Best Buy Co., Inc. recently advertised for a new online marketing job and listed Twitter as recommended experience, specifically requiring at least 250 followers. More companies and organizations are using social media to market their messages and services. A recent report shows that companies with the highest social networking scores had 18 percent higher revenue over the last year, while those who interacted least through social media saw their revenue drop 6 percent.

Social media networks include Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn to just name a few. Wikipedia defines social media as online content created by people using highly accessible and scalable publishing technologies and a shift in how people discover, read and share news, information and content. Social media is about networking and developing relationships with people in chosen fields of interest.

Social media can be used to help others who in turn can help you in promoting personal or professional endeavors. Social media takes time and involves offering valuable content and participating in conversations. The interaction itself creates the buzz for the subject matter, which if performed often and successfully can enhance a brand socially and online. It’s best to grow your network slowly and consider whom you want to target and how to find these people and/or businesses/organizations.

Social media has become so popular that the U.S. government has recognized its power. President Barack Obama made headlines this weekend after achieving another of many firsts: for the first time, the White House announced an upcoming full news conference through social networking Web site Twitter. The White House also has a blog, a Facebook and MySpace page, and uses YouTube and Flickr.

Millions of people are now embracing social media, however there are still millions more that avoid it altogether. Those who decide not to venture into this social phenomenon may find themselves falling behind socially and professional and having a tough time catching up to the masses. Don't be left behind.