A little advice about social media

If you're not using social media, should you be? How should you start? Here's advice from people who know and use social media.

"I think people should definitely ask themselves, 'What is it I want to do and why do I want to do it?'"

-- Joe Sokohl, user experience consultant, writer, designer and information architect

"There are so many tools out there, there's no excuse to use it badly."

--Kira Alexandra Siddall, business development manager, Siddall Inc., speaking of the online resources available on the best ways to use Twitter, Facebook and other services.

"Everyone gets so wrapped up and intimidated by the technology . . . they're just sitting and spinning. The biggest thing is start and just immerse yourself in it."

--Todd Feldman, principal consultant, TF Digital.

"A lot of people will tell you quite emotionally, with great power and conviction, what a time-waste [Twitter] is and why they'll never use it. I say, You may be right, but play with it. You may find its a waste of time, or you may find there's something there . . . that's meaningful."

--Mark Avnet, professor and head of the Creative Technology track at VCU Brandcenter.

"You have to make sure whatever you say or post out there is something you potentially want the world to see because the world is seeing it."

--Jon Newman, co-founder, The Hodges Partnership