Since its inception, social media has grown by leaps and bound. As a matter of fact, a number of information technology technocrats regard social media as a troublesome technology. This is because it has the power to render current products, services as well as business models antiquated.

Whereas social media has not yet rendered any product or service obsolete, the power of the social media is most definitely defying what has been considered for many years as norm. It’s present and imminent effect will be intense in every aspect of life. Currently, social media has usurped conventional media as the major outlet for both news and entertainment. A couple of recent happenings, globally and locally, have showcased the likely imminent permissible and political influence plus the challenge that the society as a whole is experiencing with this type of technology.

Social media plus the amplified role which connected groups of users hold on certain matters are fast changing the globe in so many ways. For example, the chaos in the Middle East was mainly as a result of the influence of social media. One person managed to convince tens of thousands of youths to join in a rally to change the political landscape in their country. The truth of the matter is that a majority of individuals are now linked in so many different ways are now airing their opinions in respect to certain issues and as a result are impacting on their peers than ever before.

A local newspaper in the Jamaica, The Friday, in one of its edition questioned if the extensive fame of social networking websites in country had the ability to dent key aspects of the judiciary. It used the one of the cases as its reference. In this instance, legal professionals wondered if the popularity of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter had the ability to corrupt a likely jury pool and in the process prevent an accused individual his/ her statutory right to a fair trial. The argument was necessitated when a number of individuals named in the case were extensively discussed in some of the leading social media sites.

Given the impact that social media has on society, small businesses enterprises as well as corporate organizations cannot simply afford to ignore the influence social media sites have on their market niches.

Therefore, the million dollar question is, “Is social media a menace or an opportunity?” The answer to this question will hinge on how you decide to react. On its own, social media is an impartial subject. It can be viewed either as a tool or a platform, from which you can achieve your goals and objectives.

Social media networks have grown by leaps and bounds over the last 2 decades. Today, social media networks are not only used as a means of keeping in touch with friends and families, but also as a means of promoting products, services as well as business models. Small startup businesses that lack the financial muscles to compete with corporate organizations in the mainstream media are finding it easy to market their products and services by making use of social media networks.

Therefore, if you would like to learn more about social media networks, you will find the information provided in this article quite a thought-provoking read. Illustrated herein, are different types of social media networks:

Social Networking

Social networking websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter amongst others enable online users to add send messages, chat, add friends and share content. As stated earlier, social networking sites have grown by leaps and bounds. Today, there are millions of people using social media networking sites for different reasons, for example, finding love and promoting products and services.

Social bookmarking

If you have sent an email to a friend containing a link which you thought would amuse them in one way or the other, then you have taken part in social bookmarking. Today, there are social bookmarking sites that enable online users to share their preferred online content with friends and family whilst at the same time building online bookmarks which can enable you to refer to the links in the same manner you would as a bookmark created on your web browser.

Blogs

It is widely believed that blogs are what gave rise to what is today commonly referred to as social media networks. Blogs are basically online journals that allow users to author or write online journals (i.e. blogs) on areas of interest. Other than being used as a means of expressing personal opinions, blogs can also be utilized to share contents such as pictures and videos. Some of the markets leading blogging software are WordPress, Blogger, TypePad, Tumblr and Posterous.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a type of social media network created as a result of several online users working on a similar online content, however at dissimilar times and from varying locations.

Video sharing

Video sharing social media networks enable online users to upload videos and share them with friends and family. Some of the leading video social media networks are YouTube and iMemories.

A majority of small startup business lack the kind of financial resources which corporate organizations have to market their products, services as well as business models. However, in spite of this shortcoming, startup businesses still have to get the word out. Most startups are managing to achieve this feat without having to spend a single dollar on television and newspaper adverts by making use of social media marketing. Having seen the power of social media marketing, corporate organizations are starting to cash in on it.

Therefore, if you are surfing for information on marketing with social media you will find the information provided herein extremely helpful. Discussed herein, are tips and guidelines on how you can use social media to market your products and services.

