Wondering what’s hot on YouTube? YouTube provides this information with their YouTube Trends Dashboard and lets you compare one segment to another (both by most shared and most viewed). YouTube also curates content for newsworthy posts every weekday (this is aimed at bloggers and news outlets) on their YouTube Trends blog. YouTube has recognized that their content is often used in news reports and is taking steps to make it easier for publishers to find quality content. YouTube is also curating content in daily blog posts, divided into categories. MORE >>

don’t want to compare parenting to social media community development and management but I guess I just did. Folks Folks tend to have the zeal of the newly-converted when they first adopt social media into their communications, sales, and marketing plan; however, the truth of being a “parent” is that you’re responsible for the welfare of an entitled ingrate for not just the first 18-years but for life — and that can be dispiriting. They always say that the parents who put in all the boring, taken-for-granted time are the very best. MORE >>

As noted in 33 (of the) Best Social Media Guides, Tips and Resources of 2012 So Far , posted here a few months ago, social media marketing adoption is now so widespread there’s little further question of “if” or “when” in the minds of most marketers–but many “how” and “what” questions still remain. How can you make sure your company’s social media policy doesn’t run afoul of employment law? How can you measure (or can you measure) social media ROI ? Social Media Marketing Guides and Tips. MORE >>

They often don’t have the luxury of celebrity sponsorship or mass media ads such as Super Bowl commercials. Bolt Insurance Agency compiled an interesting infographic that compiles research and data from Constant Contact, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, e-Dialog, ExactTarget, and the U.S. This infographic outlines some of the tactics and observations that help small businesses advertise. Website Marketing Email Marketing Print Advertising Social Media Online Advertising Event Marketing What are the most used social media sites used by small businesses? MORE >>

The content can be created by you as you build out your social media and social network empire: Twitter , Facebook Pages, Google+ Business Pages, Pinterest , Tumblr, About.me, LinkedIn, Blogger, TypePad , WordPress.com, YouTube , Slideshare, or your own blog. The content can be created by your PR team or by a third party, be it a journalist, a blog, a press release, an interview, or as a resource to the mainstream media. And, to be honest, just hire a social media services company — authentic voice? And for some, it is. What are on them? Are they about you? MORE >>