Social Media: It's Everywhere .... Or Is It?

We had a discussion in class on yesterday about the use of social media by businesses. A major focus of my lecture and the subsequent discussions was on the types of businesses that are using social networks and the objectives for using these tools. We looked at the strategies used by companies such as Kodak, Apple, Target and Honda. All somewhat different, but seemed to enhance their marketing strategy and their customer reach.

The general consensus was that social media is showing up everywhere and being used by more and more individuals and now businesses. As the conversation progressed we also determined that there are some businesses and organizations where social media may not be appropriate, such as human service agencies and that there are many people who have not, and have no intentions of, embracing social media outlets.

So you wonder who is using and who is not? According to a YouTube video entitled "The Social Media Revolution" the fastest growing segment of Facebook users are females between the ages of 55-65. What? OK let's move on. Another statistic that I found interesting is that while it would take 38 years to reach 50 million users via radio it only takes about 9 months to reach 50 million users ("friends") on Facebook.

If you check out the "Social Media Revolution" video you will note that the widespread and fast growing use of social media is mind boggling. More importantly the way in which it has changed the landscape of how we communicate and receive information would have been unimaginable 15 years ago when Internet was a youngster. At the end of the video the question is asked "Do you still think Social Media is a Fad?" Well no I don't, but possibly we will agree that it is not yet everywhere and used by everybody and that's OK. However at the end of the day it is a major player in the way in which content/media is distribution

DD

To view the "Social Media Revolution" video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVXKI506w-E