Blog

It’s a common fact that most startup business does not have the financial capacity to run a successful marketing campaign in the mainstream media. However, this ought not to be a hurdle to achieving your goals as you can still market your product, services plus business model by making use of blogs. Your blog doesn’t necessarily have to be about your products and services. Remember that online shoppers tend to shun sites that shove merchandize down their throats. You can create a blog which functions in offering tips and guidelines on how to do a particular task.

In order for your blog to be successful, you have to keep it updated with fresh information. Try your level best to post at least three articles per day on various subject matters that are of significance to consumers. Nonetheless, it’s important to point out that blogging is not an easy task. It requires commitment from you.

Conferences

The art of social media marketing keeps changing on a daily basis and you need to keep abreast on all the happenings. As such, it is highly recommended that you attend social media marketing conferences organized in your locality. These conferences are usually attended by individuals that comprehend social media in and out and the information they provide at such conferences are usually priceless.

Benefits of marketing with social media

The following are some of the benefits you stand to gain by marketing with social media:

-          Increased web traffic to your site: As more and more people begin to read your blog posts, there will be increased web traffic to your sales page. This in turn will lead to potential customers for your products and services.

-          Wider consumer reach: Marketing with social media can enable you to reach millions of online users with ease.

Companies are turning to global leaders for research and reports on the challenges Social Media is facing. According to the Future of Content Survey, carried out by the market research company Loudhouse, only 34% of UK companies have a formal strategy for content marketing but in the 73% of companies do.

According to this research the budget allocated in social media for 2011 is increasing significantly. But, the strategies which will be used are still being formed, experimented and tested out in the real market.

Loudhouse is an independent market research company that was commissioned by Meltwater Group to, “conduct global industry research into how companies are tackling content marketing and social media, and how this needs to evolve to meet future business imperatives.”

The report drew information from interviews with decisions makers from 450 Companies around the world. All who employ more than 250 workers. Content still rules the mind of these decision makers. The three top content marketing channels where e-newsletters (62%), print magazines (61%) and social media (49%).

When questioned about the challenges facing, 38 % said lack of resources or time to invest in social media was their number one concern. 30% said that the “inability” to measure social media impact versus set goals was the challenge and 20% said that lack of monitoring and tracking are the biggest challenges.

Other regions such as Asia are also investing heavily in social media. Channel News Asia reported that business spending on information technology will grow by 12 to 15 % in Asia next year. A significant part of that investment will go into applications for social media to merge with business analysis.

Sandra Ng, Group VP, Practice Group, IDC, said: “Its going to basically bring social media collaboration closer to business application and business process meaning the business users.”

Marketing today is not just about putting in the money and opening accounts in different social pages. Social Media is massive we know it when we see Facebook launch the new Facebook profile business pages on 60 minutes. Companies across the board are all into the social game but they are aware of the challenge tracking their results. In business measuring goals is essential. Informal social media campaigns with no clear guidelines are not as effective as planned marketing.

Marketing goals can not be measured if they are not tracked. And they can not be tracked without applications of analytic capabilities. This gives birth to a new wave of applications. Companies, groups and businesses will all compete to deliver results.

Analytics is far from providing nice design, charts, tables and vast array of data. Analytics is providing a service of value where the data is summarized in useful information. Most of all the analytic information needs to be truthful. Companies that offer altered analysis will eventually demise. If visibility is the number one problem on internet then accurate analytic information is second in line.

Ben Stroud is the man behind Ministry of Sound’s Social Media. He took the club’s Twitter followers from 1,000 to more than 22,000 thousands in just months. New market research shows that in terms of social media engagement effectiveness, “in person events” tops the list.

Ministry of Sound, with a club and events, has an angle on this marketing strategy.  Engaging is one of the words that could be used to describe Ministry of Sound.

At the Marketers Forum, Ben Stroud said he does not like to be called a Social Media Expert. He works with brands and organisations. He helps them diversify the brand and coordinates social media strategies.

Ministry of Sound is one of those companies that transcended, strived, evolved and survived the transformation of the social media. They were broadcasting live radio and events around the world even before Facebook kicked off. Known for their music, shows,  massive events and CD releases, Ministry of Sound radio adapted pioneering the new social times.

