Social media can take many different forms, including Internet forums, weblogs, wikis, podcasts, pictures and video. Technologies include: blogs, picture-sharing, vlogs, wall-postings, email, instant messaging, music-sharing, crowdsourcing, and voice over IP, to name a few. This terrific exploration of Social Media shows how organizations are communicating directly with important constituents. And it's done with real word examples, not theory. In the past, marketers could try all kinds of expensive advertising to get the word out to new buyers, with little to show for the investment. These are companies where the existing customers love the products, but the media doesn't seem to care. Many people are saying that big budget marketing and PR programs just aren't working anymore so they are asking: "How do you get noticed in a crowded marketplace?" This book shows the power of online thought leadership and communicating to people directly without the advertising and media filter. Imagine if people learn about you on the Web first, so when they decide to contact you, the sale is already partly done, That's the power of online thought leadership. This book shows you how to harness the power the Web.