The Basics of Social Media

What is social media? Should I be using social media? How will social media benefit me? How do I get started in using social media?

These are the questions that I have been asked by an increasing number of our clients, friends and family. It can be daunting taking the plunge into such a fast paced, ever changing marketing medium. The following article may help you in getting started.

What is social media?

Social media is a phrase used to describe online applications that promote interactions or conversations between 2 or more people. There are an abundance of social media applications out in the market but Facebook and Twitter are by far the largest. Facebook has 500 million active users and Twitter boasts that there are more than 1 billion posts per month. These are phenomenal numbers and if you or your business can tap into this medium you can be apart of networks, groups or communities that share information, tips and leads.

Should I be using social media?

Social media is not right for everyone but if you can clearly identify what you wish to get out of social media then it will be easier to devise a strategy that suits you. Some questions that you might want to ask yourself are:

• Do you want to find out information from your peers, friends, partners or competitors?
• Do you want to tell the world about what you are achieving, selling, buying or developing?
• What do you have to offer, contribute or provide?

How will social media benefit me?

You can use social media in any way that suits you, so if that is to only follow people you are interested in then you will find out a lot of information. The most beneficial way to benefit from social media is to contribute! Contributing builds communities and conversations around you, your brand, your customers and is a cost effective way of marketing and keeping in touch with your networks.

How do I get started in using social media?

I tell everyone that is new to social media or not sure if social media is right for them to start small, follow people they are interested in. You will find that once you start following people you will see how others are using it and instinctively you will get ideas of how you can contribute as well.

Step 1 – Create a Facebook account (http://www.facebook.com/)
Step 2 – Find your friends on Facebook and see what they are up to (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/?sk=ff)
Step 3 – Create a Twitter account (http://twitter.com/)
Step 4 – Find your friends or people you know or are interested in (http://twitter.com/invitations/find_on_twitter)
Step 5 – If you get real keen start a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php)

If you are still lost in the land of social media feel free to give me a call on 07 3257 0677, email me at info@qmg.com.au, follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/qldmediagroup or look at our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brisbane-Australia/Queensland-Media-Group-QMG-/36822595707?v=wall