Social Media: How Were They Formed?

Social Media: How Were They Formed?

Welcome back my fellow bloggers!  This week’s topic will focus on the formation of Social Media sites and their impact whether good or bad.  Let’s begin our discussion with defining what social media is.  According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word social is “of or relating to human society, the interaction of the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society.  The word media means a medium of cultivation, conveyance, or expression.  Media is also a plural form of medium and a medium is a particular form or system of communication.”  Communication and interaction with others are very vital to us as a community.   To sum it up, social media refers to the interaction among people in which they create, share and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.  The systems depend on mobile and web-based technologies to create large interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, converse, and modify user-generated content.  Social media gives you the ability to influence and or communicate whether positive or negative, whether good or bad, whether deserving or not deserving.

Let’s take a moment to examine the history of some of the most popular social media sites. 

Facebook

Facebook was founded in 2004 and is one of the top social media networks around.  It was initially formed for a group of students at Harvard University but later the website was opened up to anyone over the age of 13.  Prior to using the site the user must register and create a profile.  Facebook currently has over one billion active users.  

Twitter

Twitter is another on-line social networking service that allows users to send “tweets” which are just like text messages.  You also have to be registered for this site in order to read and post tweets.  It was created in March of 2006 and currently has 500 million registered users. 

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is more of a professional networking tool for those people in professional occupations.  It was launched in 2003 and has 259 million users.  It has been noted as one of the most successful startup companies through cultural impact and growth.

Pinterest

Pinterest is used for discovering new things and is utilized to collect ideas for different projects and other stuff that you love or your interest.  This site is also used to build, cook, organize and share the things you love.  You can also plan trips and projects, organize events or save articles and recipes.

Google Plus

Google Plus is the second-largest social networking site in the world after Facebook.  As a matter of fact, Google Plus is a lot like Facebook but with many more features.  It was reported as having 540 million monthly active users.

Tumblr

Tumblr has blogging capabilities and is also a social networking site founded and owned by Yahoo.  The service allows users to post multimedia and other content to a “short-form” blog. Much of the website's features are accessed from the dashboard interface, this is mostly where the option to post content and posts of other followed blogs will appear.  Tumblr was reported as having over 170.2 million blogs.

Instagram

Instagram is an online photo-sharing, video-sharing and social network service that enables its users to take pictures and videos, apply digital filters to them, and share them on a variety of social networking services. Users are also able to record and share short videos lasting for up to 15 seconds.  Instagram was launched in October 2010. The service rapidly gained popularity, with over 100 million active users during 2012.

Flickr

Flickr is another image hosting and video hosting website, In addition to being a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs, the service is widely used by photo researchers and by bloggers to host images that they embed in blogs and other social media.

VK

VK is the second biggest social network service in Europe after Facebook, of course.  It is available in several languages, but particularly popular among Russian-speaking users around the world.  VK allows users to message contacts publicly or privately, create groups, public pages and events, share and tag images, audio and video, and play browser-based games. As of January 2014^[update], VK had at least 239 million accounts.

Myspace

Myspace is a social networking service with a strong music emphasis owned by Specific Media LLC and pop music singer and actor Justin Timberlake. Myspace was launched in August 2003 and as of June 2013^[update], Myspace was ranked 303 by total web traffic, and 223 in the United States.

Tagged

Tagged is a social discovery website founded in 2004. It allows members to browse the profiles of other members, play games and share tags and virtual gifts. Tagged is reported to have 100 million members.

Ask.fm

Ask.fm is a Latvia-based social networking website where users can ask other users questions, with the option of anonymity. The site was launched on June 16, 2010. Founded as a rival to Spring.me.  It has since overtaken it in terms of worldwide traffic generated. Ask.fm was created in June 2010. The service rapidly gained worldwide popularity, with 80 million registered users in 2013.  Ask.fm is now one of the 200 most visited websites in the world.