But Ministry of Sound is not alone. New companies are trying to break into the social media music scene. Flowd,  based in Helsinki, Finland, is one of the companies breaking into social music media. Flowd has found a specialized niche for social media. They are focusing on the social world that occurs between artists, bands, Djs and fans. Flowd is developed by Digia’s Ventures business unit. Digia is a public company, listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki exchange (DIG1V).

Anyone can sign up to Flowd. While users are signing up to their service, Flowd is singing up artists and bands. Armin van Buuren, The Wanted and DJ Markus Schulz are some of the artists they already signed up.
The concept may not be new but the power behind Corporate Flowd can make a difference.  SEO´s know that a targeted social marketing strategy works out better than an informal one. Electronic music and artists-fan relations is a specific target. It makes social marketing goals and campaigns clear.

Flowd´s new app will also have to compete strongly with massive sites such as Ministry of Sound. Ministry of Sound knows a thing or two about social media, CD releases, signing artists and taking the virtual world into reality.

Marketing today in theory is said to be all about social media, But in reality more is needed. The business of social engaging proves to be much more efficient if people relate to the brand in the real world. Social music media has a plus side to it. Music events draw out the crowds and get the moods just right. Few brands are able to bring in thousands of people to their Twitter or Facebook pages but even fewer brands are able to take their fans on a live event experience. Ministry of Sound not only fills virtual social media and has millions of listeners around the world, they tour the world and pack the clubs. Whoever brings in new beats to this party will sure have to pay their respect to those who Dj´s who have spinning for a long time.

New social media is the preferred tool today when it comes to donations. When the Haiti Earthquake hit millions of dollars where donated through phone-apps, Facebook pages, or sites such as Red Cross. Today NGOs are taking on social media and creating new apps to fit the needs of the new campaigns,

The Salvation Army on Facebook is said to have generated 3 million a year. A virtual bell is ringing its way through the social media and reaching people through their phones. On Facebook, people who no longer make their walk to the Salvation Army can donate online. This virtual campaign is also bringing in donations from new social areas.

The instant click of donations makes it easy and simple for others to give. ShelterBox, the International Disaster Relief, is also on the rise. ShelterBox is praised by the Colombian president, known to have raised more than $ 10 million in donations for Haiti, and is now releasing a new movie. They say, “We rely on all our supporters, without you ShelterBox could not continue delivering aid and shelter to those who need it most”.

Donations world wide through social media reached billions of dollars in 2010. In many cases people were concerned about what happened with the donations. Social media users where willing to donate but they wanted more accountability and transparency on what the money was used for. The issue of accountability of donations was raised by the international media when they reported several times in South East Asia storms and floods or in the recent Haiti disaster that goods where sometimes not delivered on time. Pepole who donate want to be sure that aid reaches those in need. Social media and new apps are being created in response.

The Korean Committee for Unicef responded to these concerns seriously. They came up with a new Smartphone application. The application shows exactly how individual donations would be spent in underprivileged countries.

The new app is called Dubbed Sharing Calculator. It was developed with the support of Samsung Electronics. These type of applications are ideal for sites that take on social media donations. People across the world want to help but a good cause is not enough. They want to know more. They want organisations to be responsible in the way they deliver the money they are putting in.

Organisations like Red Cross are among the favourites of the people. Red Cross work is  respected by the international community. Their reputation is one of the reasons why people are more willing to donate money to them. When it comes to choosing between one or another NGO people  tend to go with those that have acquired a more respectable reputation. In consequence NGOs are teaming up to reach wider audiences. For example, MGive has partnered with four non-profits organisations, including the American Red Cross. They are experimenting with larger text-based donations.

Other applications such as the Red Cross app Emergency Kit, First Aid and CPR have saved lives. They provide information on what to do in case of an emergency. This proves that new technology and apps are effective. Medical and emergency applications are also a proof that applications can be serious and potentially beneficial for human society and life. Red Cross apps are available online and in sites such as I-tunes Apple.
Generally users in social media sites give out small donations but this occurs in great numbers. People are donating 1 or 5 USD with a simple text message on the phone or click on their sites. These donations add up to billions of dollars world wide.

