Apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have become a part of teens’ daily routines. Babies being raised today are learning their ABCs off of iPads. But speaking in terms of everybody, I think social media has really benefitted us. There certainly are good things that have come out of social media’s existence.
To start, employers find use of social media handy when it comes to prospective employees, networking and more. Sites such as LinkedIn have made it possible to establish “connections” and network with past, present and future colleagues. Users can write recommendations, add or endorse skills and even display media as a small online portfolio. Employers can use LinkedIn and other social media sites to see if a prospective employee is the right fit outside of the interview process. Speaking of portfolios, another site, Pressfolios helps journalists get their work out into the digital world. Journalists can create a free portfolio of their top stories and easily pull up a webpage in an interview instead of hauling around a portfolio of newspaper clippings. Other portfolio sites such as 4ormat and Wix can help other professions display their work and establish a portfolio for little cost.
Social media can also assist new/smaller businesses establish an online presence. Facebook Pages has helped me immensely. I run my own page for my emerging photography business. The page helps me provide updates, connect with fans and customers and most importantly, share my photos. Over the course of just under a year, my page has received 370 ‘Likes.’ These likes help spread my photographs to their network, establish an online presence and bring in more likes. It takes a lot of work but the results are worth it. I have had several people inquire and eventually purchase my work. I’ve also networked with other photographers in the area and garnered freelance opportunities from connections of fans. The clicking of the ‘Like’ button may not seem big to the user, but to the page owner it means a lot.
Well-known businesses should have a social media presence as well to take full advantage of bettering their company. Wal-Mart has 33-million fans on Facebook and joined the site only four years ago. Wal-Mart keeps their fans engaged in many ways. They have monthly cover photos, which feature a collage of fan-submitted photos for the month’s theme. Wal-Mart also posts updates on sales and new items, and customers have the ability to share comments with Wal-Mart. Social media has helped, as their stock has taken a nine percent increase since 2009. Ultimately, most retail businesses will not only generate more sales if they use social media, but also build on customer satisfaction.
Some people think social media takes us away from human interaction, but I think it does exactly the opposite. People can make new friends by finding a common page they like. Current events posted on YouTube generate chatter in-class and can sometimes even turn into passionate debates. And you can’t forget the meal discussions that generate from “Transformation Tuesday,” “Throwback Thursday” and “Selfie Sunday.”
According to Brian Solis, digital analyst for the Altimeter Group, “Social media sparks a revelation that we, the people, have a voice…” Solis has a simple, yet valid point. Each one of us truly do have a voice when it comes to social media, so do the world a favor and put your 140 characters to good use!
