One of the questions I get asked is "Where do I start to get involved in social media?" I blogged about this question specific to Twitter, but there are many different avenues for social media.

The first step is deciding what your strategy is for using social media. What is your "end in mind" or the results you want to achieve for your business?

Second, how do you plan to support this initiative? How much time can/will you or someone you hire devote to it?

Third, create realistic expectations and tie your social media strategy into your overall business strategy, marketing strategy and specifically your Web strategy.

Then get educated on some of the social media tools. Currently, some of the most popular are Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Digg, LinkedIn and YouTube. However, there are more out there than you think.

You can check your desired username (business name) at www.checkusernames.com

Social media is the new buzz on the Web. For entrepreneurs looking to connect with other entrepreneurs, Mashable, The Social Media Guide, posted an article on the Top 10 Social Networks for Entrepreneurs.

If you are running your own business or aspire to start your own business, this is a great list of social networking sites for entrepreneurs.

As a small business owner, I know the challenges of wearing several different hats during the course of the day. I also run the business using Apple computers, which many in the business world would think absurd. But I enjoy using my Macs and they are pretty much trouble free. I can count on them to work at all times.

I also use an iPhone for email, calendaring, taking notes, and recording important thoughts, such as ideas for blog entries. I came across an article in Inc magazine about iPhone apps for business and thought I'd share it. While I admit they don't fall into my daily use on my iPhone, they might come in handy for other small business owners using Apple computers for their business.

I've been using social media tools for several years now. My most recent education has come with Twitter. I've been using the tool Twitter for about 5 months now. Over the past 2 months, I've gotten a fairly good handle on what it can be used for and how to use it.

I've also found myself enamored and addicted to Twitter. I have been using Tweetdeck on my desktop and as my followers grow, the people I'm following grows as well. I just glanced over at my All Friends tweets this morning, they are at 493. Can I read all those? No way. I've also created groups, but those are starting to run over the rim as well.

I read a great blog entry today called How to Boost your Social Media Productivity - A Guide for Busy People. Even the list of how to optimize your Twitter experience is a bit overwhelming. But take it easy and just pick a few to start with. I read Tim Ferriss' entry on How to use Twitter without Twitter owning you - 5 tips and I plan on implementing his suggestions.

I think I'm going to have to give up Tweetdeck for now, unless I can figure out a more productive use for it.

I read Walt Mossberg's review on his First Impressions of the Kindle on Apple's iPhone, and so I thought I'd give it a try. Couple of tips:

1. You need an Amazon.com account if you don't have one. I already had an account.
2. If you are like myself and have never used a Kindle, you will be wondering what to do next after you download the Kindle app on your iPhone.
3. I did notice a little icon on the sign in page that says you can download a sample to view, but after I used my Amazon login, I couldn't figure out how to look at a sample.
4. You actually have to login to Amazon's Kindle site using Safari on your iPhone. Make sure you login again... on the Web
5. I searched Kindle to try and find a sample chapter to check out on my iPhone. I don't want to buy a book without actually seeing how this deal works and looks first. It was a hassle, I spent 10 minutes trying to figure it out. Then a box on the right side has a download sample chapter with the option to send to my iPhone. Now we are getting somewhere. Turns out, ANY BOOK that you are interested in you can download a sample portion of. I had no clue.
6. I got a sample download of Andy Sernovitz's book Word of Mouth Marketing (the older version) and was able to see how it would look on the iPhone. Let's just say I was a bit disappointed that I could not rotate the view to horizontal (landscape view). I found myself reading about 30 words and then having to flip the page. Of course I can shrink the text and get about 45 words, but still. It's a bit of a hassle.

I think the move by Amazon is brilliant, but it's going to take some work to get it right. But it is a start and it does get the job done.

The article in MacLife called "50 Things Every Mac Geek Should Know" has some great information and tips on using your Mac.

This is great information on how a blog can grow your business. Check out this SlideShare Presentation: