Social Media and Social Networking: What's the Difference?

Over the years in my day to day interactions, I often find myself explaining the difference between "Social Media" and "Social Networking".  The phrases are haphazardly tossed around and can be a dead giveaway to the level of understanding one might have where all this is concerned.

   

For those who may not know... I'm a handgun enthusiast.  I wouldn't consider myself a handgun expert, however, I cringe while in the company of other self-proclaimed "handgun experts" who, while discussing firearms, make comments such as: "I emptied my clip into that target", or "I have to go reload my clip".  Um... hmm... not impressed.  Even I know the proper term is "magazine".  May not seem like a big deal... but it quickly helps define the level of "expertise".  The same goes for this topic.

   

And no... I'm not the first person to write about this... and I won't be the last.   It's important to note that I'm addressing the two terms as they are most often used in business and by small business owners today.  One can, and rightfully so, suggest that there's a distinction between "Social Networking" and "Business Networking",  or recognize that "Social Networking" is a practice both online AND offline, however, as the "101 Guy", and a huge advocate of "baby steps" (the whole crawl before you walk thing) I find that defining these terms AS THEY ARE COMMONLY BEING USED IN BUSINESS TODAY is an important first step as I work with Chamber of Commerce organizations and small businesses to help them move forward. 

   

The easiest way to understand the difference is to take a quick look at the definitions of the words involved. (Anyone wanting to do this can go to dictionary.com to find the same thing)

• Social: pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations: a social club, tending to form cooperative and interdependent relationships.
      
• Media: the means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, and magazines, that reach or influence people widely.
   
• Networking: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.

So... the "101" definitions for "Social Media" and "Social Networking" in my own words would be:

• Social Media: The TOOLS, or "means of communication" allowing one to broadcast, reach and influence people widely.  These tools would include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogs, YouTube, Foursquare, etc... as these tools "reach or influence people widely".
   
  Now... I'll probably catch some flack for including "LinkedIn" in the list above, however, for puposes of distinction between "social media" and "social networking"... as "LinkedIn" DOES allow one to network... I consider it to be a "tool".
   
• Social Networking: The USE of "social media tools" to interact and communicate directly with people you're already connected with or wish to be connected with.

You know... as a society we tend to adapt and adjust with the times.  How many words and phrases meant one thing 20 years ago... and have now been accepted across the board to mean something completely different today?

   

To me, "social media" and "social networking" fall in that category.  They've become universally accepted as business terms.  Are there alternatives?  Some out there in the business (myself included) are using the term "Business Social Media" to describe the services they provide... which is really more appropriate.  However, at this stage, I think it's the tomato... tomato (yeah... that last one is "tom-ahh-to") thing.  I think too many businesses and organizations already have "social media" and "social networking" ingrained in their minds, see those as something they need embrace for their business, and that's the way it will remain as we move forward.

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