Digital, Social, or New Media – Which One To Use?

Posted: February 24, 2011

Digital, social, and new media are all terms we hear on a daily basis when it comes to marketing and communications. It’s often wondered how are these terms defined, and how are they are applied to the functions of marketing and communications. Well, its time for answers.

[caption id="attachment_8334" align="alignright" width="150"]© Fotolia[/caption]Digital, social, and new media are all terms we hear on a daily basis when it comes to marketing and communications. It’s often wondered how are these terms defined, and how are they are applied to the functions of marketing and communications.

So, briefly, here is what Wikipedia has to say:

Digital media- "is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital (as opposed to analog) form. It can refer to the technical aspect of storage and transmission of information or to the "end product," such as digital video, augmented reality or digital art."

Social media-"are media for social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable communication techniques. Social media is the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogue...A common thread running through all definitions of social media is a blending of technology and social interaction for the co-creation of value."

New media- "is a broad term to encompass the amalgamation of traditional media such as film, images, music, spoken and written word, with the interactive power of computer and communications technology, computer-enabled consumer devices and most importantly the Internet."

Having definitions to work from allows organizations to understand these terms and how to apply them. Now, when having discussions about how can we better communicate with our audiences in a manner that is valuable to them, the response to the following question becomes easier to answer. Will we use be digital, social, or new media? Perhaps it will be all three.

What’s important to note is that having these terms defined within your organization contributes to more efficient communication on how you will use specific media for content delivery. We often see these terms used interchangeably and this can cause confusion as to what exactly should be executed. If the definitions shared on Wikipedia don’t fit for how your organization views digital, social, or new media, it’s important to identify and define them for your purposes.

In the end, the question of which type of media to use is answered simply: it's whichever works best to communicate your message to your audience.

Biz Tip Source: Talent Zoo

About the Author: Monique Terrell is the Sr. Manager of Social Media & Professional Networking at the College of American Pathologists. She is also owner/operator of Sparkle Internet Image Solutions, a social media marketing company. She has more than 15 years of Internet, eLearning, and website development experience. Her company provides virtual marketing services to both national and international organizations.

How do you define digital, social, and new media?