The presence of Social Media is certainly very popular these days and can be a rich and insightful boost to your social media marketing plans and goals.  It has the power to influence and can either be a positive impact or negative impact on you or your organization.  Not all social media is driven by the same purpose, most of these sites are very different but all have the power to influence the reader with whatever niche it aims to.

Media: Communication Trends and Habits

Welcome back to my blog! Today’s topic will focus on Media and Communication Trends and Habits. 

As technology continues to advance so does the world of media and communication.  In the old days of conducting business, people wrote letters to clients and face to face meetings were held with each other.  Today’s world of communication has changed drastically.  In the ever evolving world of communication we have a variety of communication trends and devices being introduced into society.  These rapidly advancing technologies are already dramatically changing how we communicate with each.  Along with this variety of communication trends comes a large demographic of users most of which are technology savvy.  Let’s take a look at the generation z for a moment.

Today’s high school age group have grown up with computers and cell phones and most don’t remember not having them.  This age group are the ultimate digitized consumers.  Most of this age groups communication is though text messages, cellphones, tweets, and instant messages.  This group lives in the social media world.  More communication habits are leading toward text, Facebook messages, video chats, twitter, DM, etc. rather than the old traditional email.  This generation is using technology in a way that is smarter and more innovated that ever.  They are engaging, contributing, sharing and learning on open platforms in pursuit of greater potential and connectedness. 

Communication is an integral part of life and being able to communicate effectively is very important.  Good communication is the key to all human activity.  It is necessary for learning, exchanging information, and generally taking care of each other.  Our views on reading of the paper or doing research have basically become very different largely because of the internet and other resources available to us.  And so do our views of communication in general.  Continually advancing technology is bringing about dramatic changes in the communication trends all over the world. The message from these new and innovative communication trends is that society is always seeking more effective ways to communicate and to get their message across.

Increasing social medial platforms such as Google, Google Plus, Pinterest and Linkedin are becoming really mainstream these days.  The future is set to be big for social media users and those that are savvier with advertising across all platforms and markets.

In a recent study conducted by Adobe it shows that social media marketing remains very vibrant in most marketing areas for years to come. That study had five social media marketing trends to focus on for 2014: Facbook vs. Twitter, Snap Chat Marketing, Google Plus, Collaborative Mainstreaming, and Videos.  The study went on to say:

1. FACEBOOK vs. TWITTER

“Is Twitter better than Facebook with its 1.18 billion users, of which close to 58% are active daily, with an average of 20 minutes per day, Facebook is certainly not disappearing anytime soon but it has reached a certain plateau, with some decreases within the younger generations.

Twitter has become a public company that will send the 7 year-old platform into the limelight.  A study by Pew Internet & American conducted earlier this year found that more and more teenagers were jumping ship from Facebook to Twitter and Instagram, in great part “because there is less drama”. It’s also easier to push pass parents’ radars and have a more secretive approach on Twitter.  

2. SNAPCHAT MARKETING

Snapchat, is a new and trendy mobile application that sends out messages (text, photo or short video), called “snaps”, that auto-destruct after a short moment of time, between 1 to 10 seconds depending on how the snap was set up. As of April 2013, its 5 million active users were uploading over 150 million photos per day. The mere fact that snaps get deleted from the server after their time limit explains why so many people are embracing this new app.

3. GOOGLE+

A study published on emarketer found that Google+ had now over 540 million active users, making it number two worldwide after Facebook. Google+ remains a very important part of the digital world. The question that lingers is whether Google+ will gain more mainstream attention, i.e. get folks to stick around longer, and that much sought-after time spent on the platform in order to draw advertisers and marketers attention.

4. COLLABORATIVE GOES MAINSTREAM

In the past decade, with user-generated content platforms such as TripAdvisor or Yelp, individuals have had the ability and power that comes from bypassing traditional channels to voice concerns and feedback. But now, one can truly observe how the collaborative economy is truly a disruptor in the travel industry, among others. New technologies now make it so much easier for people to deal directly with other people, in what some also call the peer-to-peer movement.

