Social Media Optimization and Social Media Marketing

Oct
2

I realize that some have opted to call Social Media Optimization something different like Social Media Marketing and vice versa. Given that this is somewhat of a new concept, I understand the friendly debate. Based on a recent post from Rohit Bhargava, he states that SMO is simply “tweaking” a web site by “adding quick links for tagging, syndicating content through rss or submitting content to relevant sites”. Based on this definition, which I completely agree with, I believe that Social Media Optimization is a more appropriate definition.

However, I would also say that Social Media Marketing is somewhat of a different practice within the same space; where firms aggressively target the social media channels (like Myspace, Friendster, Hi5) by creating profiles (Nike, Cingular, Jack in the Box, Aquafina); and engaging in conversations with consumers in places where they frequent.

Technorati Tags: social media optimization, smo, socialmediaoptimization, social media, social media marketing

Author: Michael Brito

Michael Brito is a Vice President of Social Media at Edelman Digital. All thoughts and opinions on this blog are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of his employer or clients; neither past or present. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or subscribe to this blog.

Simon Wakeman

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the link.

Your distinction between SMM and SMO makes sense to me - in the same way that most marketers would know the difference between website marketing (using website as a marketing tool) and website optimisation (making a website as effective as possible).

cheers,
sw