A Short Introduction to New Media

New media isn't new.  The internet's been around for years but at a more fundamental level it isn't new because it's just the latest in a line of ways that humans have found to talk to each other and tell stories.

The internet is about communication, conversation, story telling, just talking to each other.  The biggest problem organisations have in trying to harness the power of the internet is they forget the basic lesson. People – customers, stakeholders, clients whatever – want to talk with you and the internet lets them do it.

Notice that this is talk with you not be talked at by you.  The internet isn't really a medium in the sense of TV or radio or even publishing.  It's a communications network more akin to the phone lines.  It's many to many not one to many.

The internet offered limitless space, cheap publishing and the opportunity to talk to each other.  People have embraced email and fell in love with text messaging.  They found new ways to talk, tell stories and communicate.

We're just rediscovering that basic truth with people using their blogs and comments on other people's to develop conversations and relationships.  They're using their video cameras and GarageBand to create their own film and music and then, most importantly sharing and remixing that content.  It's no longer a case of 'my content, come and see', it's 'my content is out there, come and share'.

We need to see the potential in using the network to work with people, join in their conversations and work together on the stories that get our issues talked about.

Have a go with blogs, podcasting, sound, imagery and photos. 

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