What is social media?

2Niki Doyle • 11th Jun 2010 • Social Media • Mashable

Since I carry around the lofty title of social media editor at The Huntsville Times, I frequently find myself explaining the concept of social media to the not-so-web-savvy folks in the community.

For that reason, I love the fact that social media powerhouse Mashable took on the task of defining social media in honor of Social Media Day, which is coming up on June 30. The Web-based publication asked its readers to define social media in 140 characters or less (to fit the Twitter limit).

This is my favorite, from Jonny Rose: “Ask not what the Internet can do for you, but what you can do with other Internet users.”

In terms of the best definition related to my job, and I have to say that Corina Newby got the closest: “Social Media is on-demand, real time interaction, that uses technology to enable genuine engagement with others around media vs. simply sharing data with them.”

Honestly, though, you have to combine all 20 answers featured on Mashable to even come close to the true scope of social media. Read the full list from Mashable.