Social media

Social media is a phrase being tossed around a lot these days, but it can sometimes be difficult to answer the question of what is social media. If MySpace is a social media site, and Mag.nolia is a social media site, and Wikipedia is a social media site, then just what is social media?

What is Social Media?

The best way to define social media is to break it down. Media is an instrument on communication, like a newspaper or a radio, so social media would be a social instrument of communication.

In Web 2.0 terms, this would be a website that doesn't just give you information, but interacts with you while giving you that information. This interaction can be as simple as asking for your comments or letting you vote on an article, or it can be as complex asFlixster recommending movies to you based on the ratings of other people with similar interests.

Think of regular media as a one-way street where you can read a newspaper or listen to a report on television, but you have very limited ability to give your thoughts on the matter.

Social media, on the other hand, is a two-way street that gives you the ability to communicate too.

Key Principles for Social Media Managers:

• Social media is about conversations, community, connecting with the audience and building relationships. It is not just a broadcast channel or a sales and marketing tool.
• Authenticity, honesty and open dialogue are key.
• Social media not only allows you to hear what people say about you, but enables you to respond. Listen first, speak second.
• Be compelling, useful, relevant and engaging. Don’t be afraid to try new things, but think through your efforts before kicking them off. 
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  Top 15 Most Popular Social Networking Sites | February 2015

  Here are the top 15 Most Popular Social Networking Sites as derived from our eBizMBA Rank which is a continually updated average of each website's Alexa Global Traffic Rank, and U.S. Traffic Rank from both Compete and Quantcast."*#*" Denotes an estimate for sites with limited data.

  1 | Facebook
  3 - eBizMBA Rank | 900,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 3 - Compete Rank | 3 - Quantcast Rank | 2 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  2 | Twitter
  12 - eBizMBA Rank | 310,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 21 - Compete Rank | 8 - Quantcast Rank | 8 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  3 | LinkedIn
  18 - eBizMBA Rank | 255,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 25 - Compete Rank | 19 - Quantcast Rank | 9 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  4 | Pinterest
  22 - eBizMBA Rank | 250,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 27 - Compete Rank | 13 - Quantcast Rank | 26 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  5 | Google Plus+
  30 - eBizMBA Rank | 120,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | *32* - Compete Rank | *28*- Quantcast Rank | NA - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  6 | Tumblr
  34 - eBizMBA Rank | 110,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 55 - Compete Rank | *13* - Quantcast Rank | 34 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  7 | Instagram
  77 - eBizMBA Rank | 100,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 49 - Compete Rank | 145 - Quantcast Rank | 36 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  8 | VK
  97 - eBizMBA Rank | 80,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | *150* - Compete Rank |*120* - Quantcast Rank | 21 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  9 | Flickr
  123 - eBizMBA Rank | 65,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 138 - Compete Rank | 139 - Quantcast Rank | 91 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  10 | Vine
  581 - eBizMBA Rank | 42,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 237 - Compete Rank | 335 - Quantcast Rank | 1,172 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  11 | Meetup
  596 - eBizMBA Rank | 40,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 791 - Compete Rank | 701 - Quantcast Rank | 296 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  12 | Tagged
  702 - eBizMBA Rank | 38,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 1,082 - Compete Rank |615 - Quantcast Rank | 408 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  13 | Ask.fm
  779 - eBizMBA Rank | 37,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 2,046 - Compete Rank |113 - Quantcast Rank | 179 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  14 | MeetMe
  1,457 - eBizMBA Rank | 15,500,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 1,407 - Compete Rank |635 - Quantcast Rank | 2,328 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA

  15 | ClassMates
  1,487 - eBizMBA Rank | 15,000,000 - Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 153 - Compete Rank |*285* - Quantcast Rank | 4,022 - Alexa Rank | February 1, 2015.
  The Most Popular Social Networking Sites | eBizMBA