A little while back, I sent out a request via Twitter asking if anyone would be interested in being interviewed for a discussion on social media. With the medium meaning so many different things to so many people, as well as how it can be used, I was interested to hear the views of the people I connect with.
My original plan was to run a ?round table? style of blog post – raise the questions and then have a mix of views as the responses. However, the answers I received back were all excellent, and showed why social media is the mix of interesting people and views that it is. So, I decided individual posts would be far more effective in an on-going series of interviews.
Sharing her views today is Kathryn Jennex, project manager at moovy.ca, an online space for film-makers to network, promote and mentor. Kathryn also recently became Chris Brogan’s personal assistant. My sincere thanks to Kathryn for taking the time to reply and share her views. To connect with Kathryn, or find out more about her, please visit? the moovy.ca blog. Or you can connect with her on Twitter – @northernchick.
If someone was to ask you for your definition of social media, what would it be?
My definition is fluid and as I continue to learn more, always being added to, but the basis of the definition of Social Media that I adhere to is this: “At its most basic sense, a shift in how people discover, read, and share news and information and content. It’s a fusion of sociology and technology, transforming monologue (one to many) into dialog (many to many).”
To build upon that basic premise I also agree with this: “Social Media is the democratization of content and the understanding of the role people play in the process of not only reading and disseminating information, but also how they share and create content for others to participate. It is the shift from a broadcast mechanism to a many-to-many model, rooted in a conversational format between authors and people.”
I don’t define Social Media by the tools that are used? because I believe Social Media encompasses face to face networking, chatting around the water cooler and other discussions that occur off-line as well. (Definitions from Brian Solis).
What is your reason for using social media?
My initial reason was to promote a website I project manage, moovy.ca. When I became Chris Brogan’s assistant that changed – I live and breathe Social Media now and am beginning to help others new to the SM world.
What social media tools or applications do you use? Why these ones in particular?
I blog, am present on Twitter and Facebook and am trying to work more on my LinkedIn Profile. You can’t be effectively “present” everywhere. I think it’s necessary to pick 2 or 3 platforms and use them well. Remember, you choose those platforms based on the audience you’re working to engage with. It can change from project to project.
Just a comment ; building community takes time and effort, listening to the people you are trying to reach requires an investment, a level of commitment? and sincerity. These things don’t happen over night. The information about your Company, service, product, network etc. is already out there: choosing to manage it wisely, by using basic social media principals and tools, is a smart thing.
You can find more ?Discussing Social Media with?? interviews here.
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