What is social media? That can be a tough question to answer. Lately I have been using the metaphor of email to describe it.

Not all email is the same. Some examples:

• Messages from friends
• SPAM/Unsolicited
• Newsletters
• Professional 

In each context the tone, subject and your willingness to read and interact depend on the type of email it is.

The same is true for social media:

• Tweets about lunch
• Check-in by your friend at the bar you are sitting in
• Invitations to Farmville
• @reply from a spammer
• Killer cat blog post

Social media is a communication tool. As in email, think about your audience and the best way to communicate with them. 

If you are not sure what to do, then sign up and listen for a while. When you feel comfortable start talking. 

Be sincere. Care about your audience. Be passionate about what you are sharing. 

When email started it was hard to explain. Now it is so common that I use it to explain other technologies. One day social media will be as common as email.

But then you will need to explain the purpose of augmented reality toasters.