What is Web 2.0 anyway?

I keep hearing this term "Web 2.0" but not many people can tell me what it is! Is it technology? Is it marketing? Or is it something else? I've even seen job postings for companies trying to hire a dedicated "Web 2.0 Marketing Strategist" for their marketing team. So what is a "Web 2.0 Marketing Strategist" anyway? And is that really a full-time job...?

Prior to my attendance at Rise Austin 2009 last week, I really wasn't sure how to answer these questions. The definition of "Web 2.0" seemed elusive and mysterious... and I certainly didn't know a single person working as a "Web 2.0 Marketing Strategist." Those days are over! I am committed to mastering this new world and bringing Web. 2.0 Strategic Marketing Services to my clients. Immersing myself in the technologies and sharing my new experiences with others is my first step.

Rise Austin 2009 featured a couple great sessions on Web 2.0 technologies... two of which I've included here in my blog. The first was about Twitter, presented by Ricardo Guerrero. The second was on Social Media, presented by Jennifer Navarrete. I also attended an info-packed Web 2.0 class at The University of Texas (www.informalclasses.org) last Saturday, led by Sebastian Brocher.

Let me start by sharing the definition of Web 2.0 that Sebastian gave our class:

"Web 2.0 is a group of economically, socially and technologically driven changes in attitudes, tools and applications that are allowing the Web to become the next platform for communication, collaboration, community and cumulative learning." ~ Tony Angrignon

I think there are two important words in this definition that can help us get our brains around this concept of Web 2.0. The first is "group".... Web 2.0 is a group of changes. That's why Web 2.0 is so hard to define! The term is an umbrella for so many things! The second important word is "platform"... Web 2.0 is a platform for sharing and learning. This, too, adds to the complexity of the definition because this platform is emerging and ever-changing.

Many people think Web 2.0 is Facebook or MySpace... Flickr or YouTube. Well, yes and no. Technically they are only small part of the "platform" that is Web 2.0. For more information from the master on this topic visit: http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html

Here's my best shot at sharing everything I understand now to be under the "umbrella" of Web 2.0. Please jump in to help me refine and add to this list!

• Blogs (blog engines: www.blogger.com, www.wordpress.com)
• Mini-Blogs (www.twitter.com)
• VideoBlogs
  
• Wikis (www.wikipedia.com)
  
• RSS
• Social Networks (www.facebook.com, www.myspace.com, www.linkedin.com, etc.)
• Social Media (www.youtube.com, www.slideshare.com, www.flickr.com)
  
• Podcasts
• VoIP (www.skype.com)
• Online Communities (www.ebay.com)
• Ratings (www.yelp.com)
• Recommendations
• Folksonomy
  
• Content Management Systems a.k.a. CMS
• Search Engine Optimization a.k.a SEO
  
• Widgets
• Online Advertising
• Viral Marketing
  

If the world of Web 2.0 is new to you, you're not alone. Do not fear! And do not be afraid to admit you need help. Successfully navigating this new world will take some new skills... but they're not hard to learn and I'm here to help.

If you'd like to get your feet wet in this new world, I'd recommend joining a social network like Facebook (www.facebook.com) and setting up your own blog (www.blogger.com or www.wordpress.com). They're both absolutely FREE and will help you start to experience the world of Web 2.0 for yourself. You might even find some old friends!

So stay tuned! I'll continue to go deeper and deeper into this topic of Web 2.0 over the next few weeks.

Til next time...

Laura