In this edition of Web Enlightenment we'll be talking social media and how that has become a catch all phrase.

This newsletter focuses on giving you practical, interesting insights into how to successfully use technology as a tool to improve the way you do business. Bridging the gap between knowledge and understanding that all entrepreneurs have will help you make money online.

Please hit reply and tell me about social media you are engaged in that is in fact old school. I answer every email sent to me.

All the best,

Catch All Social Media

I have a secret for you that really isn't a secret at all - I am anti-social. I have a T-Shirt that reads "keep out of direct sunlight" and another one that says "You read my T-shirt, that's enough social interaction for one day". I love classic video games (Galaga rules) and the TV show Jeopardy, I am also a big fan of Star Trek.

Let's face it - I'm proud of it - I'm a geek.

So this means that when the phrase "Social Media" got popular in the last few years I didn't like it. I was sure it was a big waste of time and for many people indeed it is. I often pointed out that this "newcomer" web marketing technique was no where near as good as what was already established. I moaned every time I saw some Social Media "expert" lead Entrepreneurs down a path that was - not to put too fine a point on it - brain dead stupid. In 2008 - without hesitation - I would say that Social Media was a total waste that generated no ROI and you'd do better to buy a lottery ticket than hope that your message would "go viral".

But then....

Recently I was one of the presenters at a workshop given by the Maine Public Relations Council called Social Media: How to Apply the Latest and Greatest Social Networks to your PR Program -- and how to Measure the Impact!

So how did a guy like me - a confessed hater of Social Media - end up leading a presentation on that very thing?

The definition of the word social media has changed and it has become inclusive, today it is a catch all phrase.

If you are like me and you don't like the tweety pages or the mybooks or the faceyspace and you begrudgingly put up a profile at LinkedIn this is a something you need to know.

When I say that social media is now a catch all phrase what I mean is that today any interaction between your web efforts and a visitor is being called "Social Media".

Think about something like the video service YouTube , this site was launched in early 2005 - years before the words social media had any collective meaning. Yet today YouTube is frequently named as an important "Social Media" site.

Another thing that has existed for many years that is now being referred to as Social Media is Newsletters like this one. Even if all you did today was read this E-Newsletter you engaged in Social Media. :-)

Here is the bottom line - if you feel that "social media" is a stupid waste of time you need to know that (collectively) the definition of the word has changed. Solid proven tactics have now adopted a new label, but they work just as well as they always did.

My New Puppy Sam

As many of you know I have a fat male Pug named Frodo - he is 8 years old now and we are good buddies.

Recently I have added another dog to the family - a female pug named Sam. She was born March 28th, which makes her 9 and a half weeks old. It is kind of tricky to take a picture of her as she is moving all the time but here is my best attempt today.

Sam enjoys snuggling, yummy treats, and snoring loudy.