Wow! What a year it has been for the Thinktank Media team and the social media world. We have made some huge connections in 2009, from small business owners, personal brands to big brands and organisations, and it’s mostly down to ultilising social media as a way to connect and build our relationships. We want to thank EVERYONE who has part taken this year, you really have been the difference that makes the difference. Whether it be commenting on our blog posts, hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter, sending us thoughtful feedback emails or simply soaking up what we have to say on here!

THANK YOU.

Before we see the new year in with fresher than fresh content, I wanted to refresh your memories and fire up your motor neurons to what have been the hottest posts of 2009. We simply can’t wait to share and engage with you even more in 2010! It’s a year that will truly be hotter than the sun!

So here they are – the hottest posts or 2009! Would you agree?

Social media – ROI ! – some controversial comments and thoughts here from our readers. Definitely worth hearing what they have to say!

Our top 11 wordpress plugins – always a popular one, and we will be covering “our top wordpress plugins for 2010″ early Jan by Thinktank Media’s brainbox coder Matt Bannon.

How to use twitter lists in your business – this was a HOT post by Jade Craven and one that ranked highly due to it’s timely release and informative content. Things are moving on from this, however it’s a great refresher.

Never take short cuts within social media – ow boy! A lesson learnt. This is definitely something we all need to remember when playing in this social media world..well, life actually!

A great new tool from Google for small business – google business centre – have you heard about it?

Interesting Web 2.0 stats 2009 – ow how the figures have changed since I wrote this post, and watch them sky rocket next year!

Get super connected with twitter and facebook widgets – a handy post if you want to add widgets to your wordpress blog.

How to use Web 2.0 to shamelessly promote your business – Oww what a year – last year I had a space to promo the business whilst being in hospital and looks like this year I will do too.. pregnant belly space!

Well, there was just a sprinkling guys. Have a ripper new year and we can’t wait to thrive with you in 2010!

In the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy finds herself alone in a mysterious place, surrounded by people she has never met, in a land she has never explored. She is overwhelmed by the unknown culture of the Munchkins and struggles her way down the infamous yellow brick road, to find the Wizard of Oz.

During her journey, Dorothy meets several other ‘lost souls’ and soon discovers that she is not alone in her feelings of fright. She begins to see that there is an opportunity to learn from the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and even the heartless Lion. They help each other along the way and encourage one another to keep pushing forward toward their final destination in Emerald City.

In the end, Dorothy discovers that the Wizard is not as scary and intimidating as he seems.  She begins to fall in love with both her hometown of Kansas, as well as her new ‘home’ in the Land of Oz.  She is able to find comfort and happiness in both places, but for very different reasons.

Now why am I going on and on about the tale of Dorothy and Toto, you ask?

No, I am not feeling homesick and yearning for Middle America quite yet.  I am simply trying to make the point that there are no outcasts or strangers in the, sometimes daunting, Land of Social Media. Everyone has the ability to make connections and build meaningful relationships that can benefit the bottom line.

The trick to finding success in this strange existence is simply a matter of discovering a few friends along the way. Begin building relationships with like-minded individuals who can help point you in the right direction when you are feeling lost. Find someone who can mentor you, offer a few pointers, and if you are lucky someone to put you in contact with your own ‘wizard.’

Well, why do I need a wizard, you wonder?

Like any other town, culture or group there are followers and there are leaders. There are people who run the show and people who stand behind the curtain. Some who will have the ability to influence and others who are fine on the sidelines. This is no different in social media.

In order to achieve true success for your business you need to be able to weed out the clutter. Hundreds of thousands of blogs are published everyday; some with useful information and others that post meaningless banter. Find your area of interest and see who the big names are. Who is leading the conversation? What sites are asking the tough questions? Who is talking about your competitors? Better yet, who is influencing your customers?

Let’s face it, your customer’s are no longer relying on magazines and news media for their information and product reviews.  They are turning to blogger’s that they feel they have a personal relationship with – someone who they read posts from on a regular basis about things that interest them.

So, start following the conversation and be a part of the dialogue with the wizard’s.  Read along with their posts, videos and tweets and give your two-cents-worth. Lay the foundation for a meaningful relationship with the people behind the powerful sites. Once you discover this partnership, the true beauty of what social media can provide for your business comes alive.

If you network and provide useful information for the author’s, you will not be forgotten when an opening to promote your product or business comes along.  It is a way of integrating ‘old school’ communication with ‘new age’ public relations and advertising. In other words, social media can provide you with many opportunities for FREE and in CREDIBLE sources without ever having to leave the office!

So what are you waiting for?  Go find your wizard today!