At its core, social media works to help its users connect with one another as well as with the original publisher of content. Rather than simply delivering a message, socially-minded publishers work to create communities. They do this through the use of permalinks, blogs, RSS, podcasts and other tools. Most importantly, they do this because it benefits the community which they’ve created.

Is social media simply a “buzzword?” Rupert Murdoch doesn’t think so. He said, “It is difficult, indeed dangerous, to underestimate the huge changes this revolution will bring or the power of developing technologies to build and destroy - not just companies but whole countries.”

Forrester Research agrees, adding, “Social Computing is not a fad. Nor is it something that will pass you or your company by. Gradually, Social Computing will impact almost every role, at every kind of company, in all parts of the world.”

The reasons for such a bullish perspective are two-fold. First and foremost, social media works. It works for its publishers and its users. But also, it does so at very little cost (and therefore risk) to its users. In their seminal work, “What is Social Media?” the writers from Spannerworks said, “Today, the ever-lower costs of computers, digital cameras and high-speed internet access, combined with free or low-cost, easy to use editing software means that within minutes of deciding to do so anyone can have a live blog website up and running, that with a little reading and fiddling they can upload video or sound to it.”

As the sponsor of the first-ever Social Media Channel at Folio, NXTbook Media hopes to help you understand both the methods and rationale behind social media, show you ways in which other publishers are enjoying the benefits of social media and help you to find your way with connecting with more readers and engaging them for longer periods of time.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our little “community.” We hope you enjoy your stay!

Sincerely,

Michael Biggerstaff

CEO