The difference between social networking, social media, and Web 2.0

This may seem like fairly useless information, but it may help those of you who are confused about the difference between social networking, social media and Web 2.0. Plus, I like making charts. So here goes...

Social networking is the act of connecting with others online. It can happen via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, etc.., but it simply describes the act of engaging in a dialogue in a web-based forum. And the places where those conversations happen are often called...

Social media sites, which simply facilitate the act of social networking. However, social media sites have capabilities that go well beyond social networking. For example, YouTube is primarily a video sharing site, but the comments section is a form of social networking. And just as social networking is a subset of social media, social media is a subset of...

Web 2.0, which represents a new approach to web design and content that encourages interaction. As Mark Cuban (http://blogmaverick.com/2008/03/29/if-the-news-is-important-it-will-find-me/) might say, Web 2.0 is lean forward, not lean back. And lean forward means participating not just via social networking or through social media sites, but by a wide variety of user-generated content.

If you want to hear more about the ways in which social networking and social media are changing the web, join me at one of these events next week. If it makes it any more enticing, I promise more fancy charts. I hope to see you there!

“Social Networking for Real Estate Professionals”
Fort Wayne Area Association of REALTORS®
Wednesday, Aug. 12, noon – 1 p.m.
3403 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne
For more information, call (260) 426-4700.

“Can You Hear Me Now? How Social Networking Is Transforming Communication—and Your Business”
Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne
Thursday, Aug. 13, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Club Soda (upstairs), 232 E. Superior Street, Fort Wayne
Click here to register online or call (260) 469-3907.


--Anthony J.