This document introduces social media and discusses its importance. It defines social media as online activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and sharing of words, pictures, videos and audio. It notes that a third of adults post weekly to social sites and 70% of adults engage with social media. It then discusses different types of social media like social networks, multimedia sharing, blogging and microblogging. The value of blogging is described as encouraging feedback, positioning your brand as an authority, and increasing your reach. A case study demonstrates how social media can be used for search engine optimization, engaging communities, and leadership.