Social Media vs Social Networking
The definition of social media is the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Social networking, on the other hand, is a social structure with people who are joined by a common interest.
Of course, at this point, the definition of social media seems like an oversimplification. In the last several years, technology has brought us very far from where we started and social media almost seems like it is an entirely different animal. Social media and social networking have been instrumental in many major events around the world. It is fair to say that social networking is a subcategory of social media. Many people think that social media and social networking are one and the same and therefore can be used interchangeably. That is a misconception. It is a good idea to look at the differences between the two here and walk away with a clear understanding of the differences.
Social networking
The main purpose of social networking is to connect with other people. There are other end results that come from those connections on many occasions, such as revenue, for example. Some people argue that social networking came before social media and some others believe that it was the other way around. The foundation of social networking is basically the human side. You fill in your profiles on social media channels and people interact with you based on the personal details that they read about you. Of course, you can do social networking for work or for pleasure. Many strong relationships exist as a result of social networking online. Social networking is about mutual communication.
Social media
If you consider what you understood media to be before the Internet existed, it was about television, newspapers, magazines, etc. Once media became available through the World Wide Web, the media was no longer static. Tremendous interactivity capabilities became available to everyone and it felt much more like a personal, one-on-one relationship than anything else. At the heart of social media are relationships, which is in common with social networking. Social media is a very broad term and really encompasses several different types of media, such as videos, blogs, etc. Social media is a place where you can transmit information to other people. Social media is a vehicle for communication. Social media lets everyone share content that other people can share, in turn, with their online connections. You create the buzz through social media.
What social media and social networking have in common
One thing that social media and social networking have in common is that they both depend on viral marketing to become truly successful. If the content goes viral, more and more people will be paying attention and the more online traffic you have, the better your chances are of increasing your business. A simple way to look at the basic difference between social media and social networking is that social media helps people to make the connection and social networking enhances that connection. People get together because they have common interests, passions, and causes and they continue to strengthen their relationships as they get to know each other through interaction over time.
Conclusion
It is very important to understand that social media and social networking are not one and the same but that they are both of critical importance to your business and you should take full advantage of both for the greater success of your business.
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Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Brand & Communications Management
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
i like your definitions and the distinction made.
I guess it will take some time for the definition of social media to settle down, to assume definitive / descriptive form, as the digital medium, social or otherwise, is barely taking shape.
BTW, If you ask people involved with social networking in the offline world to define the difference, their view is more likely along the lines of "social waste of time" is what we do here:-)
Posted by Marco
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Group: Freelance Editing Network
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
I may be wrong, but I see things in a very simple way: social media (noun) is the 'tool' and social networking (verb) is what you do with that tool, and how you use it. The difference between social media and social networking is the difference between a car and driving.. no?
Posted by Dina
Good definitions there. I still think social media is somewhat unclear for some people. Would you say it's a medium you can use for social interaction on internet -"On internet" being the key phrase? Otherwise it could be anything you can write or carve words onto, like a piece of paper or wood. Or any communication tool, like a phone or megaphone. =D All which are possible potential mediums for social interaction.
I see things a lot like Dina does. Social media is the tool and social networking is one way to use the tool. It's just like offline business networking groups – the groups themselves are the tools and the networking is how you use them. This is a great post and a great distinction. It's true that we tend to use the terms interchangeably and I'm not sure that many people consider the differences.
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Consultants Network | North America
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Good points Michael. A friend recently went to a consultants meeting and was asked what was her first form of social media. Her reply …. "the telephone".
Posted by Jennifer
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Group: Harvard Business Review – Reader's Forum
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
The interesting part is both social media and social networking have the word "SOCIAL" but the context of it in both the words is quite different. Social networking is " what " whereas social media is "how". Social network helps in discussing coming out with better solutions whereas how to do it is answered by social media.
Posted by Shubhangi
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Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Looks like an idea that could produce many doctoral theses.
Definitions are something that science requires a lot.
it is time anyway that there is more regognition of social media and social networking in academics and science.
There are quite a few practitioners around by now but few academics yet.
Posted by Ingo
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
looks like an idea that could produce many doctoral theses
definitions are something that science requires a lot
it is time anyway that there is more regognition of social media and social networking
in academics and science
there are quite a few practitioners around by now but few academics yet
The simplest and most easiest way to define the difference, is not to understand the differecne but to see how they come together: An orange would represent the network, the connective juices within the orange would represent the media.
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Totally agree that the internet changed the game. Interesting how some people are so good at blending social media with social networking…. synergistic!
Posted by Margo
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Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
I like this post – thanks for sharing. From my perspective I see Social Media as the enabler to Social Networking.
Posted by Kevin
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Some good points. I would put forward that social networking is a TYPE of social media. Therefore, social networking is necessarily social media, but social media isn't necessarily social networking.
I recently did a training session on this. There are many different forms of social media, which at its hard, is media that allows for interactive (as you say) two-way communication between the sender and receiver. It often blurs the lines between sender and receiver.
Other types of social media could include – blogs, micro-blogs, social news, social bookmarking, and many others.
Social networking is a type of social media which, as you also say, is focused on meeting and connecting with people.
Posted by Colin
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Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Great Simplification. Social Media is a marketing form as part of an integrated marketing strategy. Social Networking is an initiative as part of that form. Strategy of use is based upon the key objectives determined in the Marketing Plan. Traditional approach blending with modern tools. Love the touchpoint opportunities that result.
Posted by tafani
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Group: Social Media Plus
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading the explanations – very clear and to the point.
Posted by Megan
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Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Indeed, the article effortlessly outlines the distinct difference between social media and social networking..
Posted by A. Michelle
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Group: B2B Social Media
Discussion: Social Media Usage Across Cultures
And what are the biggest challenges for global social media programmes in your opinion?
Posted by Samantha
Samantha,
We addressed your question in several blog article on our blog at https://www.compukol.com/blog/. I recommend you search our articles buy selecting “social media” or “social media marketing” from the tags.
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Intelligently defined Social Media & Social Networking. Best co-relation!!!!
It's an eye opener. Thank you Michael.
Posted by rajni
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Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
I think we may be giving Social Media too broad of a definition here. Media is created to inform, entertain, or move us in some way. The interaction (or social aspect) comes from the network. If somebody posts a blog or discussion thread and no one responds, is it Social Media, or just Media that is online?
Posted by Andy
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Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
For me, social networking is the behaviour and social media is the vehicle which facilitates this. The beauty of both, and why they are so prevalent in my professional life, is that they are both open to being used and adapted to suit individual requirements. In the course of a day I will use LinkedIn to communicate with clients (private message), share information (network updates), collate business information (news stream), contribute to discussions (groups) and 'follow-up network' with those I have met at real-time events (connections). While for some the two may be separate, for me they work as two halves of the same whole. What I think is interesting is that the terminology is already being 'shortened' and we are seeing people talk of being 'social' and of having a 'social strategy' – an overarching term which incorporates both networking and media.
Posted by Desiree
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Group: A Solo Business – Solopreneurs And Business Owners
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
This makes lots of sense. I especially liked the summary, "social media helps people to make the connection and social networking enhances that connection."
Posted by Sandee
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Group: Social Media Marketing
Discussion: Social Media vs Social Networking
Thanks for the article. I agree that they're not the same, but the use of social media enables social networking. It's a "hand and glove" relationship.
Posted by Janis