Q&A
These are the top ten questions I get asked about social media and how I answer them. What would you say?
10. What social networks are you on?
I try out a lot of social networks, but you can find me on twitter & LinkedIn. Facebook is private for me. I know that is opposite the trend, but I started out that way and intend to keep it that way. Facebook is how I keep up with my friends. Twitter is for being social. 
And LinkedIn is professional. I also participate in Outright.com’s online community to learn more about the financial end of running my business.
9. What is social bookmarking?
Saving your favorite links on sites like delicious, stumbleupon, and digg so that you can share them with others. And, you learn about their favorite sites. It also helps with search. If someone likes your link and shares it on any of these sites, it can drive traffic to your web page or blog. In the case of digg and stumbleupon, links are voted on, so that can give your a leg up too 
8. What is most important for me: a blog? facebook? twitter?
BIG question. And the answer is different for each individual and organization. It all depends on: how you want to participate online, what’s fun for you (like if you are into baking Bakespace.com is awesome!) and how much time you have. In the case of a company, it depends on how and where you want to engage the community that loves your product or service. And, it matters who on your staff is good at what type of social media. I learned that from James Clark of Room 214 fame. He once recommended that part of an organization’s social media success was learning who in the company was best at what type of social medium. A simple point, but often overlooked when we think everyone in the company must use every social media channel.
7. What is Foursquare?
It’s a geography-based game that lets you compete with friends as you “check in” at different locations- bars, zoos, city council chambers, dessert restaurants, etc. As you check in at places, you get badges. Foursquare addicts are often the “mayor” of their favorite haunts.
6. What is an app?
It’s a tool found online, in your phone, or on your desktop built out of software. Think: flickr, Android apps, Google Docs, Tweetdeck.
5. Do I have to be in Social Media?
That is really up to you. Some folks think you must be on there, others not. A lot of people are on at least one social network they like and use a lot, so if you want to stay connected, being there with them is the way to go. Sometimes the perception is that “If I am on a social network, I have to be on it all the time.” Not so. You decide when and how to participate.
4. What is a personal brand?
It’s basically your personal reputation which is augmented by how your participate online- what your linkedin profile says about you, what pictures you or your friends have posted about you, the political fight you started on twitter–you get the idea. Be smart. If you don’t want your mom to see it on the news, don’t put it out there.
3. Who is the top expert?
This is a trick question! I don’t believe in experts, gurus, geniuses, know-it-alls and “thought leaders.” (although that last term is getting at something important- there are people out there leading the way trying things out, but it doesn’t mean they always will be, or that you won’t be one.) I do believe in Elvis, Bigfoot, the smell of pine and cinnamon swirl bread. Smart folks you can follow are Kellye Crane, Connie Reece, Bryan Person, Jennifer Leggio, Tim Jackson, Angela Berardino and Charlene Kingston. That is just a few!
2. What is “the Cloud”?
Even the experts argue about this! My answer: all the data, applications, and communities that exist in servers outside your computer, or office even. You can find a lot of pros opining on CloudAve.com.
1. How do you stay on top of the rapid changes in Social Media?
I probably don’t. The trick is to narrow down your areas of interest. Note I said “areas.” I use a feed reader, google reader, to manage all the topics I want to follow.
Start by going through CloudAve.com, lifehacker.com, SocialMediaDIY Workshop, Google’s Official Blog and mashable.com. You can follow these for industry news, how-to and opinions by the “thought leaders” of the cyber-world.
UPDATE: Glaring omission above. The Quick-n-Dirty Podcast always keeps me on top of things! As do the other listeners as we exchange info in the chat.
How would you answer these? What are the top questions you would ask/get asked? Let me know in the comments below!
