Photo by Thomas Hawk
It is a fact that social media has tremendously changed the way people interact and carry on with their everyday lives. With internet becoming a necessity in every home or office, majority of people who are online spend most of their time on social media sites. In addition, the rise in popularity of smart phones has also increased the number of people and the time spent on social media. With these phones, it is not a must for one to have a PC or laptop to be online.
News Delivery
One way social media is playing a great role in our lives is the way news is delivered. The digital age has seen a drop in the amount of newspapers sold and the number of people reading these news sources. A high number of people prefer to access their profiles on social media first before visiting news sites. The reason for this is that friends and followers on social media platforms have become trusted source for news compared to traditional sources.
Social media has greatly affected the way people spend their leisure time. Gone are the days when people frequented parks or libraries during their free time. However, with the rise in social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, more and more people are logging in everyday just to interact and share information with friends and followers. Moreover, social media has also changed the way people socialize and interact with each other. Even though a large number of people still meet each other or new people through traditional venues such as cafes, parks and so on, more people are discovering friends via social media.
Social Media and Networking
Social media not only helps people stay in touch with existing contacts, but also aids in the formation of new alliances. These alliances are usually with people that share common interests. These social networks open up the possibilities of discovering and learning new information, sharing ideas and interacting with others. Social media such as LinkedIn allows people to create professional networks that help them search for jobs or get tips on how to enhance their careers. With such networks, people are spending less time looking for jobs through newspapers and are turning to social media.
Importance in Marketing
Marketers have discovered the great potential of social media when it comes to reaching potential clients. It is common to find companies with Facebook pages and Twitter accounts using them as a way of interacting with clients. Some companies have even created special accounts for solving customer problems and handling their complaints. Social media is also being used as a way of attracting new clients and promoting products and services.
Social media has also changed the influence that people have. For instance, celebrities such as Oprah have millions of followers on social media and this increases her reach and power when it comes to influencing others. Video sites such as YouTube have played a big role in opening up the lives of people who previously had little following. Social media has definitely transformed the way people interact and share ideas with each other.
