To be sure, some agencies and companies get it, and do an effective job integrating social media and PR efforts. In this example, a press release is distributed online, posted to the company’s Facebook and Twitter updates, and used to create a social media release (using a tool such as PitchEngine ). For SEO and traffic purposes, the press release and social media release link back to the company’s website/blog. The social media release also links back to the company’s LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. Smart companies and agencies are putting this together. MORE >>

Ways B2B Companies Can Use Location Based Services by Social Media B2B. He lists nine steps its imperative for companies to take in order to “build enough social karma (yes, I said karma) to facilitate things like guest posting opportunities, retweets, likes, etc.&#. In just one example of collaboration across divisions and geographic boundaries, the company saved $250,000. NLRB Says Companies Can Not Discipline Workers For Posts in Social Media by iMedia Connection. Companies using social media are making more money, says McKinsey by The Wall. But 44.24 MORE >>

Monitor social media discussions of your company or product in real time? Sysomos has an impressive blue chip customer list and the company’s recent acquisition by Marketwire gives it solid brand and investment backing. Looking for an easy way to create a cool graphical email signature with trackable interactive buttons? Supplement your email list with your contacts’ social network info? Find out if the username or vanity URL you want is still available across dozens of social sites? Create video emails? Create animations? Promote events through social media? Flowtown. MORE >>

Noting that “Smart and savvy companies have positioned themselves as authoritative experts and trusted sources of information by creating their own content,&# Gordon Plutsky outlines a six-step process for consistently connecting with prospects through relevant, compelling content. Mark Price summarizes a Fast Company case study on how restaurant chain Houlihan’s engaged their best customers through some exclusive social media programs to increase sales and profits, and what other social media marketers can learn from the chain’s experience. by Kuno Creative. MORE >>

Because social media is fundamentally about conversations, the individual(s) behind your social media activities is often perceived as the public face of your company. Thoughtful companies keep their SEO efforts local (to avoid link-spamming , for example) and after evaluating all of the costs, many are even moving call centers back onshore. And it’s certainly true that there are situations where a company has to be somewhat cautious about its social media participation and content (another reason to keep myths #1 and #5 in mind). Social media is only for the young. MORE >>