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[T1333]Trends In Social Media

by Kristin Gabriel, Kri

Defined as the online technologies and practices used to share opinions, ideas, experiences, perspectives and insights with other people, social media is changing the way we learn, teach, interact and access others worldwide. People everywhere are having conversations online. The world of education is included; parents, students, teachers and lawmakers. A new wave of influencers is out there online, and it is very powerful.

It all started to flourish around 2007 when social networks began to gain traction. Now memberships are in the hundreds of millions. For the latest trends authors like Paul Gillin began talking about these new influencers several years ago.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the activities involved in social media:

1) Websites need to be properly optimized - so people can find them via search engines.

2) RSS feeds, or Really Simple Syndication - people can now publish online.

3) Optimized article submissions linking back to your website.

4) Blogs and Vlogs - to share content and videos (e.g. YouTube or Google Video.

5) Webcasts/Podcasts/Videocasts - Another way to share information from a desktop.

6) Social networks (MySpace, Flicker, Stumble Upon, etc.)

7) Socializing web content (tagging and bookmarking) - it's a library online.

8) Communities online - niche groups according to interests and topics.

Many businesses are already using social media finding these benefits:63 percent are using social media to build and promote their brand;61 percent are using social media to improve communication and collaboration; and 58 percent are using social media to increase the engagement of consumers.

The implications of social media are huge, and in education it is very big. Blogging is an enjoyable way to share information, learn from others and also to make professional acquaintances. Podcasts or videos can help others learn anytime and from anywhere.

Younger people have adapted very quickly to the concept of social media. MySpace is a huge congregation of sharing among kids. Now Twitter is catching on.

Anyone can use social media tactics for one of the following goals:

1) Conversation Mining. Research and mine consumers in vertical and horizontal networks and communities.

2) Invite influencers (customers/teachers/parents) into the circle to learn and share.

3) Choose the tools. Assign people to watch and listen to online conversations about education.

The latest social media tactics in education provide the ability for virtual classes too. There's a group at Second Life called 'Real Life Education in Second Life.' It is made up of people who are interested in the educational possibilities of the program. According to them, there are more than 400 universities and 4,500 educators participating in the Second Life Educators List (SLED). And this group is studying how to leverage the benefits of learning in a virtual world in order to assist the students of today.

Social media also allows students to interact across cultures, both directly and virtually. It also allows intercultural researchers to create new forms of study abroad via co-seminars helping to transform approaches to international education.

here are some social media networking sites for educators, networking and sharing information:

Education Futures - exploring the rise of innovative knowledge societies.

Twitter - where people can share in real time.

Facebook.com -(Sign up; review groups; use Friendster).

LinkedIn.com - ask "Questions" and "Answers" on Linked-In. Squidoo.com - a place to post and share topical information.

Gather.com - where you can post educational content

Skype - for instant messaging using audio/video.

Second City - for virtual teaching and conferences

Social media today is blending innovative technologies with social interaction, and the co-construction of new knowledge into popular social media outlets for online interaction that are centered around Web 2.0.

The buzz surrounding Social Networking sites may cause media buyers to shy away from allocating budget to the social networking platforms. Those who are just now getting on board may be "showing up late to the party", while the current advertisers are experiencing disappointing click-through rates. Despite the mixed reviews, there is still plenty of opportunity to become profitable through media buys involving social networks. The opportunity especially exists for local advertisers, and when it comes to advertising on social networks, local advertisers have the home field advantage.

When purchasing media, it is important to ask partners "what are your users' demographics?" Every media buy should contain a clear and concise definition of the target audience. Let's face it, reaching your target audience is the most crucial factor in any internet marketing endeavor, and targeting the right users based on their specific interest or behavior is critical in media buying.

We all know that users of social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, offer up their demographics through their user profile. This allows media buyers to reach audiences based on their specific interests, activities, relationship status, and of course, location. The plethora of user information eliminates the trial and error process of finding that "sweet spot" which is all too common in most media buys. This influx of segmented information enables a more time and cost effective purchase of media.

Historically, Social Networks have been synonymous with branding. Recently, the bigger brand advertisers are straying from social networks in search of niche specific sites. These niche sites are believed to create a more "meaningful" view for big brands. This shift leaves the door wide open for smaller, more localized advertisers to fill the void in Leaderboards and Skyscrapers. Local businesses recognize the fact that they need an online presence, and social networks extend the chance for these smaller businesses to get in the game.

Facebook, for example, does a phenomenal job of allowing advertisers the dynamic feature of targeting geographically. Local businesses can explore creative steps in order to reach consumers, while playing an active role in the community of wall postings, groups, and RSS newsfeeds. Of course, results will vary on a case by case basis and ads certainly need to be tested; but this obviously brings local advertising to the national websites.

Not only does advertising on social media give local shops the national appeal, it also maximizes ROI while allowing advertisers full control of budget. The average cost for one network cable spot ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 and the average cost for one premium network cable spot is $10,000. How much exposure could the same amount provide a local advertiser on a Social Site? Facebook's Social Ads are priced on either a CPC or CPM basis - advertisers are able to choose a daily budget and a maximum CPC or CPM, and there is no set cost for these advertisements.

Social media consumers are often seeking specific information in a low-pressure environment. Studies show that contextual advertising can increase a campaign's ROI in this medium. Facebook's users are accustomed to this type of informative content which can turn casual browsers into serious buyers. Although these social sites may be the future of local advertising, it is still important for local businesses to spread advertising dollars across the old marketing mix. Using the newspaper, radio, or magazines to point consumers to their site will spike interest. This multi-channel marketing will also enable a more branded appeal while pumping up traffic to stores, and will ultimately lead to increased sales.

No matter if you are looking to purchase media for a local bookstore, bike shop, dating service, or night club, social networks offer the opportunity for local advertisers to roll with the big dogs and score the big sales!

References:
"B2B Buyers Dig Social Media" Marketing Pilgrim, February 24, 2009 ( http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2009/02/b2b-buyers-dig-social-media.html )

"Exclusive PMN Research: Brands Struggle To Reach & Engage Younger Gen Y's Within Social Networks" Social Media Today, March 4, 2009 ( http://www.socialmediatoday.com/SMC/78154 )

Article Source : Pg. 108

About Author

Both Kristin Gabriel & Ashlee Pendleton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Kristin Gabriel has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cure Anxiety, Heart Diseases and Aging Problems. An author and marketing professional, Kristin Gabriel works with of the Basile Builders Group based in New York.. Kristin Gabriel's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.

Ashlee Pendleton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Education. Ashlee Pendleton Affiliate Strategist A Division of IntegraClick, Inc. Main Line: 941.584-0358 Fax : 954.208.0681 Email:. Ashlee Pendleton's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.