Facebook is Columbus?

To follow-up on the Columbus Monday I realize that Facebook is the Christopher Columbus of social media. My reasoning’s are few:

1. Facebook was not the first to bring social media to users 
2. Publicity has partially made Facebook what it is
3. The beginning tactics are questionable

To elaborate, Columbus as most of us know or I believe was not the first explorer to reach America neither, and nor was Facebook the first to the social community. But, how many remember the 1st’s of either and who will be in the history books?

At the times of Columbus reaching America Europe was going thought change and literacy was increasing and distribution of information was also at the peak of its time. This results in wider knowledge of whats happening i.e Columbus found the New World. Facebook has revolutionized the way we expect to interact with friends and associates in a social network. We are currently in the time of unlimited information and content being published instantly Facebook as risen to the top of people’s places to be.  

It is unclear in history book and historian theory whether or not Columbus was making the voyages for gold, glory, or slave trade, but most think he was going it for the better good of humanity. (This would make him a humanist and he was a staunch Catholic) Likewise, Facebook has had flare-ups on whether Mark Zuckerburg stole the idea from fellow student teams and whether or not the proliferation of information is safe. Both are moot points because look where it going and stopping Facebook will not be easy.

I all accounts there are similarities, but how things will play out are the things we will be reading in history books. Let’s just hope the whole story is told not just the “all smiles and sunshine version” we seem to get in textbooks.

What the F*** is Social Media? Slidecast

I came across this slide cast about “What the F**K is Social Media’” froma friend of mine and its actually pretty good. It was simply detailed so you can pass it along to anyone who is misunderstanding the term or plan out of the loop. However, the title may be a little intimidating there is no profanity (if you care about that sort of thing) I am in Utah so I have to be a little sensitive to cultural boundaries.

Check it out here: http://www.slideshare.net/mzkagan/what-the-fk-social-media?from=email&type=share_slideshow&subtype=slideshow

Teach Me

I was talking with a past journalism/PR professor of mine and I was amazed to hear that social media is not being taught at most Universities. This lack of understanding and teaching I believe is where a lot of the PR vs. Blogger problems start. These eager PR/marketing newly grads are finding positions and employers saying, “we hear all about this social media, and we want it,” or vice verse and the recent grad telling the employer, “I have this cool networking (insert popular network name here) and think we should be participating.” Both of these situations is great in that both parties are willing to participate and are understanding the changing environment we are working in, but there is one small problem. The lack of knowledge.

This is were a little guidance early in the education process could be beneficial. Most have learned this information on the fly, but the up and comers don’t have too. We can impart the knowledge gathered in the race to find out what exactly can be done with social environments and their power. This knowledge could help repair the bond between bloggers and PR professionals and instead of making the same mistakes over and over again and not breaking down this barrier the battle will only continue.

For all the Univeristies out there not adding social media to the journalism or communication programs out there you need to change. Teaching students the basic skills involved with these mediums is essential for building these relationships. 

I am sure this is common concern, but I wanted to add my two cents because obviously there has continued to be a lack of adoption.

Social Fatigue

At the Digital Impact Conference I attended June 9-10 an interesting discussion ended the day with Business Stephen E. Ante. The questions was asked with economy as it is and venture capitalists tightening up will the social media bubble will burst? (similar to that of the .com bubble)

Ante’s response to this was probably not and if it does it will not be in the neat future. His reason are because most of these networks are not public trading companies so there is little public interest and money at risk. This makes sense because as long as VC’s are willing to provide financial backing the public’s intrest is purely on finding friends and joining the community. Ante also mentioned that this is still a hot area of VC’s to invest. The sense I came away with is that while social networks are a great benefit to participants there could come a day when social fatigue sets in and participants will be spread too thin and interest will be lost.

Another conference attendee noted that ”social plague” could drive communities away. In this case the reference social plague refers to social networks becoming overwhelmed with ads and marketing material as PR and marketing professionals become more proficient in these spaces. If this happens will everyone run? In my opinion this could potentially happen, but before it does I would suspect another platform will come available to run to. The more likely scenario will be staying status quo and PR and marketing people will continue to be strong armed and treated harshly to keep rookies away and relationships strong. 

More Than a Recommendation

Social tools have become less like recommendations or reviews to friends and have become a fountain of information that can be found anywhere covering anything. With the emergence of blogs, Facebook groups, and review sites like Yelp searchers can stubble on upon personal opinion about a product or organization in question.

Now enters the corporate bloggers. Corporate blogging is something that is catching on in the blogosphere slowly, but surely. Why would an organization not want to beat the end-user to the punch in product review? Whobetter to review the offering than the creator? However, there is a catch. As an organization you have to be willing to take a few punches and have a set of processes in tact for inflammatory comments. As an organization you have to be willing to be transparent and honest with your customer base. If there has been one thing proven its bloggers and customer are not stupid and can see through the curtain.

There is an inherent risk with corporate blogging but, the opportunity is great and benefits can be noticed early in the cycle. With a corporate blog you have open customer service which benefits everyone, a platform to openly talk about your offerings (yes, even there short comings), and transform your website into a personal experience for clients/customers. 

The value is there, but are you willing to be honest with yourself and your customers?