Follow & Friend Me: How Social Media Has Changed the Way We Do Business

     It seems like everyone is a part of Social Media. Sports teams, businesses, celebrities and your average Joe, have Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Social Media has become the primary means in which we all communicate with each other, create social circles and friendships, and glean important -- and not so important, information.

There was a time when Facebook and Twitter for example, were just a mere means to connect long-lost friends or build a circle of new ones (a step up from a chat room). As more and more people caught on to this new form of technology, however, the godfathers of social media sites had to evolve and revamp their platforms in order to remain viable. Now, Facebook and Twitter are the first places where most Millennials go for news on politics, current affairs and social issues.

 

     I believe Social Media is most useful when disseminating content of mass appeal and interest that is more specialized. In other words, when companies and businesses want to promote their brands and increase publicity, Social Media is the way in which to do that.

One advantage of Social Media Sites, or SMSs, are that it keeps issues "in the news" and companies operable. In addition, they offer companies a chance to thrive. Think about it: major news outlets will continue to cover a story based on viewer polls, tweets and Facebook likes or posts, on the subject. And because the current generation will continue to use SMSs for news, news organizations can determine what are the most fascinating topics of interests for their viewers and capitalize on them. In addition, advertisers can also make products that will coincide with what the target audience is tweeting about, resulting in two-way communication at its best! Social Media users are major participants and catalysts in making and spreading news and helping companies stay afloat.

     It is important for businesses and/or companies to have a niche or specific brand in order to survive. Through great marketing and public relations techniques, I am sure that companies can successfully market and promote their brands, especially through Social Media Sites. A niche that resonates with the public will be easier to spread and be more popular than just a company trying to promote itself on company values and services alone. A company's image is everything, and Social Media can help to promote that image effectively. In addition, people who are passionate about a product and/or company will more likely be enthusiastic in promoting it. Contrary to popular belief, customers want to believe they are involved in a company's success. Customers want to feel they had a hand in developing a company's brand or product. Social Media is a powerful tool in which customers and companies can stay connected and share common goals.

I agree with Business Insider's writer Max Nisen, when he had this to say in the February 2013 issue, "It's up to organizations to equip [business] leaders so they feel first comfortable, then confident in using these tools [of Social Media]."

In the area of sports, especially college and pro football, is where Social Media users can really have their voices heard. ESPN's Sports Center's analysts, often read tweets and Facebook comments from the day's breaking headlines on-air. News of Minnesota Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson's alleged child abuse scandal, and former Baltimore Ravens' running back Ray Rice's alleged abuse of his fiancée in an elevator, sparked national outrage. Social Media users provoked debates on the topics of domestic violence, race, and family issues, through innumerable tweets and Facebook comments. Undoubtedly, these tweets and posts probably kept the stories in the news longer than they needed to be!




   Another company that encourages customer involvement through Social Media is Allstate Insurance. During its sponsored 2015 Sugar Bowl featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes, Allstate did something unique to encourage younger visitors to its site. The company's advertising character "mayhem" breaks into a couple's home and tries to auction off their belongings via the internet! Viewers were urged to visit Mayhemsale.com or tweet #MayhemSale to "Buy Matt & Shannon's Stuff" for one day only. According to ABC News.com, traffic to the Mayhem site reached 18 million hits during the Bowl alone! Not only was that smart advertising and proof that Social Media works for companies that know how to use it, but the campaign encouraged a new wave of customers (mainly young people) to use caution while surfing the web and using Social Media.

     We know that many people use Social Media Sites for entertainment purposes. However, many still use them as a way to "fit in" socially. A perfect example of this would be sending out friend requests to real life friends and to total strangers. The more "friends" someone has socially, the more popular that person is presumed to be. Social Media has changed the way we look at ourselves on a social, as well as psychological and emotional level. The belief that we are "accepted" due to the magnitude of Facebook 'likes' to our personal posts and pictures is somewhat disturbing. Why are we seeking approval through Social Media to determine our self-worth?

