If your small business is online and/or if you have teenagers, you probably have heard of MySpace, Twitter, or Facebook. Those sites fit into the genre of social media. So, what exactly is “social media?”

Wikipedia defines social media as:

Social media are primarily Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings.

“Sharing and discussing,” sounds like “collaboration and conversation.” These are the behaviors exhibited in learning and development. They also form the foundation of a sense of community.

It’s that “sense of community” that a business will want to develop with its customers. You will want to use these tools to reach out to your customers, listen to them, and respond appropriately.

Social media tools include applications like blogs, wikis, discussion forums, and other content sources. Most small businesses venture into the social media realm with a blog.

How do you use social media in your business?