Archive for 09/13/11
How Social Media has changed the Face of the World
Social media has changed the face of the world whether you’ve realize it or not. The control of the channel is in completely control from the user; markets have been flipped upside down. This article will share how social media has continually changed the world and what you can expect each will have as an impact in your own life.
- “Social Media is the Podium” – Social media is much like a podium in which everyone has an audience. Unlike the early web which were built to share content to a user and kept everything on tight lockdown, social media gives the user the stage where they are the ones creating content however they see fit. Users can easily share content with others, interact and integrate themselves into the social media platforms to create their own niche within a community.
- “Transparency & Social Proof” – Social media has changed who we listen to and respect in the world because of the simple flip of demanding social proof and transparency. Experts from years past were labeled as ‘experts’ despite the fact that not everyone truly saw why they were labeled as such. In today’s world the title of expert is given to those that are able to prove what they’ve accomplished by being transparent with their community, showing their numbers and backing it up with valuable content and interaction with others. The control of who we listen to on the web has shifted from T.V. talk heads to the underdog with passion.
- “A Platform for Building Personal Brands” –To break it into business or make your mark on the world at large was nearly impossible because of the high barriers of entry to gain the backing of platforms like the music & movie industry, patents for products, venture funding and more. Social media has flipped the idea of branding from a logo and large company to an individual and the good they are providing to the world. Social media allows everyone to build a personal brand through their interactions, content creation, voice and drive to stand out on the web.
- “Everyone has a Voice” – Everyone that joins a social media network has a voice that can reach millions of others. One hundred years ago it would be nearly impossible for the average person to draw an audience in the thousands without popular backing and access to forums. Today, everyone has a platform to share their voice, opinions and build an audience with zero barriers for entry. The world has found many amazing individuals that were once silent from traditional barriers. Entire movements can be created using social media platforms.
- “Social Commerce” – The way we buy as a society has shifted from interruption to passive interaction. A review of a product from the actual customer has a profound effect on the buying decision when it’s shared on social media networks vs. a marketing message crafted by a division of a large corporation. People want to learn what others are buying, where to find great deals, how others are experiencing a product or service, what the low-down is and how items will impact their lives rather than being told through a commercial. People regularly flock to the net to research products and services; one of their first stops is within their social media circles.
