Learning the Lingo

Blogs: A blog is a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks provided by the writer, known as the blogger. Blogs give voice to an organization, boost search engine optimization and can help cross promote Web sites.

Facebook: A site that helps you to share and connect with people in your life. Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. Millions of people use Facebook everyday to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet. Once you set up a personal page, there is a “create a page for my business” link that allows you to create a new Facebook Fan page. www.facebook.com.

LinkedIn: A professional network of more than 60 million professionals that connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful. LinkedIn exists to help you make better use of your professional network and help the people you trust in return. www.linkedin.com.

Twitter: For friends, family and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Answers need to be 140 characters or less. www.twitter.com.

YouTube: The premier destination to watch and share original videos worldwide through a Web experience. YouTube allows people to easily upload and share video clips on www.YouTube.com and across the Internet through websites, mobile devices, blogs, and email.

Source: Andy Kohler, marketing representative for Unisource Program Administrators, an MGA specializing in workers compensation insurance. Kohler and his company are offering a complimentary “Social Media Guide for Independent Agents.” E-mail Andy.Kohler@UnisourcePA.com for a copy.