2008-02-19 16:22:55 - Social media and social networking sites are one sided when it comes to who is making the money. The need for Web 2.0 monetization tools is top of mind in 2008.

Everywhere you look, you'll see 'My'Space this-, 'You'Tube that- to give users the illusion of being in control when in fact, some are worried that companies like CNN, who just launched iReport.com, are really just using social media as a way to exploit users. iReporters as they refer to them as, are not truly independent by some standards. Are you

truly independent if you don't own the content, or the space the content resides; and if you're not being compensated, some might say that we are stupid or naïve? Is there a social media platform that doesn't want to do this?

Just when it looked like we can get away from the few little pennies Google so graciously throws our way with their AdSense program; we're asked to upload content on sites like iReport.com for free-., oh- and you will like it by god!!

It takes the concept of 'user controlled' or 'user generated' content to another level. It's more like these companies are using us then giving us user control.

The problem is, that media companies have so characteristically miscalculated once again, the intelligence of this market and the advancements in technology, which is going to help produce very successful individuals on the Internet. It's been predicted that word of mouth advertising will increase 33% just this year alone.

Influential Bloggers, Live Lifecasting sites, and new web 2.0 technologies may be used to create virtual media companies. You're starting to see individuals leveraging their popularity to help promote their careers such as Jody Gnant, who is an aspiring singer songwriter out of Phoenix. These very same individuals are using existing technology and a little organization to become their own media mogul in their own right, by simply banding together to get advertisers to invest in them.

There are several blog publishing tools that appear to have answered the call in terms of providing a user friendly tool and allowing you to have almost complete control, which of course includes allowing you to put your content on your own domain name. One of these tools is called Moguling.com

Searchmarketing, LLC develops web publishing and online marketing tools that simplify search engine optimization and automate the online marketing process through social media and blog marketing. This means faster and better search engine rankings with less cost and effort. Searchmarketing, LLC is a privately held company in Phoenix Arizona. To learn more please go to www.Moguling.com.