 

  
Every form of technology has its pros and cons. As with any novel technology, there will be some who are in favor of Social Media Sites and some who are totally against it. When television first came on the scene, I'm sure many who were accustomed to getting all of their information and news through radio channels felt the advent of television was a death wish to the country's wellbeing. On the other hand, as more and more families brought the television into their homes or were exposed to it, the television became widely accepted as a positive new medium for communication and advertising. The same is true with current technology such as mobile phones and tablets. As technology and Social Media become more widely adopted, people will see it as a natural part of a society. In the end, the important factor to consider is this: How can Social Media improve (not hinder) the way of life for everyone?

 

 

Everything: Yep, there's an App for That.

    
     Many of us can't even fathom leaving our homes without our mobile phones or devices. Just like our keys, wallets and/or purses are essential to our wellbeing, so is our cellphone! By this point, if you don't have a mobile device, you're probably archaic! (No offense.) Smile.

From candlestick and cradle phones, to payphones, Motorola’s DynaTAC  phone of the 1980s, and smartphones of today, mobile communication has launched a new means of spreading and sharing information.       

 

     Recent research indicates that 3 billion people around the world own a cell phone. According to data from Flurry.com, a site affiliated with Yahoo!, people are spending 127 minutes per day with their smartphones, up from 66 minutes per day, in 2010. This means we spend more time with mobile phones and apps than we do on the web or watch television.

According to Mary Meeker, an investor at Silicon Valley’s  Kleiner Perkins, many of the robust internet usage is coming from countries other than the U.S. Her research concludes that in 2012, there were 2.2 billion global internet users, with the highest being China with 538 million and the least being Argentina, with 28 million. Other countries, with the exception of three – China, India and the U.S., remained in the double-digits.  The U.S. had 244 million internet users. In terms of global smartphone subscribers, China took the lead again with more than 270 million subscribers. The U.S. took second place with 172 million.

The research shows that the onset of iPods, iPads, and Android devices have grown astronomically since 2008, causing the technology industry to explode! Who knew that the telephone would morph into the thin, sleek and unintimidating mobile device it is today? As in the famed words of Sherlock Holmes to his trusty companion Dr. John Watson, "It's elementary, my dear ..."   

 

                                                                   

     I think it’s cool that smartphone and tablet users do not have to leave the comfort of wheverever they are to go into a store and purchase products. As I’ve mentioned before, the smartphone is a one-stop-shop for buying goods and services. Using what Meeker mentioned as “natural user interface,” the smart phone allows consumers to buy groceries and order food, buy airline or concert tickets, stream live videos, pay bills, download paycheck stubs and financial info, deposit checks, and secure a car or home among other things, using the touch of a finger, voice recognition, or gestures in realtime. I personally like that fact that I don't have to buy an Atlas or GPS for traveling, but can download a turn-by-turn GPS on my Droid for free. Where atlases can be outdated and cumbersome, the satellite GPS on one’s smartphone can pin-point specific locations and directions both immediately and accurately.

As we are all aware of, social networking through mobile (or mobile social media), allows users to stay connected wherever they are "without barriers" so to speak. It seems there is no distance between virtual and reality, as various commands are simultaneous.  There is no longer a do-it-yourself attitude because a smartphone and/or wireless device can do whatever you want, when you want, on its own!

Although the above can be exciting, it is also somewhat scary when considering all future possibilities. iPhone already has Siri -- the intelligent talking assistant, and Android devices have an aide of its own. It may sound bogus, but what if advancements are made to the mobile phone, causing it -- and it's user -- to develop feelings for each other? This is starting to sound a lot like the movie, "Her." (weird.)

     There is no doubt that the development of the modern mobile phone and social media have changed the way people communicate, especially on an interpersonal level. When proper ways of communication included telephone calls, emails or even written letters in times past, we as a culture, have instead opted for more impersonal methods, such as texting or tweeting our thoughts and feelings to friends and loved ones.

In his work, “Mobile Telephones and the Disturbance of the Public Sphere (2010),” researcher Rich Ling, Ph.D, demonstrated how ‘mobile telephony’ shapes social norms –what is deemed appropriate or inappropriate, as it pertains to phone etiquette and social interaction. I'm curious to know the direction communication will go in terms of dating relationships. How will the marriage proposal be? What device will be used or deemed appropriate for the occasion?

