A Note from the Editor

This issue of intercom is focused on social media and social networking tools for technical communicators.

Meredith Singleton and Lisa Meloncon’s cover article provides readers with a social media primer, describing how technical communicators can be seen as a trusted authority for a company’s social media strategy and communications. They explain that selecting the appropriate employee is key to the strategy, because those who use social media must convince others that their intentions are genuine, and that they have the knowledge and expertise in a specific area or industry by providing valuable and accurate information on an ongoing basis, often without an overt marketing angle. Technical communicators are especially good at building trusting relationships and communications with users and, in turn, they become thought leaders and value providers for their companies.

Like the rest of the business world, the STC office and Board have also been working diligently at a social media strategy for the Society. We currently have a presence on social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Foursquare. Several STC staff members have social networking accounts, and we’ve recently launched the MySTC Network area of the STC website. There was also a lot of social networking activity at this year’s Summit. Here’s a detailed list of all the places you can find and network with technical communicators: