What does Social Media and Web 2.0 mean

The phrases 'social networking' 'social media' and 'Web 2.0' are relatively recent additions to the already confusing dictionary of computer speak. It is easy to feel confused by jargon such as this, and it doesn't help that the term Web 2.0 is something of a catch-all phrase that can mean different things to different people.

In essence, Web 2.0 means evolution; it describes the way in which the internet is growing from its initial incarnation as a largely passive experience, into a much more interactive medium that can be contributed to easily and harnessed by its users.

 

What follows is advice from Kisky Netmedia:

The term “Social Media” is used to describe a range of activities which involve the readers,  audience, users, or consumers, in a multifaceted dialogue online. “Social Media” is the term used to describe a set of online services which enable web users to get more out of the web. Sometimes described as ‘Web 2.0’, Social Media services have the following in common.

• Participatory – allowing users to contribute;
• Social – allowing users to interact with each other;
• Open – enabling public interaction and communication;
• Viral – and often spread content and ideas very quickly.

When we talk about Social Media tools, we are talking about things like:

• Blogs and blogging platforms – Wordpress, Blogger, Typepad;
• Video and photo sharing websites such as YouTube, Flickr, Photobucket;
• Social Networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Bebo;
• Professional Networking sites such as Linked In, Ecademy, Xing;
• Community rated news such as Digg;
• Preference Sharing services such as Last FM, del.icio.us, ma.gnolia.

Furthermore, "Social Media Content" is promotional and creates genuine interest amongst targeted audiences; partners, providers, and customers. Social Media is not solely about one central information owner disseminating information. Social Media is about creating or using environments in which many people participate in spreading the word, in helping each other through offering recommendations, knowledge and advice, and through networking.

A Social Media Strategy would be a marketing strategy which leveraged the power of existing online communities, tools, platforms and services, recognised the power of the community of people that is already online and included plans to converse with (rather than talk at) an audience or customer base. A Social Media Strategy would seek to building a genuinely valuable online resource in which people participated; it is community driven rather than transaction driven.

The Social Media proposition not only brings in more ‘visitors’ to an online brand or destination, but involves these visitors much more deeply, enhancing their experience, and in turn, the experience of others.

 

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