WISM Part 2 – Why Should I Care?

Why Should I Care?
We learned is Part 1 what Social Media is. You probably want to know why you should even care that it exists. You may have a successful business as it is and think you don’t need anything else. Well, get ready, because you haven’t seen anything yet!

3 out of 4 Americans use Social TechnologyTwo-thirds of the global population visit Social Networking Sites

That’s a humongous amount of people. Now don’t make the mistake of reading those two statistics as the same. Three out of four of all Americans use Social Technology. Two-thirds of the global base of internet users visit Social Networks. 230 million people in the U.S. and nearly 4.5 billion people worldwide visit and interact through Social Media. That is your audience!

Visiting Social Media is now the 4th Most Popular Online ActivityBecause Time Spent on Social Networks is Growing at 3x the Overall Rate

That’s right, email has come crashing down as the number four behemoth of online activities. Social Media is more active and more instant, growing at 3x the rate of every other activity that you and I do online. Forwarded emails are now being replaced by ReTweets. An unlimited text box full of spaced out text and attached files has been superceded by 140 characters and instant upload and commenting. We’re all about instantaneous, efficient exchange of information. It’s only been recently that Viral marketing has become a major marketing outlet. Browsing endlessly has been replaced by searching Google and Social Media sites.

Because Social Media is Democratizing Communication Big TimeBecause Social Media is Like Word of Mouth on Steroids

We’ve advanced throughout history in our abilities to communicate. Social Media is one more advance because everyone has a voice. It used to be that just those with the resources to write a book or the ability to cover the news could have any opinion that would reach any substantial number of people. Now, you and I can reach millions at any time without bounds. Social Media really is a beefed up form of word of mouth. Think about it: If you share with 10 friends, who share with 10 friends, who share with 10 friends, all in a matter of one or two minutes, you’ve reach a crowd of 1000 people. It only took you 100+ characters and thirty seconds. That is power.
Social Media is a Force to be Reckoned With
Yes, Yoda is the wise one. Social Media is a force. Don’t mess with it, don’t defy it, embrace it. Now you know what Social Media is and why you should care. Stay tuned to for more in depth analysis and explanation. I want to hear what you have to say. Let me know by leaving a comment or Contacting Me. Don’t forget to read Part 1 or watch the entire presentation here.

WISM Part 1 – Social Media Defined

Officially social media is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio.

Wikipedia’s definition, while broad, is accurate. Social Media is a very broad arrangement of services and channels that make up most of the interactions online. Most people think of Social Media as Twitter or Facebook, and they are right, but to assume that those are the only forms would be a huge mistake. Take advantage of every opportunity you can. Location, location, location is now Exposure, exposure, exposure. If you are overwhelmed by the massive capabilities, good. Most important piece of advice: Start Somewhere!

It's also a fancy way to describe the millions of conversations people are having online 24/7.

Like I said, start somewhere. Get involved. The way that you build up a following is not by sitting on the sidelines and holding up a sign that says “Call Me”. You have to get involved in the conversation. People are looking for information sharing when they get plugged in to social media. It isn’t enough to hang up a shingle and call that your social media effort. You’ll become stagnate and ineffectual. Continue to stay involved in the conversation and contribute.

Social Media is a lot like running. You may hate it at first. It may hurt, it may take time but, if you work at it every day, it’ll become easy.

What Exactly is Social Media & Why Should I Care?

What is Social Media?

If you own a company and you don’t yet have a Twitter account or have a grasp on other Social Media outlets, this presentation and series of posts is for you.

I’m going to break down each portion of this presentation and explain the importance and relevance it has to business. Whether or not you have ever opened a Facebook account or looked at someone’s Tweets is not important. It’s important that you get involved in the conversation now.

If you have questions, leave a comment or contact me. Let me know what has and has not worked for you. Subscribe to the blog’s feed and stay updated.

Twitter: Project ReTweet

Why is it that Twitter insists on changing things that work perfectly fine? The whole, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it mentality is lost on them.

Now, Twitter is an awesome service and an awesome resource, but Project ReTweet seems like a bad idea when all is said and done. Read More