Web 2.0 LogosRebecca Corliss, a friend of mine that I met through Twitter, pointed me to follow @tdefren - principle with SHIFT Communications. It just so happened that the first message I got from him was a link to his blog article about personal branding and social media [see the source here]. He states that he will not hire people he already knows through social media, someone who does not have a presence, a name for themselves online. This got me thinking, what is social media and in what forms do we consume it?

A big part of the Web 2.0 world is wrapped up in a new concept known as social media. The whole idea behind this is that users are generating their own content, sharing content, commenting on content, and in many other ways putting more and more of themselves out on the internet. As Mr. Defren points out, these tools are much more important than just simple entertainment. Rather, the true value of social media is that users can now make a name on their own. Individuals can become renowned for their thoughts and opinions, by showcasing their work right alongside large corporations and media giants.

Today, I will introduce a few social media outlets that optimize the major styles of user-generated content that I can think of.

  • Podcasting - Podcasts came onto the world stage in 2001 when Dave Winer enclosed a Grateful Dead song in a scripting language then put it out over the internet using RSS (really simple syndication). Apple soon released the iPod, and in 2003 coined the term “Podcasting” for their service in iTunes. At its core, podcasts are simply radio shows that have been recorded and put into a feed that allows users to download and play them back at their leisure. Most podcasters are hobbyists doing it for fun though more and more, mainstream media are getting into the space. In the last year, I have launched my own podcast, College Tech Central, and consume many podcasts a day. In fact, I use podcasts as my primary means for getting my news. [source: wikipedia]
  • YouTube - A gold standard in user generated content. There are many websites like it, but YouTube is perhaps the most well known. Anyone can shoot a video, upload it to YouTube, and have it open for all to see and share. Users can comment, rate, and subscribe videos making the service a small social network. I would bet that most college students have found YouTube to be a great time suck when trying to concentrate on studying or doing homework, I know it did for me. It is a great service to start with if you are entirely new to social media since it is so easy to understand and navigate.
  • Flickr - Flickr is a service that is similar to YouTube but concentrates on photography. Here, users can upload and share their photos (and now short video clips too) online. Other users can then search for photos, comment on them, and even share with others. I use Flickr to share all of my photos from studying abroad in Ireland so people back home can peek at all the fun I am having. Advanced users will find that there are groups of other users within the program that share common interests and subjects, thus adding an additional social theme to the site.
  • Wikipedia - This giant of social media is quite possibly the largest of all social media platforms. For those that do not know, Wikipedia is a publicly editable encyclopedia with entries far more wide reaching than traditional written texts. Anyone can edit the pages but there are community rules and self-moderation groups built into the site that help keep posts in line. I do not think that anyone is getting famous for their Wikipedia articles but if sharing your knowledge is fame enough, consider contributing to the group conscience.
  • Blogging - Another traditional social media platform, blogging has come a long way from its young roots. Nearly anyone with a computer or internet access now has a platform to share his or her prolific ponderings or just their daily thoughts. Users cover every imaginable topic from what they ate that day to world politics and global business strategy - heck, there are blogs written about how to write blogs. What is great about blogging, as with podcasting, is that blogs can enjoy tremendous engagement from their audience. Feedback, comments, voicemails, you name it - they all contribute to the show. Communities grow up around favorite writers. This is a must-do on your personal branding to-do list (more on that later in the series). Wordpress.com and Blogger.com are two free blogging platforms for you to get started.
  • Twitter - Twitter is the new kid on the block. The service is based on micro-blogging (think Facebook status updates in real time). Basically, users will “follow” each other posting updates, thoughts, links, or breaking news. The great thing about Twitter is this: interaction. Being conversational and really making some relationships can earn you HUGE dividends later on. Remember what Todd Defren said, if he does not know you already, why should he hire you? Twitter is a great way to engage others, learn from the leaders in your field, and gently build credibility by making a name for yourself on the service.

Social media started as a voice for the people and that will always be at the heart of the matter. These days, however, brands and companies are slowly getting the clue that they can engage their customer base in unique ways that provide much greater value than traditional advertising ever could. They are building their brand through social media and so should you. Next week, we will be talking about how to information Web 2.0 and relationships.

Did I miss any big ones here? Do you have any favorite social media sites? Want someone to find you and your work online? Post a comment or send us and email at collegetechcentral at gmail dot com. Catch you all next week.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 3:42 pm and is filed under student survival guide. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.