There are many reasons your social media strategy can fail in 2010. It doesn’t matter how mainstream social media is without a plan you're likely to fail. This article outlines the top five reasons you can fail; no top down support, no content strategy, no consistency, too much selling, not being human.

Social media marketing and the businesses that utilize it have become more sophisticated. More small businesses are beginning to understand how to best leverage online tools to build a community and recognize that engagement and interaction are the foundations of social marketing, but most don’t know what’s next.

Journalist Chris Anderson believes that businesses can profit by giving their material away on the Internet. His new book Free: The Future of a Radical Price explains how "free" can become a marketing technique, helping businesses gain credibility in an economy that increasingly values reputation.

From the buzz around backyard gardening and DIY culture to the increasing popularity of coupons, ‘staycations' and fuel efficiency, it's clear that broke is the new black.