Advertising Through the Social Media 

What Are the "Social Media?"

"Social media" is a collective term that has come to describe a variety of programs and tools that build "communities" through shared information and discussion on the Internet.

Recent development in online technology have allowed increased social interaction, text messages, pictures, videos and audio.

The most prominent social media include the following.

Blogs

Blogs were originally called "web logs" because people used them as online diaries, like a daily "log" of things that were going on in their lives. The name was soon shortened to "blogs," but their use expanded include opinion, commentary, news, consumer information, or anything the blogger wanted to publish online.

There are now millions of blogs on the Internet.

Blogs can also offer readers an opportunity to include comments, articles, or information for other visitors to read.

Political blogs have been especially popular in recent years.

Discussion forums

A discussion forum is simply a website that allows visitors to post and discuss information or offer opinions.

Blogs and discussion forums vary mainly in the way they're organized. In a forum, members typically submit topics for discussion, and other forum visitors "post" a response. These discussions on a single topic are known as "threads," and they're visible to all members of the forum.

A forum can center on any topic, but medical and consumer subjects are especially popular.

Social networking sites

Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter and LinkedIn offer varying degrees of potential for getting free advertising or publicity. Facebook offers a paid advertising program.

For additional information on opportunities on social networking sites, please visit our Article Library. 

Wikis

A "wiki" is a collection of information that can be posted and modified by the actual users of the wiki. The collaborative encyclopedia Wikipedia is one of the best-known wikis.

Online Games

Many companies are using online games to keep visitors coming back to their websites. While the visitors are playing the games, they'll often see subtle messages or product offers from the company.

Lately, some companies have been using the strategy of product placement in popular online games. During the 2008 presidential campaign in the United States, Democratic candidate Barack Obama bought advertising space encouraging games to vote for him in the upcoming election. 

To see an example of an online game that's used for advertising and promotion purposes, click here.

Podcasts

Podcasts are audio files that can be downloaded onto your computer or mobile listening device. Many TV and radio networks now offer podcasts of their programming. Advertising messages appear often precede the content.

Video streaming

Thanks to faster processing capability and cheaper memory storage in recent years, it's now possible to watch video on computers and even tiny portable electronic devices.

In 2005, this capability led to the creation of YouTube, in which users can not only view, but can also to create video to upload on the Internet for others to watch.

Many TV networks now offer programming via video streaming. Once again, a short commercial message often precedes the content. See Countdown and The Mentalist.

To see examples of how the social media can be used for promotion, public relations, and advertising, click on social media advertising and public relations.

Related Articles: Facebook Advertising and Creating a Facebook Business Page For Online Branding by Joe Fanning

Using MySpace Links For Commercial Advertising And Promotion by Tino Buntic

Using Twitter for Business Promotion, Public Relations and Publicity.

Also see: Internet Advertising Programs and Social Marketing Advertising Principles.