Social media are interactive communication technologies which enable the generation or sharing/ exchange of information, opinions, work interests, and various other types of expression through social networks and virtual communities. Social Media websites allow users to form or join user groups, forums, or online communities based on common interests and hobbies. Social media websites provide their users with the ability to share user-created content, such as photos, videos, games, applications, and user-generated news and articles. The most popular social media websites include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Foursquare. Users can invite others to their friends list, create profile pages, share files, vote on topics, and search for and receive updates about different items.

Social media can be grouped into several categories, including entertainment, information technology, networking, and social interaction. Entertainment uses the media to promote movies, television shows, video games, music albums, and game consoles. Information technology uses it to share information about software, hardware, Internet, email, blogs, and the Web. Networking uses it to find, connect, and to discuss business with others who share similar interests.

Social networking allows anyone to become an expert in his or her niche. For example, if an individual has created a website about flipboards, he can find other individuals who share his or her interest and connect with them on social media sites like clipboard. He can also leave comments on other individuals’ pages, send private messages, comment on news stories, or upload pictures and videos of his latest gadgets or innovations.

YouTube is one of the most popular and well-known social media websites. It is a video sharing website where millions of people can post videos of their everyday lives. The website has created so much hype because it allows the audience to create videos using a camera that can be accessed by the host. Individuals can upload as many videos as they want while others watch them. Via RSS, these videos can also be syndicated by other individuals and viewed through the Facebook interface or through a blog entry.

Blogs have the capacity to reach out to millions of individuals. They can be shared through free webinar platforms such as Wealthy Affiliate and DailyMotion. A blog, when shared through social media networks, is easier for people to relate to since they can relate to the daily frustrations and joys of living an ordinary life. Social networks offer forums that can provide a venue for individuals to interact with one another. Social media networks such as Facebook, MySpace, and twitter are used to promote marketing campaigns and free webinar campaigns.

There are several other ways to use media to market online. In addition to the traditional forms of media such as television, radio, and print, people can use social networking to access new opportunities. Social media networks offer a forum for individuals to voice their opinions and share personal stories. Through social networking, businesses can use the power of video hosting services and audio streaming services to market their products and services.