20 Speeches by Leading Social Media Gurus

This collection of speeches by leading social media gurus features tips from a wide range of experts in the industry including the founders of the most popular social networking websites as well as online marketers.

An underlying theme in all of the speeches is that, whether individuals like it or not, social media isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. Its presence continues to infiltrate a wide variety of industries and professions. From crowdsourcing business ideas, to advertising, to literally starting political revolutions and monitoring consumer behavior, social media is a tool no business or brand can afford to ignore.

Mashable’s Pete Cashmore touches on the ways social media creates democracy and Michael Anti’s speech explains how social media in China—although accessed through different networks—is empowering its citizens to express themselves. Clay Shirky, who is featured twice, demonstrates how social media is putting oppressed individuals on the same level of playing field as their dictators.

Each of the social media gurus featured here offers invaluable tips about the importance of knowing, understanding and using social media today.