Social Media vs Social Networking
Do you know the difference between Social Media and Social Networking?
Some say that’s a silly question. For many, that may be true, but everyday someone creates a new social media profile or a website. Some may think social media and networking are the same or interchangeable terms. However, they are not the same thing.
Media, in its old school platform is:
Newspapers
Magazines
Television
Radio
It’s a means of communicating information to others. This was the norm for so many years. People or companies would broadcast information through one of those avenues and others would receive the information. Then along came cell phones, the internet, and the World Wide Web. Social media includes websites, blogs, and videos. These are all vehicles for sharing content, ideas, and messages in a one-way manner.
With Social Media, you’re doing all the talking. You publish content, videos, eBooks, and information, with the hopes of engaging others. You increase your fans and followers. You want them to interact and possibly take action, check out your website, purchase a product, etc.
Social Networking is connecting with others. It’s a two-way form of communication. Usually you join a networking group because you have a common interest, problem or goal.
With networking, you can’t just be the talker. To be successful, you need to be involved, listen and engage with others. It’s nice if someone within one of your social networking groups turns into a sale, or a job, or a referral, but that’s not the goal. Networking takes time, having conversations with questions and discussions to build and foster relationships.
As you can see, both are effective vehicles for communicating with others, but they are indeed not the same thing. Do you need help with your Social Media? Check us out !
