What is social media and why does my business need to use it?

Published July 1, 2011 | By Melanie

Social media are on-line platforms that are used to create networks and share information. The most commonly used across all areas of business are Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Each of these platforms operates slightly differently but the one thing they all have in common is their ability to allow their ‘users’ to connect with each other instantly and share information. That information could be a link to a website, a video clip or just an opinion – but it is this sharing of information instantly and worldwide that makes social media such a powerful method of communication.

Even if your organisation is not using social media proactively you are probably being talked about in the social media sphere.

Social media is no longer just operating in the realm of teenagers and geeks it is a recognised channel of communication that should be a part of every organisations marketing mix.