What is social media?

The term ‘social media‘ represents the collective of online meeting places that allow users to “follow”, “like”, and “share” experiences, photos, and communications. Participants can keep in touch, share updates and information, and experience community-based exchanges as well as real-time interaction.

Examples of social media:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Tumblr
Google+
LinkedIn
Reddit
Pinterest
These are just a few. The market is rampant and growing.
Depending on the search terms, I found there are between 60+ and 91 sites that are considered “social media”.

These sites allow members to connect online. Some have a purely social appeal, others are meant for creative content, while some are used to make professional connections.

A lot of people seem to shy away from the notion of sharing via social media. What they need to know is that THEY control what is shared.
You do not have to “follow”, “like”, or “share” anything you do not want to. Most of the sites offer preference pages where you can select how often you’ll be notified with new posts, what the content may be, and who sees what you share.

I have two Facebook accounts, a personal page and an author page. I use the personal page to follow my friends and family and share day to day experiences. I used that account when I helped plan my high school reunion.
I use the author account to keep track of the many connections I make in the literary world. I try to keep them separate and post individual information on each.
As you know from the previous post, I lose a LOT of time on Facebook. A lot.

I also have a Twitter account which I use primarily as an author. I follow many peers, publishers, agents, and editors, as well as other industry people that I admire. It’s much easier for me to check in and out of Twitter.

And those are all I have time for, lol.
I have a LinkedIn account, an Instagram account, two Goodreads accounts, and I’m on Pinterest…there may be more…
Like so many other newbies to the market many years ago, I thought I had to try them all.

There seems to be some discrepancy regarding whether blogging is considered social media or not…
I believe it is.
When I blog–
Do I hope to engage you? Yes.
Do I want you to share and comment? Of course.
Will I respond to your share and comment? You betcha’.
Did I reach out via the internet? Uh, duh.
Seems both social and media to me.

I don’t claim to be a social media genius, but I do participate enough to have experience and insight. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
(If it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert, I just might be!)

In the next couple of posts I will delve further into what was discussed during the panel discussion on social media at the Writers’ Block Party.

I look forward to sharing with you.

*”Follow, Like, and Share” are Facebook specific. Each site has their own version.