In the long run, I believe mobile social media will encourage people to be disconnected, rather than seemingly connected. We don’t ever have to interact with an human face again. This concept emphasizes selfishness and discourages altruism. Just like some colleges identify their students by social security

numbers, and prisons locate inmates via personal identification numbers, we all may be known one day by a cellphone number or carrier! It's a stretch, but it's also a possibility. 

As many pioneers of the 20^th century invented breakthrough patents and enterprises to serve humankind, modern advances have caused Americans – and parts of the world, to be individualistic and self-oriented. The attitude seems to be:

"How can this device 'help me' or make 'my life' better? Not, "how will this invention help a whole group of people or future generations?"

 

                                   

 

     I understand the notion of mobile phones being a strategic, beneficial device to connect and unite industrialized and underdeveloped countries. Mobile social media allows underdeveloped countries to be more modernized in education and healthcare, for example, with resources at their disposal. With appropriate content (which is important), the internet and social media will allow more jobs to be created on an international scale, due to the need for innovative ideas and evolving technologies.

Let's be honest. Desktop computers and laptops are losing their popularity, whereas tablets and mobile phones continue to gain momentum across industries. Mobile social media is where the growth is. Millions of people are choosing to use mobile phones as the primary means for social activity, entertainment (games and music), and news.

The "mobile-first" platform allows companies to distribute pivotal content to target audiences more quickly than anywhere else. Speaking of shopping, news of Apple's latest development, "Apple Pay" just flashed across my phone. According to Forbes.com, Apple Pay (launched in October) is set to take the shopping world by storm! The program will enable iPhone users to make online purchases directly through the app. It seems promising, and an effective example to what I meant by using our mobile devices for everything!

As I close today's post, I don't want you to think that I'm this jaded skeptic of all things technology. In fact, technology, especially mobile social media, is very much a part of my everyday life. I just want all of us to consider why technology was created in the first place: to connect and to unite us all in a positive way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Convergence & the Information Age: Is Too Much Really A Bad Thing?

    

     I was a child in the beginning stages of the Internet and a preteen during the dot-com boom. It was a time just before Apple revamped its operating system and image, and Gateway desktop computers were a fixture in every classroom. Yikes!

 Even though it was novel and intriguing to see a few companies encourage visitors to their newly-created websites at the time, our teachers still were doubtful of technology's future, encouraging us to do book research instead and not solely depend on the internet – as new as it may have been – for our information.

 I still remember the words of my seventh grade teacher ringing in my ears; her words displaying dissatisfaction in what has come true concerning technology: "In about 10 years, hundreds of web pages and websites will be available to you, but don't get caught up in the hype. It won't last." 

I'm sure my teacher -- just like many others -- are now eating their words. Surely no one could have realized just how much technology has grown in such a short time span.

Daily, thousands of gigabytes of information is digitally available to us across geographical lines and time zones, and can be accessed quickly and easily. And contrary to my teacher's "words of wisdom," technology is lasting and will only expand.

     As companies continue to merge and offer several services (i.e., cell phone companies offering cable, wireless, and internet services, and newspaper giants offering digital versions, subscriptions, and owning television companies, etc.), I wonder if these mergers will threaten the publics', as well as the country's, safety?

Technology has opened wide the doors of shopping online and/or from home. Though this may be convenient to some, it can also be hazardous, as businesses are asking consumers for their social security numbers and other personal information in order to purchase products or access certain information.

    



Are we doing too much too soon as it pertains to creating and expanding technology?             

                                                                  

     I believe what World Wide Web creator Tim Berners –Lee wrote in his 2010 article, “Long live the Web”: “The goal of the web is to serve humanity.” Again, everyone should have access to the web. This includes the disabled as well as those who live in rural areas. However information is accessed, whether digitally or wirelessly, users should have a safe, surfing experience and content should be accurate, affordable, fair, and encourage free thinking.

