In 2006 the US newsmagazine The Time appointed You the person of the year. This was an abstract choice, which represented all the individual content creators on the web, i.e. you and me. It’s almost 2010 now, but The Time‘s choice is probably more accurate than ever before. Social media, web 2.0 and social interaction seems to be word combinations on everyone’s lips these days; we all want to be a part of this giant cocktail party in one way or other.
But what does it mean to be person of the year? Does this imply some sort of responsibility? I think it does. I think it is important that we make use of this new technology and, more importantly, learn how to use it wisely.
Let me take an example. I assume that most of the people reading this will be students at the Media and Communication program of Jönköping University, since this blog is part of a course at that program, so I am addressing this example to you. Why should you care about social media? I have three reasons.
1. To keep up to date. You can watch over the development in the fields that are of interest to you and keep a check on the branch you wish to work in when you have finished your education. As a student of media and communication, you are probably interested in things such as journalism and pr, and you could use for example blogs and micro blogging services to find relevant content about these subjects. Let the news find you, not the other way round.
2. To network. Use for example micro blogging services to make connections. This will benefit you in both your private life and in your future professional role. Via these networking tools you have the opportunity to come in direct contact with a great number of interesting people who you probably not would have had the opportunity to get to talk to if it hadn’t been for these communication services. Listen to and learn from these people.
3. To spread your message. Social media is an effective way to spread your message. You can easily distribute content to the people who have chosen to read what you write (or say, if you are more into podcasting). If you have something to say, you should say it. It has never been easier to distribute your thoughts to potentially a world audience.
Do you want to be the person of the year? Come and join the cocktail party.
I definitely can see some great opportunities in social networking, because with a large amount of contacts you will have great possibilities when it comes to job searching and so on. But can you see any negative aspects with social media, not only for us as individuals but also for companies represented on the same sites?
I can’t really say that I see any negative aspects with social media, no. Not if you use it in an appropriate way. Any individual or company that wants to use social media should of course ask themselves why they want to use it. If you can answer these question, I think that you’re on the right track:
Why do we want to use social media?
Which tools should we use? We don’t have to be present in all kinds of social media, but we use the kinds that suits our purpose.
How should we act in social media? Should we try to be transparent, active and to participate? Is there any point in using social media if we aren’t transparent, active and we don’t participate?
Hope that this answer gave some clarity on where I stand regarding social media.
I think you’ve done a great summary with keep up to date, network and spread your message, and after reading your answer to Kim I also get your point of view about the negative aspects. I agree with you, as long as you use it in a appropiate way it isn’t so many negative sides, but I do think that it in some way can go too far.
I totally agree with you in your article! It’s extremely important to use social media wisely!
I like your comparison to a cocktail party! Very nice ending! In my point of view you should say what you want to say, it’s easy like you write in this article, but, you should always watch your back! One can never know if it has negative effects in the future. I can also say that I love social media! Very well done!