NGOs that engage in social media, inform the public and deliver services efficiently are those that lead. They are chosen by users. Today, an emotional advertisement is not enough. People want tracking,  responsibility and accountability. New applications are the solution for these issues.

Games are not what they used to be. 3D rendering, comics, Hollywood movies or the “vanguard underground”, the gaming industry business used to move in one direction. Today social media games are so basic that they make my friends laugh. But, is basic good for business?

Monopoly

First is first, and an oldie is always a goodie. Nothing beats a good play of Monopoly. Where to play it? At Facebook of course. One thing though, you will have to be registered to play it. You might think it is too simple for gaming but actually as the Social Times reported, “when Facebook platform launched over a year ago, many observers of the new platform quickly realized that gaming was quickly becoming one of the most popular category of applications on Facebook“.

Facebook users do not go for complex scenarios. They will play for hours at a time, simple games like “Scrabulous” which for some reason was shut down some time ago.

Mafia Wars

Also on Facebook and accessible through Zinga, Mafia Wars is one of those games that are creating sensation.

Zynga, created by Mark Pincus, hired Owen Van Natta, and who is that?  Owen Van Natta is the former COO of Facebook. Zynga became “infamous” for their Texas Hold´em Game. Texas Hold´em draws over half a million users on Facebook and  about 1 million on MySpace.

Zinga did not stop there, they branched out. Mafia Wars is a role playing game that is just getting started. The company Zinga has raised funding recently hitting  $29 million.

Poker Star

Poker Star is another website that makes my friends laugh. Poker Star is the World Largest Poker Site. When it comes to business world wide, Poker Star is a giant. Silently dealing everywhere. Users can play for free, for sport, or for money. Poker Star comes fully equipped, lock and loaded for social media, chat and other user to user sharing abilities.

The Business of Gaming Evolving into Millions

Hyper Grid Business reported on a white paper released on November 30th by the UK-based virtual worlds solution provider Daden Limited that virtual worlds are not the next stage of evolution of the World Wide Web — but will be the evolution of social interaction.

The Guardian said on the issue that virtual goods economy is expected to exceed £550m for social gaming such as Zynga’s Farmville by the end of this year. Online gaming where users can get online currency seem to be the next big thing.

The Pixel Farms

Part of the gaming industry on the web is taking off in a different direction. They are not that interested in graphics, nor complex stories. Simple virtual farm games as the Facebook Sky Farm, Game Farm, or Town Farm are strange to the point of funny. Thousands of people around the world are virtually farming and selling their goods, which are nothing but time and pixels. Virtual cities, where people live their virtual lives, where they get virtually married, run virtual businesses, and get their virtual ego “avatared” are brining in the big money.   FT reported that the total US market for virtual goods will reach $1.6bn this year.

And that…makes my friends laugh.

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Social media on the web is a competition that already has winners. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Youtube are the most used social sites on the web. Alternative radio-streaming music sites incorporate Twitter or Facebook to their services in order to get that social “connection” made.

1: Facebook Music

According to the Internet World Stats there are 1,966,514,816 Internet Users. Facebook Press Room company says there are 500,000,000 Facebook users. This means that more than 25% of users world wide use Facebook.

People on the web are combining pages. They are using Youtube to upload videos, Facebook to share them and twitter to promote and tweet them. The truth is that there is not one site dedicated exclusively and known around the world as being the best Social Music Service in the web. Social Music Service on the Web is niche that is still unclaimed, and therefore left to the will of giants.

2: Youtube Dominates the Social Music Video World

Youtube without a doubt is the place to go when looking for music videos and social virtual experience. Bands like Coldplay use Youtube to send out December greetings. Youtube is working wonders for Hatsune Miku. Hatsune Miku is a Japanese Hologram that made a few online friends. She is the new pop star sensation. She fills stadiums with her hit song “the World is mine”.

Sites from across the globe have no idea where to start to compete with Youtube. Instead of copying the code they incorporate Youtube in their websites. Youtube dominates the virtual world of social music videos across the board.

3. Twitter and its Insatiable Appetite

TechRadar reported in November that Twitter is valued at around $3 billion (£1.89 billion). Adam Hartley wrote in that article, “Twitter is currently looking to raise over $100 million investment funds.”

