Social Media

Portfolio Example

Social media are a collection of inexpensive software tools that enable anyone to publish information to the Internet. Traditional news agencies fill a lot of newspapers and air time in their talking about Social Media but the topic is simple - It's a tool that let's the average Joe put his information on the Web.

Forms of Social Media

Social media can take many different forms but they all do the same thing to varying degrees. They all publish data. Each term below refers to a specific type of publishing forum. Think in terms of restaurants - they all serve food but some drive through and some serve 4-course meals.

Blogs - A blog is a type of a website propelled by a simple publishing tool. They are often maintained by one person but visitors are allowed/encouraged to comment.
Wikis - A wiki is a website that relies on a wiki software, which allows collaboration on the content. It's not unlike a knowledge base run by a simple blogging tool.
Podcasts - A podcast is a series of digital files (usually audio files) that are released periodically. The files live on a website but the digital files are broadcast out via a syndication software.
Groups & Forums - Groups and forums have cross pollinated a bit in definition. They are websites which enable a number of people to post information online in a response manner. One person starts a topic and the other members respond in a linear fashion.

Examples of Social Media

From a business-owners perspective, here are four major social media arena (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube). We are intentionally leaving MySpace out of this discussion because Facebook has left them behind.

Blogs - Blogs are an easy way for the average person to publish their content to the Internet without knowing web design or development
Facebook - Facebook users subscribe and then various networks organized by city, workplace, school, etc. to connect and interact with other people.
Twitter -Twitter is a free micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read 140 character messages known as tweets.
YouTube - YouTube is a video-sharing website where users can upload, share, and comment on videos.

How can we help?

First Scribe will work with you to develop a social media plan that you can handle. Remember, a lot of the work falls on you to communicate with your audience. The social media tools are only a broadcasting device. We will give you the starting point and know-how to forge ahead.