An attempt to define social media without reference to specific tactics or examples.

1. Social Media is a red bike.

2. The phrase is not……. Socialmedia Social-Media Social & Media

3. We’ve got an ……. adjective describing a noun.

4. Social qualifies media.

5. So now we have 2 questions.

6. What is media? What is social?

7. Media is … the plural of medium. It is used in art anatomy entomology ancient history communications

8. Businesses care most about communication.

9. Business communication … is intended to convey a message. We have lots of things to talk about news stories helpful hints announcements purpose and values

10. Messages need a container to work.

11. Media carry messages.

12. Since media is plural… there must be different vehicles. We often think and plan broadcast online social print pr

13. Each medium has its own role and rules.

14. Businesses have a purpose, so … we use media to achieve objectives. We often think of a funnel awareness interest purchase loyalty recommend

15. No medium fits all purposes.

16. Media have constraints, so … we choose based on leverage. We often look at media in terms of effectiveness efficiency reach control response

17. Social media can’t be broadcast media.

18. The adjective sets the stage.

19. Now to the word “social.”

20. Social is … a category for types of activities. It can relate to society sharing welfare experiences relationships

21. Social suggests human interaction.

22. People interact … to share ideas and experiences. These often consist of news opinions complaints announcements recommendations

23. Putting the two ideas on the same page Social: Human interaction Media: Vehicles to carry messages

24. Social Media: Tools to facilitate conveying a message via human interaction.

25. “Tools” because that is what media are.

26. “Facilitate” because it must have a purpose.

27. “Conveying” because it is shared, not shouted.

28. “Message” because it is (might be) relevant.

29. “Human” because it is about people.

30. “Interaction” because it is at least two-way.

31. There are serious implications in all of this.

32. We are all naked in here.

33. Messages have the half-life of a gnat.

34. Interaction trumps message every time.

35. Messages and interactions can’t be controlled.

36. Business is only a bit player in Social Media.

37. It is not a silver bullet.

38. Two questions to think about:

39. What do you need that people can help with?

40. What do you know that would help people?

41. Why the strange title?

42. Bikes are vehicles too.

43. A bike carries me around… depending on my mood. I own a …. road bike touring bike mountain bike single speed (building it) red bike

44. The road bike is for lots of miles at max efficiency. Think the reach of broadcast media.

45. The mountain bike is for specific, niche rides. Think the targeting of print media.

46. However, if I want to talk with neighbors I ride this:

47. So, social media is a red bike.

48. Who put these thoughts together? Anthony Power Strategy and Solutions @apowerpoint apowerpoint.blogspot.com