Social media is about sociology not technology.
_{Brian Solis (1970 – )}

The Vue Post on Online & Social

Social media is a legitimate business tool, although it is still widely misunderstood, mistrusted and misused.

Social media can bring organisations and individuals real-time news and competitive intelligence, and help with work-life integration. It is a tool for customer relationship management, and business development.

A social media presence for businesses of all size is a basic service expectation by clients and customers in today’s connected world. The public had become accustomed to contacting businesses via social media, to have a conversation, give feedback and receive customer service.

Organisations and individuals may choose to avoid social media, but that won’t prevent clients and customers from discussing their business on social media – they just won’t be part of that conversation, and won’t be able to influence the public discourse about their business …

Personal branding, including a professional social media profile, is also becoming a quintessential professional standard at all levels of seniority, across all industries. Blogging increasingly forms part of a well-rounded online presence, with professionals sharing their knowledge and opinions, and engaging in conversations with readers.

Many struggle getting their head around the concepts of social media presence, personal branding, and blogging. Even identifying the relevant platforms for creating a business or professional online presence, whether on a website, blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram can be a difficult process. Those difficulties can contribute to the unease many feel about social media.

Fantastic social media news sources:

• Digital Trends
• Entrepreneur
• Forbes
• Mashable
• Social Media News
• Social Media Today
• The Guardian
• The Huffington Post
• The Independent
• The Telegraph

The Vue Post YouTube Online & Social Playlist