LibGuides: New Media Communications: Social Media

What is social media?

According to WhatIs.com, social media is "is a collective term for websites and applications that focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration." SEOPressor takes this a step further to define six types of social media:

Social Networks
Bookmarking Sites
Social News
Media Sharing
Microblogging
Blog comments and forums

On this page, you'll find out more about social media, as well as the dos and don'ts of posting.

5 Types Of Social Media Content Your Audience Want
Special Offers
People have no motivation to follow you if everything you post on your pages is available everywhere. Post exclusive offers to your Facebook followers, for example. The enticement will lead them to share it with others, which will, of course, generate leads, and promote your business. It will also promote customer loyalty because, if they know that by following you on Facebook, they will have access to deals that those on Twitter or YouTube don’t get, it may prompt them to buy what you’re promoting. After all, who doesn’t like getting deals that no one else can get their hands on? Of course, do this for every social media platform, but spread out the offers. You may end up with more business than you can handle! A good example of this might be to offer them free shipping or 50 percent off a single item purchase if they subscribe to your newsletter. Use this tactic to entice deal seekers and “casual likers”
How to make a splash in social media
In a funny, rapid-fire 4 minutes, Alexis Ohanian of Reddit tells the real-life fable of one humpback whale's rise to web stardom. The lesson of Mister Splashy Pants is a shoo-in classic for meme-makers and marketers in the Facebook age.
How to Use Social Media in Your Career
Do you think you should be on social media but don’t know where to start? What should you post, and how often should you post it? What's more powerful, a like or a retweet? Here's what you need to know about the most popular social media platforms for professional settings, whether you are looking to expand your network, build a business or find a new gig.
The Six Types of Social Media
This current social list has been updated to include new forms of media and social networking, on top of the existing six primary categories, each with its own unique set of characteristics and based on what people hope to accomplish by using them.
Social Media Definition
Definition of social media from Investopedia.
What is social media?
Definition of social media, with its implications in fields of business and social life.
What Is Social Media Management? [Guide]
Social media management is the process of managing your online presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by creating, publishing, and analyzing content you post. Managing social media also includes engaging and interacting with social media users. You can use tools, services, and social media managers to oversee your social media management.

Using Social Media

Anyone in the profession will tell you that there is an etiquette to using social media. Here are some resources on the Dos and Donts of social media.

30 Social Media Do’s and Don’ts | Learn Social Media Marketing Etiquette
In today’s time, when Social Media is omnipresent, effective presence on Social Networks can easily turn out to be highly productive. From advertising to lead generation to conversions, businesses can easily multifold their returns via Social Channels, and in the same very manner, candidates can impress hiring managers, and get the best-suited jobs. As per Careerbuilder.com, around 70% employers check social media to analyze if a candidate conducts himself or herself professionally well on Social Networks- And that is why paying proper heed upon the Social Media Do’s and Don’ts is very important to productively use this highly fruitful platform.
Do's and Don'ts of Social Media for Businesses
It is imperative that businesses use social media in today’s environment. Not only do businesses have to engage their customers and champions on social media platforms, they have to do so in a way that customers will listen.
How to Create a Social Media Marketing Strategy in 9 Easy Steps
Creating your social media marketing strategy doesn’t need to be painful. Create an effective plan for your business in 9 simple steps.
How to make a splash in social media
In a funny, rapid-fire 4 minutes, Alexis Ohanian of Reddit tells the real-life fable of one humpback whale's rise to web stardom. The lesson of Mister Splashy Pants is a shoo-in classic for meme-makers and marketers in the Facebook age.
How to Use Social Media in Your Career
Do you think you should be on social media but don’t know where to start? What should you post, and how often should you post it? What's more powerful, a like or a retweet? Here's what you need to know about the most popular social media platforms for professional settings, whether you are looking to expand your network, build a business or find a new gig.
Social Media Etiquette for Business Owners: 25 Do’s & Don’ts
Looking for the do’s and don’ts of social media for business owners? You’ve come to the right place. The constant evolution of social media can make it difficult to stay on top of etiquette and best practices for those platforms, especially if you’re an infrequent user. Each social media platform has various nuances that act as unwritten usage rules. When you break one of those rules, you run the risk of looking unprofessional and leaving a negative impression on your audience.