Interactive Insights Group

Interactive Insights Group helps companies use the Internet and Social Media to grow their business. Our blog offers resources, information, and advice on using social media to achieve your business goals.

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Social Media Tools 101 (From Blogs to Wikis)

There are a wide range of social media tools businesses can use to get more interactive — to communicate and exchange information with customers.  Businesses are increasingly using these tools because they offer more cost-effective ways to achieve their goals.

In this article, we present links to basic information explaining these tools.  In later articles, we’ll provide advice and resources to help businesses get started in using these tools effectively. Click on the Social Media tool category below to get a basic understand of each:

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Blogs  101

:: Simple Definition

A blog is a website where entries or posts are listed in chronological order.  Blogs commonly allow for readers to provide comments which are posted along with the original entry.

:: Learn the Basics

For a further basic understanding of blogs, here are some resources:

  • Watch this video “Blogs in Plain English” from Common Craft:

  • Watch this video “Google Reader in Plain English” from Common Craft:

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    Microblogging 101

    :: Simple Definition

    Microblogging is a form of blogging where users provide brief period updates (often on a frequent basis throughout the day) and publish them on microblogging platforms.  You’ve probably heard of Twitter, which is a Microblogging tool.  Microbloggers can submit their updates via the web itself or via text messages, instant message, or even email.

    :: Learn the Basics

    More and more companies are using Microblogging as a business tool (we’ll look at advice for doing this in later posts). But for now, to get a basic understanding of microblogging, here are some resources:

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    RSS 101

    :: Simple Definition

    RSS is a syndication format that allows websites and blogs to distribute their updated, dynamic content as feeds to users.  Instead of having to visit the website, users can sign up for the feed provided by the website or blog and using an RSS reader or aggregator (like Google Reader explained below), access the feed.  Users can sign up for as many feeds from different websites as desired and then access and manage those feeds all at once using their RSS reader.

    :: Learn the Basics

    More and more companies are offering RSS feeds on their websites (we’ll look at advice for doing this in later posts). But for now, to get a basic understanding of RSS, here are some resources:

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    Photo Sharing 101

    :: Simple Definition

    Photo sharing tools allow users to upload and post their photographs online to share them with other users.

    :: Learn the Basics

    To get a basic understanding of Photo Sharing, here are some resources:

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    Podcasts 101

    :: Simple Definition

    A Podcast is a digital audio that is distributed via the Internet for playback on a user’s computer or portable media device – a mp3 player such as an iPod.

    :: Learn the Basics

    More and more companies are offering podcasts  (we’ll look at advice for doing this in later posts). But for now, to get a basic understanding of Podcasts, here are some resources:

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    Social News and Bookmarking 101

    :: Simple Definition

    Social bookmarking allows web users to save, organize and share their bookmarks of web pages on the Internet (vs. their own computers).  Social news sites allow users to submit web pages and articles and have other users vote on them with the # of votes determining which articles are presented on the social news site.

    :: Learn the Basics

    Social bookmarking and social news offer companies additional ways to promote their websites and web pages (we’ll look at advice for doing this in later posts). But for now, to get a basic understanding of Social Bookmarking and Social News, here are some resources:

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    Social Networking 101

    :: Simple Definition

    Social networking services – Facebook and MySpace being the most well-known- are websites that allow online users to connect and share information with other online users.

    :: Learn the Basics

    More and more companies are leveraging social networks to prmote their brands and services and to connect with customers & potential customers (we’ll look at advice for doing this in later posts). But for now, to get a basic understanding of Social Networking Services, here are some resources:

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    Video Sharing 101

    :: Simple Definition

    Video sharing allows users to upload and share videos to video sharing website such as Youtube.  Other users can watch the videos, comment on them, share them with other users and even embed them on their own websites and blogs.

    :: Learn the Basics

    More and more companies are creating video content to share on video sharing websites like YouTube to promote their brands and offerings (we’ll look at advice for doing this in later posts). But for now, to get a basic understanding of Video Sharing, here are some resources:

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    Wikis 101

    :: Simple Definition

    A wiki is a collaborative website that allows users to contribute to and edit the content on the website. Wikipedia is a well-known wiki.  Wikifarms host multiple wikis and provide tools for users to create their own wikis.

    :: Learn the Basics

    Increasing numbers of businesses are creating Wikis to allow their customers to interact with one another and with them (we’ll look at advice for doing this in later posts). But for now, to get a basic understanding of Wikis, here are some good resources: