Week Four- Social Networking
The advances in technology have not only shaped the way devices are created, it has also shaped the way we communicate. Technology has impacted how companies communicate with consumers, teachers with students, parents with kids, business professionals with peers and vice versa. With the help of new hi-tech products and services, communication is continuing to evolve along side technology. Social media has taken this evolution to new heights. With popular social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram growing daily, it is very obvious that these platforms are here to stay. Over the years, I seen the evolution of social media in my personal and professional life. Luckily, as a graduate student, I’ve seen many of my instructors incorporate social media in the classroom, allowing us to see its importance in our personal lives and in our careers. As time continues, my usage of social media has changed and evolved just like technology and the networking platforms. Initially, I primarily used social media to socialize with friends and family all over the world. As I’ve grown, I’ve began to use social media as a business platform opposed to sharing my personal information and activities. This change was sparked by seeing so many others share information that I felt wasn't necessary for others to see or know on social media. After finding my position in this networking world, I was able to create the t-shirt that we discussed in last week’s blog. The t-shirt is a dedication to business owners that utilize social media positively for their business. The shirt reads “Social Media Is For My Businesses Not My Business ”. The shirt was created to acknowledge those business owners who use their time wisely on social media. But the shirt was also created to encourage those that waste time on social media to find a way to make it profitable for them and their business or brand. Granted, every person is not a CEO and every person doesn’t have a product that other people would want to buy or purchase. Even with this mind, I think several companies and individuals could use a social media etiquette course.
Not Just One Way To Do It…..
There is no set way to do social media. Whether you only use Facebook to connect with classmates or Pinterest for new recipes, there are many ways to enjoy social media. One of the greatest benefits of social media is the freedom it gives one to share what they want, when they want, where they want. You would be shocked at how many people that have more than two or three social media accounts that they actively use daily. The shirt was also inspired by the amount of nonsense I’ve seen individuals posting on social media. Over the years, I’ve seen people share fights, stabbings, makeup tutorials, shootings, car fires, robberies and so much more. While all the content wasn’t bad, some of it has been very disturbing. After a live shooting took place on Facebook Live, Facebook increased its monitoring power to ensure it created a safe social environment. What do you get when you mix the freedom of speech and expression with unlimited data or WiFi, the unpredictable. Some people believe that because they created a page, they have the right to post and share and repost whatever they desire without any consideration for other individuals using the same platform. Often times, these type of moral issues go unpunished or unacknowledged but in many situations what you post on social media can impact your life outside of social media. In 2013, Shea Allen, investigative reporter for Huntsville, AL, ABC affiliate WAAY, confirmed she was fired by the station without cause. Allen posted a list confessions to her personal blog “Shea Allen Says…” titled “No Apologies: Confessions of a Red Headed Reporter” listing ten confessions ranging from, “I’ve taken naps in the news car,” and “If you ramble and I deem you unnecessary for my story, I’ll stop recording but let you think otherwise,” to “I’ve stolen mail and then put it back. (maybe). (Eck, 2013). This is a prime example of what could happen when things get a little too personal on social media and others discover it. Negative comments and postings on social media could prevent an individual from employment, ruin relationships, destroy reputations, and/or damages one’s character or self esteem. Everyone has access to networking platforms but now everyone knows how to properly utilize the services. Social media etiquette is key to making it work for you.
What Are You Waiting On?....
People aren’t the only ones missing the mark on how to properly use social media, some companies aren’t even up-to-date with the advances of technology , let alone social media. Believe it or not, there are still some companies in 2018 that aren’t active in the social media world. For many of them having social media is not necessary and their business have yet to be impacted by the lack of digital social networking. For others, they are just missing out on the endless business opportunities that come with marketing on social media. BuinessInsider.com identified 5 essential reasons for businesses to use social media…
1. The conversation is already out there. You're either joining in, or you're missing out.
2. Facebook alone has 618 million daily active users, how can you not step onto that playing field?
3. It's an easy and immediate way to connect to both your fans and your potential customers.
4. It's a way to support your traditional marketing ventures.
5. There’s a huge benefit to having access to real-time market intelligence and feedback. (Leonard, 2013)
In short, businesses have to have a strategy and etiquette as well to effectively reach consumers. Social media is playground for all to enjoy but no everyone will be taken serious. How one executes on social media will ultimately determine how they are received. This is not the place to joke around. Playing with social media could cause your business or personal business to become the butt of the joke, take it serious.
Source:
1. Eck, K. (2013, July 29). WAAY Reporter Fired After Posting List of Confessions to Personal Blog. Retrieved from http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/waay-reporter-fired-after-posting-list-of-confessions-to-personal-blog/100000?red=ts
2. Leonard, H. (2013, February 12). Will Social Media Replace Email? Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/can-social-media-replace-email-2013-2
Not Just One Way To Do It…..
There is no set way to do social media. Whether you only use Facebook to connect with classmates or Pinterest for new recipes, there are many ways to enjoy social media. One of the greatest benefits of social media is the freedom it gives one to share what they want, when they want, where they want. You would be shocked at how many people that have more than two or three social media accounts that they actively use daily. The shirt was also inspired by the amount of nonsense I’ve seen individuals posting on social media. Over the years, I’ve seen people share fights, stabbings, makeup tutorials, shootings, car fires, robberies and so much more. While all the content wasn’t bad, some of it has been very disturbing. After a live shooting took place on Facebook Live, Facebook increased its monitoring power to ensure it created a safe social environment. What do you get when you mix the freedom of speech and expression with unlimited data or WiFi, the unpredictable. Some people believe that because they created a page, they have the right to post and share and repost whatever they desire without any consideration for other individuals using the same platform. Often times, these type of moral issues go unpunished or unacknowledged but in many situations what you post on social media can impact your life outside of social media. In 2013, Shea Allen, investigative reporter for Huntsville, AL, ABC affiliate WAAY, confirmed she was fired by the station without cause. Allen posted a list confessions to her personal blog “Shea Allen Says…” titled “No Apologies: Confessions of a Red Headed Reporter” listing ten confessions ranging from, “I’ve taken naps in the news car,” and “If you ramble and I deem you unnecessary for my story, I’ll stop recording but let you think otherwise,” to “I’ve stolen mail and then put it back. (maybe). (Eck, 2013). This is a prime example of what could happen when things get a little too personal on social media and others discover it. Negative comments and postings on social media could prevent an individual from employment, ruin relationships, destroy reputations, and/or damages one’s character or self esteem. Everyone has access to networking platforms but now everyone knows how to properly utilize the services. Social media etiquette is key to making it work for you.
What Are You Waiting On?....
People aren’t the only ones missing the mark on how to properly use social media, some companies aren’t even up-to-date with the advances of technology , let alone social media. Believe it or not, there are still some companies in 2018 that aren’t active in the social media world. For many of them having social media is not necessary and their business have yet to be impacted by the lack of digital social networking. For others, they are just missing out on the endless business opportunities that come with marketing on social media. BuinessInsider.com identified 5 essential reasons for businesses to use social media…
1. The conversation is already out there. You're either joining in, or you're missing out.
2. Facebook alone has 618 million daily active users, how can you not step onto that playing field?
3. It's an easy and immediate way to connect to both your fans and your potential customers.
4. It's a way to support your traditional marketing ventures.
5. There’s a huge benefit to having access to real-time market intelligence and feedback. (Leonard, 2013)
In short, businesses have to have a strategy and etiquette as well to effectively reach consumers. Social media is playground for all to enjoy but no everyone will be taken serious. How one executes on social media will ultimately determine how they are received. This is not the place to joke around. Playing with social media could cause your business or personal business to become the butt of the joke, take it serious.
Source:
1. Eck, K. (2013, July 29). WAAY Reporter Fired After Posting List of Confessions to Personal Blog. Retrieved from http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/waay-reporter-fired-after-posting-list-of-confessions-to-personal-blog/100000?red=ts
2. Leonard, H. (2013, February 12). Will Social Media Replace Email? Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/can-social-media-replace-email-2013-2
Hello Kenya, great blog! Technology has definitely taken communication to new heights and beyond! Over the last ten years we have personally seen the effects of developing technology modifying a part of our lives. For example, I remember getting sent home with books and having to read actual pages for an assignment in elementary school but now I see my younger cousins bringing home iPads and chromebooks to download pdf or portable document format files for their assignments. Also, I really like the purpose and meaning behind your slogan on your t-shirts, I am currently developing or refocusing my social media platforms to have more content related to my personal blog and YouTube channel. I think social media is very powerful in helping entrepreneurs break their businesses! If you have any tips or advice, I would love to read up on information you can provide to assist in my efforts.
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