Why Get On The Social Media?

Are you on Facebook? Do you have a Twitter account or accounts?Are you part of the Social Media Revolution?

Like it or not, things are changing…. are we part of that change in how we relate to one another or are we holding on to what went before? Are we in touch with the present radial shift in communications or are we burying our heads hoping it will all go away and peole will stop inviting us to become “friends” on Facebook?

Talking to a friend of mine today, I was rather surprised to discover that not only is she not on Facebook or Twitter – she’s not even interested!  “I like to write to people individually or phone them!” she told me, “Why should I write something that everyone can read?”

She has a point. That is the way we used to do it and we feel comfortable with that. In “the good ol’ days” we were communicating person to person or face to face. And these tools: emailing, phoning (ah, letter writing – when was the last time you wrote a letter???) still have their purpose. But what I have found is that Facebook, and Twitter in particular, as well as the other social media give me, an individual, the opportunity to communicate through broadcasting.

(Remember only radio, TV, and newspapers used to be able to broadcast, that is, go from one source or font to many listeners, viewers, readers.)

However, now, we individuals, can each “broadcast” our news with all those who follow us AND these records of our messages, especially on Twitter, go online and become accessible to all who search on the internet!  I really find this mind-blowing! We are no longer “islands” inhabitating our own tiny patch of Mother Earth – With the social media we can now network with thousands of people all over the world – basically all at the same time!

(However, the dynamics of building a relationship, getting to know the person or people we are communicating with, doesn’t change.)

Personally, I can’t see how anyone can not be on the social media!

Perhaps you’re thinking that this is just a fad and it will pass away soon as other fads have.

Interestingly, I found a tweet (a short message on Twitter) today from one of the people I follow,
Cindy King, on Twitter about this very topic.

Her link led to a video by Erik Qualman called “The Social Media Revolution”.

I found it a very thought-provoking video.

Take a look at it and then post your thoughts in the comment box. Let’s talk!