What Is Social Media

What Is Social Media?
Social media is any digital tool that allows users to quickly create and share
content with the public. Social media encompasses a wide range of websites and
apps. Some, like Twitter, specialize in sharing links and short written messages.
Others, like Instagram and TikTok, are built to optimize the sharing of photos and
videos.
What makes social media unique is that it is both broad and relatively
uncensored. While many social media companies impose some limitations—
such as taking down images that display violence or nudity—there are much
fewer limitations on what someone can share than there with other means of
mass communication like newspapers, radio stations, and television channels.
Anyone with internet access can sign up for a social media account. They can
use that account to share whatever content they choose to, and the content they
share reaches anyone who visits their page or profile.
The use of hashtags on social media groups content together by topic, allowing
users to connect with strangers who are sharing content related to a topic of
interest.
How Social Media Works

Since social media covers so many different kinds of websites and applications,
the function of these tools also varies. However, most social media sites start
with a user creating a profile, usually by providing a name and an email address.
Once a profile has been created, users can create and share content. For
instance, an Instagram user with a new account can take a picture and share it
on their profile with a caption. In addition to creating content for their profile,
social media users can find other users whose content they want to follow or
comment on. Depending on the type of social media, a user may "follow" another
user, add them as a "friend," or they may "subscribe" to another user's page.
Social media often uses "feeds" that allow users to scroll through content. Social
media companies use algorithms, based on a user's profile data, to determine
the content that appears and the order that it appears in. The feed will include
content from "followed" users, as well as from entities that pay to promote their
content.
Types of Social Media

There are many different types of social media, and many services could fit into
multiple categories. Here are a few of the major types, along with some
examples.
Social Networks
Social networks specialize in connecting and exchanging thoughts, ideas, and

content with other users—often with users who share tastes and interests.
Facebook and Twitter are examples of social networks. Though more
professional than others, LinkedIn may be considered a social network, as well.
Media Networks
As opposed to social networks, which specialize in letting users share and

exchange raw thoughts and ideas, media networks specialize in distributing
content like photographs and videos. Instagram and YouTube are examples of
this. A YouTube user, for example, will upload a video they've created, and other
users can "like," "dislike," or comment on the video. If they enjoy the video
enough, a user may choose to "subscribe" to the creator, so that new videos
from that creator appear in their feed.
Discussion Networks
Discussion networks like Reddit are the ideal outlet for posts that can spark in-
depth discussion among users. Users can leave detailed responses in the
comment section, and other users can respond directly to those comments,
allowing for conversations to grow and develop organically.
Blogging sites like WordPress may also be included in the discussion network
category, though some would consider blogging its own type of social media.
Review Networks
Review networks like Yelp and TripAdvisor add social media aspects to user
reviews of products and services. Users can interact directly with those leaving
reviews, as can the businesses being reviewed.
Businesses and Social Media

While any individual can sign up for social media, social media platforms have
become an important part of marketing for businesses of all sizes. The key to
successful social media is to not treat it like an extra appendage but to treat it
with the same care, respect, and attention you do all of your marketing efforts.
Here are some things businesses should keep in mind while using social media.
Social Media Marketing Is Fleeting
By its nature, social media is a short attention span media—you have to catch
their attention as they're quickly scrolling through dozens of posts at a time. Ad
headlines and copy are harder to fit into an attention-grabbing tweet than a
traditional newspaper ad.
You Must Be Active on Social Media
One of the biggest mistakes retailers make is to open up accounts on every

social media platform they think is relevant and then leave them alone with no
activity. In fact, social media users may be turned off by the retailer who opens
accounts and does not engage with clients or the public.
It may be better to not have a social media icon on your website if you are not
going to actively engage with it on a daily basis.
Focus on the Customer
Another big mistake retailers make is to use social media to talk about what is
important to them rather than talking about what is important to the
customer. Retailers who use social media, for instance, may think it is great to
spread the word about a sale. In some ways, this would be true, but if that's the
only reason you are getting involved in social media, it won't be beneficial. Your
goal should be to provide content that is relevant to your customer and engage
with them to the point that they want to share your post with others.
If you use social media, you need to engage with your customers, involve them in
a dialogue, and ask them for their opinions. Post a picture of two items you are
considering carrying in your store and ask customers which one they like best.
This creates a dialogue that leads to shared posts and engaged followers. Plus, if
you successfully engage with your customers, it will help you better identify their
tastes and preferences.
Images Are Key
Another thing to consider is that the most commonly-shared content on social

media is an image, so it's a good idea to include an image with your posts.1 This
will dramatically increase your chances that one of your followers will share the
post with their network. While building up a large network of followers is great, a
better measure of social media success is how often your followers share your
content—no matter how many followers you have. This is the new form of "word
of mouth."
Key Takeaways
 Social media is a website or application that allows you to create and

share content while engaging with other users.
 The type of media being shared depends on the social media site or
application in question.
 Unlike traditional mass media outlets, social media allows almost anyone
to instantly reach the public, and there are relatively few restrictions on the
content.
 Businesses can use social media to engage with customers.
Definition - What does Communication Media mean?
Communication media refers to the means of delivering and receiving data or
information. In telecommunication, these means are transmission and storage tools or
channels for data storage and transmission.
Techopedia explains Communication Media

Different media are employed for transmitting data from one computer terminal to the
central computer or to other computer systems inside some kind of network.
There are two forms of communication media:
 Analog: Includes conventional radio, telephonic and television transmissions

 Digital: Computer-mediated communication, computer networking and telegraphy
The most commonly used data communication media include:
 Wire pairs
 Coaxial cable
 Microwave transmission
 Communication satellites
 Fiber optics
The communication media acts as a channel for linking various computing devices so
that they may interact with each other. Contemporary communication media facilitate
communication and data exchange among a large number of individuals across long
distances via email, teleconferencing, internet forums and many other forms of
communication.

What Is Social Media

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What Is Social Media

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What Is Social Media?

How Social Media Works

Types of Social Media

Social networks specialize in connecting and exchanging thoughts, ideas, and

As opposed to social networks, which specialize in letting users share and

Businesses and Social Media

Social Media Marketing Is Fleeting

You Must Be Active on Social Media

One of the biggest mistakes retailers make is to open up accounts on every

Focus on the Customer

Images Are Key

Another thing to consider is that the most commonly-shared content on social

 Social media is a website or application that allows you to create and

Techopedia explains Communication Media

 Analog: Includes conventional radio, telephonic and television transmissions

The most commonly used data communication media include:

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