What Are Social Media Tools?
Kinds of tools in social media
The primary objective of a social media manager is to attain out to potential customers and maintain in touch with the present. Consequently, it is essential to choose the appropriate media tool that actively engages the online and, most frequently, varied audience.
Social media tools are broadly classified into two groups primarily based on their objectives: social networking tools and content publishing tools.
Social network tools
These social media tools allow users to connect socially or professionally in websites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, My Space and so on. Social media marketers use these websites to promote their products and organizations.
• RSS-This is an abbreviation for Really Simple Syndication which a group of web feeds used to publish updated posts such as the recently uploaded blogs, videos, and news headlines. Examples of RSS are Bloglines, Google Reader, FeedBurner and Newsgator.
• Photo sharing-Utilizing this social media tool, a user can share photographs online with other virtual users. Examples of social media tools that enable photo sharing are Shutterfly, Picasa, and Flickr.
Content material publishing tools
The most common ways of sharing texts are through e-mails and newsletters, forums, wikis, blogs, podcasts, video and micro blogging.
• Blogs-These are notes and thoughts which are uploaded in specific websites for blogging. Examples of social media tools that enable blogging are Google+, Bloglines, WordPress, Typepad, and Technorati.
• Micro blogging-This is an additional form of blogging in which readers can post their comments often in response the original comment. Examples of micro blogging websites are Twitter, Pownce, and Tumblr.
• Podcasts-This is a digital audio which can be played back on an mp3 player. Example of podcast applications are Podcast Alley, Digital Podcast and Allpodcasts.com.
• Social news and bookmarking-In common parlance, this enables customers to save and share bookmarked web pages through the Internet. Websites such as Scrumptious.com, Reddit, Digg.com, and Stumble.com are examples of sources offering social news and bookmarking.
• Social networking-This is a well-liked tool that enables online users to network or connect with other customers and share photographs and posts. Examples of social networking websites are Facebook, Ning, and My Space.
• Video sharing-As the name suggests, a user can upload and share videos on-line. The tools also assistance viewers' comments that may be posted for each online video. YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler, and Blip.Tv are examples of video sharing websites.
• Wikis-This website that enables users to edit and add to content material that is available on-line. Examples for Wiki websites and Wiki farms are Wikipedia, Wetpaint, and Wikia.
The tools mentioned are only the most extensively used ones and the list is not comprehensive. Keep in mind, the objective of connecting with a virtual audience must be powerful by leveraging the correct social media tool.
