Defining “social media” has been a hot topic for some time now. There have been almost as many different definitions for social media as there are people following me on twitter.

One of the best showed up in my RSS reader today and it is from a new blog to me called, A New Marketing The post is called, “a definitive explanation of social media” Matt’s definition goes like this, “Social Media is any new web tool[] or technology that connect[s] people.” Simple, yet right to the point.

What I also like about this explanation is the fact it includes the three methods social media is using to create and connect.

1. Socially Created Content
2. Socially Highlighted Content
3. Social Networking

When I am asked how I define twitter or what it is, I usually give them an answer I actually have on a sticky note on one of my computer displays. Twitter is a way of interacting and learning from those you follow and who follow you. Which fits with the premise that social media is a way to connect. If you take a look at the great graphics provided by A New Marketing you will see how many of the web tools we use overlap in this social media explanation.

How does the “definitive explanation of social media” fit with your own definition? Leave your comments and lets keep the conversation going.