There are many misconceptions about what social media is (and what it isn’t).

Here is a list of some things that social media is NOT:

1. Free - social media is not free and do not let any one tell you differently.  Immediately you are thinking ‘How can that be true?”   Yes, the tools themselves are free.  You can create a Facebook account or post updates on Twitter for free.  But you MUST expend time and effort (and thus money) into using social media.   Becoming a respected member of the social media channel of choice will take time.
2. Advertising Online - just because you advertise on Google, Facebook or some other social media channel, it does not mean you are using social media properly.  Social media exists for people to converse and communicate in a two-way fashion and people clicking on an ad somewhere online is not communication.
3. For Computer Junkies Only - true that many social media participants are extremely wired, more and more people have capabilities to communicate on social media channels using their mobile phones.    Facebook alone brags to have more than 100 million users every day and they are certainly all not computer junkies.
4. For Young People Only - Facebook’s largest growing demographic in the last six months is users in the 35-54 age bracket with an astounding 276% growth rate.   The second largest growing age deomographic is those users 55+ at 176% growth.
5. About Immediate Returns - social media will not provide an immediate return.  You must take time to build your reputation and join in the conversation before people will trust you enough to use your product/service.   It takes time (just like search engine optimization).
6. Just for National Companies - social media can easily help your Tallahassee area business brand itself in new and unique ways and have success at it.   You can connect directly with your customers here in north Florida and south Georgia and alert them to specials, events or just connect.