instagram, but my mother-in-law just refuses. She’s so missing out.
My Mum’s the same she doesn’t really get it which I think is a shame – my Dad on the other hand does. x
Oh, you got it all! This is worth to share with my friends. This is very helpful too especially to the newbies.
This is definitely some great info for all the newbies out there! Social media really is the key to
Marketing these days
It really is something so many people need to use in their lives now isn’t it – crazy how good it is. x
I like all social media for different reasons. I guess Facebook is one of my favorites. I like being able to keep in touch to out of state cousins and other family members. I just don’t like the drama though!
Oh gosh yeah drama on social media can be the worst – twitter can be a nightmare from time to time. x
Social Media has helped a lot of people gain exposure, whether if it’s for their business or for their own popularity, it’s the perfect platform to reach as many audiences as you can think of! Pretty informative post you have here!
I really enjoy twitter for social media for my favorite social media! I think Instagram would be a close second for favorite.
I like instagram and Facebook. I only use twitter for promotion but IG and FB are my favorites of the three.
Out of all the social medias listed I think I like facebook the best. Just can’t bring myself to tweet
Part of my day job is Social Media Manager. I happen to personally love Instagram with Facebook being a close second.
I love social media. Pinterest is one of my favorite!
This is a great post for bloggers. I still love Facebook and Pinterest. However I am trying to love Instagram,
You did a great job on breaking down social media and how each interface could be used to benefit the blogger. I know some who use all of it and others who only use a few apps.
I use all of these! Technology really is a wonderful thing
My favorite is Instagram. I don’t use it as much as I’d like to but with IG Stories, I find myseld on it more often as of late!
I think Pinterest is my favorite but I probably don’t use it enough. I use Facebook the most currently.
I can’t believe what an important role social media plays in our daily lives now. I love Twitter and Pinterest the most. I find that Instagram doesn’t result in much traffic.
Brilliant post that’s sure to help lots of people. i have to say, despite all the negative press, Google+ is my favourite platform. I get more generic engagement there with the most referrals to my site.
I love social media in general. The way it allows us to stay in touch with our family and friends we don’t live near. I now know what my cousins are up to and I didn’t have that 8 years ago. Granted, I’m happy it wasn’t available when I was a teen so it wasn’t recorded for the whole world to see. As an adult, I’m a little more responsible about what I choose to post 🙂
Great post!
Jacqui ~ Flightsoffancymom.com
I think Facebook is my favorite social media outlet. i use it to keep up with friends and family who live far away. For my blog, Instagram is probably my favorite.
I like Facebook and Twitter the best for my reach. I look at social media as my way to advertise my work.
I think I need to send this to my parents so they know what social media is. They are always questioning what this is and what that is when it comes to social media.
I am torn between Instagram and Pinterest! I love to see what others are up to on Instagram, but I also love to have hours lost on Pinterest.
Totally agree with that, love the snapshot you get on instagram 🙂 x
My favourite lately has been Instagram and Facebook, still trying to hack Pinterest.
Lovely post
It’s so hard isn’t it – so much to learn and do! x
This is right on point. Truly these are the 4 top social media sites that people talk about. Maybe soon you might be added SnapChat.
I was thinking about Snapchat – I haven’t got my head around it completely yet though! x
I loved reading this post! I work in social media and marketing, so I really appreciate when people write about social media for normal/every day people too. It’s a fun industry!
It is such a great place to connect – I need to utilise it more! x
I would have to say I prefer Instagram to look at but I use Facebook the most. It seems Twitter has just turned into a place to post ads, there doesn’t seem to be personal interaction anymore.
I love instagram – I’ve been away from everything for a while with moving and I’ve really missed instagram. x