Just a few days later the media said that Twitter’s net price was up. It was now worth 4 billions. One billion dollars of profit value in a week? Not bad business.

Twitter has millions of users. In fact it is growing so fast that the numbers change all the time. Twitter is also built into thousands of sites around the world.

The drawback? Twitter is banned in China and North Korea. So if you are planning on traveling to South East Asia, consider checking the local social music media.

4. MySpace Surrenders? MashUp

MySpace, the site which bread Social Media and music sharing, surrendered to Facebook by incorporating MashUp. With this new feature Myspace allows users to import their Facebook content, all of it. Music sharing in MySpace continues but social media giant Facebook is all over it now. With the click of a mouse users can MashUp their MySpace. Music and friends included.

5. The Sharks among Whales

Other sites such as Grooveshark.com incorporate Twitter and Facebook to give users that “social-experience”. Grooveshark is an interesting site if you are into Mp3. They allow playlists, have cool players, downloads, uploads and collections to be exported and shared on different sites. The plus side? They are devoted to excellent quality music of all kinds.

The site from Google, Orkut is number one in Brazil and India. Experts say it is because it works well with slow connections. In China Baidu Space masters the social music scence. In Russia a site called Vkontakte is chosen by local users. These sites are unique. They are chosen by local users for language and characters. For example, the site Mixi in Japan or Cyworld in South Korea are all worth keeping an eye on.

The word on the street is that with its 500 million users of Facebook could become rival to gmail of Google. Facebook came up with a news email service. Facebook also had to came up with new modifications in response to privacy concerns.

Privacy Mission

Some people are very concerned about the “power of Facebook”. In response a series of videos have been created. The following video shows privacy concern happening at “high altitude“. The good and the bad guy are both known stars. Is Privacy at risk at Facebook? Will hacking a Facebook email be an impossible mission?

Information Week, the Business Value of Technology reported  in November 24th, 2010.  “By getting permission from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Facebook moves closer to adding a legal weapon for protecting its name from upstart social networks. ”

Facebook is at a legal battle in order to register the trademark Facebook. For that they need both words. “Face” and “Book“. Sources say that this legal battle and quest could count with as much as 89,000 Corporations vs Facebook

Slow Talker

Here is video explanation. What Facebook is for. In my opinion they should use this character when going to trail. He should slowly explain the court what Facebook is for and why they deserve the TradeMark.

How much is Facebook worth? Media speculate on the price and several agree it is worth about 33 billion dollars, but Facebook has not yet gone public.

The Markets React

Those who know the story know that it is not a walk in the park. Here is a professional video showing the markets and how they are responding to this breaking news. The stability of economy and the power of Facebook is present without in this following video. As I said, this will not be a walk in the park.

Face Off

Facebook first tried to Trademark “face” in 2008. The company bought the trademark application of Faceparty.com, a U.K. social-networking site that launched in 2000 and applied for a trademark of “face” in 2005.

If Facebook takes over the word face, then this video might have to be deleted and that is not good at all. Poker Face.

MySpace and Facebook

In 2009 Facebook won $711 Million in another legal battle. This time it was against a spammer. The spammer was already in debt with MySpace. He was down under for $234 million.

Millions of people switched from MySpace to Facebook. The following video contains disturbing images.

Trademark Battle?

In August 2010,  Facebook filed a federal lawsuit against Teachbook, claiming that the use of the word “book” in the start-ups name infringes on the popular social network’s trademark.

“We weren’t aware that Facebook owned the Internet and the word ‘book,” Shrader told Information Week. Here is Facebook way of saying, we will consider all your feelings,  “

Who needs Real Life?

What would it be like if Facebook played out in the real world?

You´ve got Issues

Facebook is said to being affected the behaviour of the people. This an example of just that.

Roll Over Bug

Shrader said Teachbook would not “roll over” in front of Facebook’s legal challenge and would fight the lawsuit. “This is a David and Goliath situation,” Shrader said. “They’re bombing mosquitoes.” This is not a mosquito but actually does look like some kind of cyber bug.

South Park Take It Home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbqJBp1eiw0&feature=related