Some say social media is simply a fad. What would you tell them?
Some people think social media is merely a fad merely representing a new tool for communicating. Just 10 years ago, the idea of collaboratively created directories of people that mapped their achievements, relationships, experience, skills, and interests sounded a little crazy but today we call it social media.
So, if someone told you social media is just a fad or is not as important as everyone is claiming, what would you tell them?
I believe social media could no longer be considered a fad even if it were to disappear tomorrow because it has been so prevalant for so many years already. I have found in the career services department that social media is a key tool to the success of contacting graduates, employers, and possible new prospective students. We also use social media to find clients for clinic as well, it is amazing the reach you can have by simply logging on. @rstarks
@rstarks : Even if it is preeived to be a fad, it's what employers are using right now. It is important to keep all social media sites professional, not giving information that could harm your chances of employment. Before Facebook, there was MySpace that has dissapeared from the scene, however during it's time of popularity, it was used to find information about individuals. You must stay relevant.
I definitely feel social media is here to stay when you look at the ways it is used – dating, creating groups with common interests (meetup.com), even making an appointment with the doctor or to have your car serviced. It is also a huge time-saver in many instances. I look forward to implementing some of the methods into assisting my students with their job search. However, I have to agree with Michelle somewhat because ironically, the same things we use to build the relationships and engage the students detracts from the personal interaction that has been the staple of building the relationships in the past. I don’t think job seekers will ever be allowed to tweet their interview, so it is important to maintain the balance between online and in-person contact.
I would probably take a middle of the road approach. Social Media is not a fad and can be a great way to communicate both personally and professionally. Many people in the older generation do not want social media and will never join social media. Most people in the younger generation could not live without social media. My generation is in the middle. Though I have social media, I am not on it 24 hours a day. I believe social media has stunted many in the younger generation by allowing them to be, for lack of a better word, anti-social in person. They would rather tweet or Facebook instead of speaking to the person they are actually with.
Some people think social media is merely a fad merely representing a new tool for communicating. Just 10 years ago, the idea of collaboratively created directories of people that mapped their achievements, relationships, experience, skills, and interests sounded a little crazy but today we call it social media.
So, if someone told you social media is just a fad or is not as important as everyone is claiming, what would you tell them?
I would first identify this person's age group!! LOL. I would definitely respond that social media isn't going away....EVER. They are improving how things are being done and their are new sites being created. It is really up to each individual to decide what is best for them, and how they want to use social media. But no matter what, it isn't going any where. There are classes on how to use these platforms and most advertising agencies are using them as well. This the way to reach millions globally.
I would let them know that they are wrong because it's not just a simply fad it's something better than that, it's to know people to created new contacts new informations, and the best way to manage a new life to interact with different people.
Hi Daniel,
I couldn't agree more. Your example of American Idol is a good one showing how social media has been integrated in businesses and traditional media. Social media amplifies brand messaging, reach, affinity, etc. It will be interesting to see how things continue to change in the future.
Robert Starks Jr.
Social Media is the only media outlet that is completely interactive. I believe for that 1 reason, it is not a fad. It is a game changer. Having previously worked in an advertising agency that specialized in TV/Radio/and print, I saw that world change and it will never be the same. TV and radio networks have been forced to embrace Social Media by tweeting and allowing the audience to interact through Social Media. Just the other night I was watching American Idol and seeing how they have embraced Facebook. They show followers profiles while on the background as a contestant is performing. Social Media is only going to continue to grow and change our world.
i would tell them to research the money spent in social media. And to see the advertisements on their computer and how they reflect the things that they have been viewing. Look at how many people are on their phones, tablets and computers. it is a resource that is not going away. people have limited attention spans and more are focusing on technology. The more platforms that are given to us to use creates more avenues to reach our targeted audience. there is a platform for everyone. No other tool can say that.
I would tell them that this fad is very important. It's true, though, I once thought this was a waste of time and people that were on these sites had no life. NOT TRUE!!!!! Especially in this profession and in this new era. Open your eyes and smell the roses. These sites are extremely important and will continue to be important for a very long time!!!!
First, I would say, "When done without purpose, you're right. It's fad-ish. However, people thought the internet was out of date & it has revolutionized the world.
Now imagine instead of aimlessly searching for information and community on a specific subject on the internet, you can have all of that by simply subcribing to a group, or cause, or business through social media."
Amber,
Well stated! Given that platforms have shown to fluctuate in popularity overtime, platforms are likely to come and go and there is no telling what will be here in the future and what will be replaced. I believe that it can be easy for people to think "social media" is a fad not realizing the difference between the broad nature of "social media" vs. a particular platform. That being said, how do you and your staff manage, not only learning to be skilled at using existing platforms such as Facebook or Twitter, but learning and constantly researching new tools to remain at the "cutting edge?"
Robert Starks Jr.
Kristine ,
More powerful than communication tools, social media has proven to be a means to develop meaningful connections with people and build a sense of community. This is powerful. Not only can you often reach them more quickly, you can learn more about them from their content and their profile information. What you learn can be used strategically in your interactions with them as you build and strengthen your relationships and adapt your communication strategies. As an example, consider a non-responsive graduate who doesn't want to interact with the Career Services department - how might you use social media to try a different approach in reaching this graduate? What does social media offer that other tools (such as a phone or email) can't?
Robert Starks Jr.
I think that I would respond to the facts.
For right now social media is a very effective way of not only marketing our services, but outreaching to many graduates with whom we have lost contact.
When I started with my company there was quite a few graduates who had completely fallen off the face of the earth. However a graduate may not respond to an e-mail or voicemail or any of the above but send them a facebook message and you often get almost an immediate response.
So whether it is a "fad" or not, it is currently a very resourceful tool, that I would rather use- rather than not.
I would tell them they are very wrong to dismiss it as a fad. I have to admit I was one of those people not so long ago. I was introduced to utilizing facebook when I began to work in the Career Services Dept. a year and a half ago. I was really surprised to learn that often students/graduates use facebook as the way they communicate. I learned I could reach some of them quicker by using facebook. (That's not always the case but sometimes it is.) I still have alot to learn but I'm finding this webinar very informative.
I personally felt that social media was completely invasive, at first. Now I see it as a daily reality that influences how we live life - *especially* in Career Services. Social media keeps me up to date with what is happening in my graduates' profession as well as what is what is happening with the graduates themselves. It keeps me in the conversation. This will continue to evolve and grow - there is no way that this aspect of our lives will go away.
I would say that the use of social media can significantly accelerate your reach and growth by connecting you to more professionals and more resources that they didn't even know existed or even needed!
Before taking this course I really didn't understand social media well. Now I can't wait to get involved in more platforms other than the popular ones, like facebook. I would tell people that it's not a fad, and that I believe it will be necessary to grow a buisness properly.
Thank you for the information. I will investigate these sites. I am sure they will be engaging to my students.
