It seems like everywhere you turn - mass media, blogs, conferences (like London’s Social Media Conference pictured here) all around the world - the story is consistent. Your business, large or small, needs to harness social media to ensure success in today’s wired world. A recent poll even suggests that almost half of the business leaders polled felt that social media was more important than mass media. Yet many of those same business leaders acknowledge that they are less familiar with social media than their customers. Are you ready to compete in this arena?

Social media, like YouTube and Facebook, have transitioned from being ignored by mass media, to being studied, to being glamorized and finally partnered with by mass media. The reality is clear in media studies, increasingly your customers can be reached online or mobile. Many of the fastest growing companies in the US are embracing this move - here are Ten Tips if you are behind the adoption curve.

1. Get on the bus. Your competitors are. In this race of word-of-mouth, don’t get left behind.
2. Listen to 20-somethings. The generation of social media early adopters and users. Tune in.
3. Start. Launch a YouTube channel, Twitter account and Facebook group for your product or business.
4. Blog. It’s easy. There are an estimated 8000 new blogs daily. Make sure you’re in the mix.
5. Learn. Follow resources like fundfindr.tv or join groups like the International Internet Marketing Association.
6. Aggregate. Set up an aggregator like Netvibes to ensure you get the blog news you need.
7. Listen. Ensure your customers can talk to you via comments, video, or chat not just phone and email.
8. Get Alerts. Google Alerts is a convenient, free way to pick up your brand in the blogosphere.
9. Collaborate. Contribute to or comment on other sites or blogs to drive exposure and collaboration.
10. Test. Use Google Analytics or hire pros to help you navigate the social media marketing arena.