These days, if you have something to say that you want people to hear, you need to say it on the internet, or more precisely, on the internet through a variety of social media channels.

Here’s a few numbers to demonstrate just how big social media has become:

74% of those 18-34 have a Facebook or MySpace account.

There are an estimated 272 million social media users worldwide.

Six of the ten top internet sites are social media sites.

There are more web users 55 and older than there are between 18 and 34.

88% of marketers use some sort of social media to market their business.

And these numbers are steadily growing.

Social media is the new media. Where consumers once filled their consumption needs by looking to TV, radio, newspapers and yellow pages, they are now, at higher and higher percentages, looking to Google, blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

So what does all this mean for today’s businesses? It means that no matter the size of the business, no matter how non-tech savvy one may believe their customer base to be, no matter how simple the product, those who are not taking full advantage of social media outlets are quickly becoming invisible to a significant portion of their potential customers and clients.

That’s why, in today’s market place, a publicist with social media and internet marketing experience is a must.

We’ve seen, through examples like Barack Obama’s recent presidential campaign, the awesome power attainable through a well run social media campaign. But, to take full advantage of this power, you first need to understand how social media works. Anyone can use social media, but not everyone knows how to use it correctly, and as with any type of public relations, a poorly run social media campaign can actually do more harm than good..

Anyone who is making use of social media (which should be everyone) in their PR and advertising needs to make sure their publicist understands the do’s and dont’s of Web 2.0. Things like knowing which social media outlets are the right outlets for the business’ specific market niche, knowing  proper social media etiquette and understanding what approaches actually attract positive attention in the social medium are vital to any social media campaign, and things that only a publicist with social media experience will be able to address.

So, like I said, if you want to get a message out there these days, whether that message is “Change You Can Believe In” or “Buy Here” social media is the medium to to use. If you actually want that message to have maximum impact, a well planned campaign run by a good publicist with social media and internet marketing experience is the way to use it.

Popularity: 89% [?]

• Hotel Reputation Management - Making Use Of Social Media Sites To Your Advantage Social media internet sites take up a crucial role in online hotel reputation management, allowing you to cultivate connections over the internet with possible customers.  Having your customers follow you on Twitter or Facebook is an excellent way of engaging positive reviewers as well as attracting potential guests researching future......
• What Social Media Isn’t I read a great article written by David Finch over at Social Media Explorer I aliken Davids example to what we are seeing from a lot of folks in the apartment industry. Posted by David Finch in June 12th, 2009 Social media is everywhere and for a lot of businesses......
• How To Grow Your Social Brand Via Social Media Social media has hit the internet scene and it is not anywhere for a very long time. A distinct method for reaching out to your target audience involves marketing your products and creating a personal brand. This article will get you to see that social media can be put to......
• Ideas For Creating Financially Rewarding Social Media Marketing Expert Services In 2009 best social media for businessCompanies are scrambling for assist! As a Virtual Assistant or On line social media marketing Professional, supplying these significantly-wanted companies will continue to keep you a number of actions forward in the exploding market place of on-line service suppliers. You can aid consumers navigate thru the......
• Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business A book by Erik Qualman From the back cover of the book... Praise for Socialnomics "It's obvious that Erik Qualman's passion is social media." -Dan Heath, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Made to Stick and Switch......