SOCIAL NETWORKING…IS A BIG DEAL!!!

By Miguel Lloyd

Its Labor Day weekend 2010 and I have wrapped up my 20 year high school class reunion. Are you kidding me? I’ve been out of high school for 20 years? Funny thing is though, when I look at what else has happened over those 2 decades, there are memories a lot more vivid than who my instructor was in senior english. The fact that I am still seeing Hulk Hogan in that customary 80’s yellow T-Shirt with muscles and Evander Holyfield is still giving out whoppings, seems to put it all in perspective a bit. 20 years is not as long as we think, but still a lot has changed in 20 years.

3 wars, two of which we are still in, the internets rise, fall and rise again, the total reconstruction of the music business into a series of 4 minute commercials that promote products, concerts and largely unattainable lifestyles for 99% of America and probably 99.5% of the world. Americans having been surpassed in the some of the most important aspects of education including math and science. The same disciplines of education that are fueling the internet age that we are in right now. But I digress, this blog is supposed to focus on social media.

Our reunion would not have been what it was without the invention and evolution of social media. We had a third or less of the attendance at our 10th year reunion as we did our 20th. Largely because over the last year, we became so reconnected virtually through social media which is not only on our computers, but in the palm of our hands through every medium imaginable. Pictures taken were quickly posted for the world to see in minutes through our iPhones, Blackberry’s, Droids, etc. Updates of locations and time were shared so everyone knew where to be and when. As a career media professional, messages that would take a week and a budget 5 years ago to disseminate is now shared almost instantly through the virtual network that is our lifelines now.

Although Zuckerman and his fellow visionaries of Facebook, cannot take credit for the invention of social media, they certainly are the leaders in that area right now. I don’t know if you realize this, but their are well over 50 social media outlets with, respectable followings. Interestingly enough, he personally, is still a relative unknown. That will soon change with the release of a not so flattering film, “The Social Network” this fall (http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/techtonic-shifts/2010/05/13/as-facebook-takes-a-beating-a-brutal-movie-is-set-to-make-things-much-worse.html). He’ll truly join the likes of Bill Gates. Billionaires not fighting for more money, but an honorable legacy. Zuckerman says its fiction, and who are we to say that its not. Reality is, most of us won’t care. Social media is to vital to who we are and how we stay connected. Ultimately I believe that it will be more entertainment than it will have an influence of our feeling about the medium.

Here’s the question though, how is it helping you? How is it helping your business grow? How is it helping your ministry or your favorite non-profit? If you are a business owner or person of influence in your business or organization and you’re not using this medium as a means to grow your business and make better use of your marketing budget, you are doing yourself a disservice. Ask yourself this question, if you were to examine your daily habits and rank what mediums have the biggest influence on you and how you gather information, social media will probably be at our near the top. If you doubt me, look at the other mediums that you feel have a greater influence, go to their websites and see how easy it is to become their Facebook friend or follow them on Twitter today.

If you would like help setting up your social media strategy, plans and accounts, contact us today. We would be happy to help you. Info@p2pmediaonline.com