I do not personally have a problem with the advancement of technology or the Internet. I believe Americans are now living in the "best of times," as information continues to accelerate and entrepreneurship and innovation is realized. Interconnectivity has caused consumerism and innovation to explode, which I personally believe is the cornerstone of democracy. On the other hand, in order for technology to continue to expand and be available to all, there needs to be some regulation. By regulation, I mean there needs to be more sanctions, stricter protocol and overall supervision and maintenance of information set in place, to protect users' privacy and the security of our country. This is especially true as it pertains to young users being able to easily access pornographic or obscene material online. Just as there are gatekeepers in the newsrooms, there must be gatekeepers on the Internet, tasked to monitor activity on a continual basis.

So how can this so called 'regulation' take place? Maybe it's a far-fetched notion right now, but what if the government could hire a special task force whose sole responsibility would be to monitor Internet traffic and activity 24/7? If an on-call workforce is too costly, why not enable programs or special devices for consumers to use that will act as a stronger firewall against malicious or offensive information?

Whatever the preferred mechanism, something needs to be established -- at least within the next century or two -- to safeguard against hackers and protect consumers' personal information.
 

              

 

This is where the Federal Communications Commission (and possibly The Federal Trade Commission) may be able to step in. The FCC is responsible for not only ensuring that there is fair communication and business practices among companies, but that consumers have appropriate access to optimum information and can create it. In addition, the FCC ensures the public's consumer and communication rights are protected and not violated.

The FCC is to promote the "fair competition" concept, which means that innumerable companies can offer several of the same services and be truly competitive with one another. Fair competition also enables a "marketplace of ideas," where consumers can have a pool of options from which to choose, and therefore make better decisions on their own. Without fair competition, there is only one choice that can be made. More options mean a diverse spectrum of thoughts, which result in growth. 

The same concept holds true in advertising, where an advertiser must be fair in his/her marketing approaches -- allowing a consumer, who is reasonably minded, to be able to make a decision on a purchase without feeling "tricked" or deceived. In addition, presented information must be true and accurate, and not purposely false; surveys must present real data; and celebrities who endorse certain products, must actually use the products themselves. The burden to be accurate is heavy on advertisers, but the pain of sanctions for not following the rules set by the Federal Trade Commission, is far weightier! The FTC is holding advertisers and stakeholders accountable, and we as consumers should do the same thing, especially as it pertains to the Internet servicers and site providers!

The Information Highway has expanded tremendously since the days of the horse and carriage, the printing press, the telephone, and the railroad industry as it pertains to the dissemination of information. New means of transporting -- and creating -- information have advanced so much so, that it is difficult for information to be monitored around the clock efficiently.

                  

As more and more information inundates our classrooms, television screens and wireless devices, it is traveling at insurmountable speeds to other facets of our economy as well, such as our hospitals (in healthcare and medicine), agriculture (farming and industry), the government (laws, etc.) and even religious sectors.

   It seems the government (namely the Armed Forces) is arguably always privy and the first to know about a technological advancement or innovative breakthrough. With the advent of the super computer and other technological milestones used to locate the enemy and protect security in times past, it's no surprise that the government would play a pivotal part in the convergence movement.

     For instance, during the 2008 Presidential Election, then nominee, Senator Barack Obama, perhaps hinted toward the government going more digital when constituents began to see the now president's speeches broadcast live through YouTube and Google. Reports surfaced that the president was using his Blackberry (which is now out-of-date by the way), and Facebook to connect with Millennials and young constituents.

Never before in the history of the presidency, have voters been able to connect with the Commander-in-Chief in this type of way. Through Social Media, voters could ask the president questions, send uploaded videos and pics, and 'tweet' their concerns, feeling involved in the law-making process. Where other governmental leaders, especially older generations, failed in the technology route and doubted its impact, President Obama embraced it and capitalized on it, knowing this change would very much be a staple of the future!  

 

   

 It seems many of us cannot live without our daily dose of news on the web, our apps to help us travel or eat, or the infinite downloads of music and other miscellaneous techno necessities. We need to be aware of both the positive and negative aspects that come with the rapid influx of information technology provides.

Whatever your personal thoughts on the matter, one thing is certain: both media convergence and technology are here to stay.
 

                                                              

 

Is Traditional Media a Thing of the Past?

          I'd like to think I'm modern. Hence my pseudo moniker, "the 'modish' pragmatist." Yet, with technology constantly changing, I'm not so sure I'm as modern as I need to be.
     Technology is changing at an ever-rapid pace. It seems like every month there's a new electronic device to learn, a new game to beat, and a new app to download.  For those who are more 'traditional' or have not yet joined the digital revolution, it all seems overwhelming; maybe even a bit scary.

And with many news outlets choosing to go the digital and/or online route these days, the question of "Is traditional media dying?," remains something to be considered.

In the early part of the 20th Century (before the late 1990s), many communities looked to traditional newspaper and radio as accurate and credible sources of information. Journalists took pride in disseminating content that was timely, reliable, well-sourced, and factual. The "gatekeeper" of the newsroom, or the editor(s), ensured content was properly scrutinized for inaccuracies, bias, completeness, and credibility, among others. I'm sure many consumers were proud to receive their morning papers, or watch the evening news, knowing information wouldn't be opinionated or compromised.

With more and more large newspaper companies such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Boston Globe, and Huffington Post (now HuffPost) gearing more toward online subscriptions, many critics believe smaller newspapers across the country will close their doors for good. I, however, disagree. I believe the newspaper industry will continue to thrive, as long as it evolves and remains innovative.

What do I mean?

There needs to be new forms of reporting in order for these news organizations to exist for the next 10 to 15 years. I believe it's advantageous that news outlets are becoming more digital-friendly and hiring more seasoned journalists to spearhead and manage them. Furthermore, as companies become digitized, this can encourage company growth, incur more revenue and expand viewership across demographic and geographical lines. Of course with this "expansion" there will be a sense of connectedness; two-way communication between the consumer and company improves, resulting in the improvement of consumer services.

Even though Generation Y'ers (born after 1985) and Millennials choose to get all of their news, social cues, entertainment and fashion advice from the internet and social media, I believe there is still a strong audience that depends on traditional media (i.e., television, radio, and newspapers) for its news, and deems it more reputable.

According to recent research from the Pew Research Center, nine out of 10 households watched local television in 2013. This means television is still very much a part of our society. Since its onset, television has been an important staple in American culture. Oxygen Media's Chairman of Entertainment and Digital Networks and Integrated Media, Lauren Zalaznick said it best when she stated, "television has shaped a generations' consciousness." Television shows such as Dynasty, Sanford & Son, M.A.S.H and All in the Family for Instance, helped to influence Americans' stance on such issues as race relations and riots, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement and Women Rights.

Where television was once the mecca of all things media, now it seems the internet has snatched the coveted title.

I remember when Facebook was a site dedicated to helping folks find childhood friends or high school classmates. In just 12 short years, Facebook has exploded into the premiere Social networking site where users can not only connect with close friends, but also with celebrities. Facebook now offers ways for users to upload pictures, write semi-blog through wall posts, browse news feeds (traditional and entertainment), and connect with businesses and other media sites. Who knew that a simple site, would grow into the media mogul it is today? Businesses and media outlets have caught on, creating webpages, apps and video links to their own social media sites on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.
                                                                                    

   

I understand news outlets need to connect with the younger audience. It makes sense that as Millennials look toward social media for everything "news" that companies would use the internet, smartphones, and tablets as primary means to distributing news.

I get that advertisers are catering more toward Millennials and Generation Y'ers, as they are the ones shopping online, ordering food through their cellphones, and even purchasing  movie tickets online.                                                                                                     

Now, please don't get me wrong: I am not negating the importance of media conglomerates using the internet and android devices as means to satisfy their target audiences. All I'm saying is that companies should not neglect the importance of traditional media --such as newspapers, television, and radio. Traditional media is the foundation of our country, marking back to a time of self-exploration, innovation and expansion.

Who knows what the next millennium will bring in regards to technology? We've already experienced unbelievable and unimaginable advances.

 I just don't want us to become robots or droids.


What are your thoughts?