In the travel sphere, we are already seeing guided tours, transportation alternatives, home-cooked meals hosted by locals and of course the very lucrative business of renting out rooms, apartments or unique accommodation outside of traditional channels. But this trend is not unique to travel & hospitality: folks can now borrow working tools from peers, rather than buying them from local known retailers.

5. VIDEOS

 

Videos should continue their upward ascent in the social media marketing toolbox hierarchy. In particular short videos. YouTube shows no sign of fatigue, all the contrary in fact with its 100 hours of video uploaded every hour. Videos (along with blogs & podcasts) were indeed already identified as the hot marketing trends to look out for. And we are now seeing more and more companies embrace these short videos as quick, inexpensive and efficient ways to tell their brand story. Without a doubt, this is one trend we can expect to continue to grow in 2014.”

This article really put such a great perspective on the trends in today’s media and communication arena.  As we have discussed in previous posts and other assignments these areas are definitely the focus of current and future trends.

Hope you enjoyed today’s post and as always your comments and feedback are welcome.

 

Vision: An Element of Leadership

Week Five Blog:  Vision an Element of Leadership

Welcome back to my blog! Today’s topic will focus on organizational visions and whether or not a vision is considered to be an element of leadership? 

When I think about a written vision and how visions are given as a blueprint for the future, I am quickly reminded that there is an old biblical scripture that says “where there is no vision, the people shall perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18).  And, the bible goes on to say “write the vision, and make it plan upon tables, that he may run that reads it, for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:2-3).  In bringing this into perspective as it pertains to leadership, these scriptures give us the foundation that we as individuals, organizations, groups, teams and councils and use to help us model our vision with a leadership focus.  So, these scriptures also tell us that whether organizational vision statements, professional vision statements or personal vision statements there are three important functions to glean: (1) those in which you lead need the vision or their efforts will fail to achieve anything of long-lasting value (2) Your vision must be written in clear, plain language so that your team of people will be able to run with its meaning and (3) a vision refers to some appointed time in the future and through it appears to be delayed in coming, it will eventually become your reality.  Visions hold up the mirror of the future and enable people to see potential.  It has to have a strong foundation in order to have a chance of future success. 

What is a Vision?

The vision is the way we see the how, the when, the where and the what.  It is the vivid description of a desired outcome that inspires, energizes and helps you to create a mental picture of your target.  While most leaders engage in several critical processes, the vision is probably the most valuable within the process.  Although shared vision is clearly a critical element of effective leadership, visionary leaders provide a glimpse into the future.  Within organizations the vision is first developed through some type of dialogue and in most cases is shared in many forms.  Communicating the vision is a key to instilling shared meaning and purpose.  Communicating regarding the vision is used to excite, inspire, motivate and unify both followers and leaders.  The communication is a two way sharing process of elevating the purpose of the vision, building relationships and shaping the culture of the organization. 

Why is Vision Critical?

The vision is critical and required in order to achieve results.  It is dependent upon communication, building relationships and developing a supporting organization culture.  According to the Leaders Direct newsletter, it is thought to be necessary for leadership because we tend to idealize leaders.  That is why we always think of the greatest leaders we can image in when we are asked to define leadership.  We typically don’t think of the front-line supervisors as prime example of what it means to lead.  Why do we place so much emphasis on the larger-than-life heroic types?  Because our concept of leadership is driven by our needs to leaders, not by what leadership really means.

Leadership does require vision which means having a complete understanding for the big picture of where the leader wants to be.  A leadership guru by the name of Stan Slap “says that the vision should be a better place that where we are today.  It should be a clearly communicable picture of the future, steeped in value, and philosophy, as well as structure.  A clear vision provides direction and established purpose”.  I find this to be a valid point of view which might even be very similar to the scriptures that I previously referred to. 

A written vision is produced by a leader to instruct and often time reveals the legacy that a particular leader wants to leave behind.  It is basically the heartbeat of the leader and it shows those that come after the current leader, an idea of the focus that was trying to be reach.  Vision statements are often time written and infused with passion which inspires others.  It is blueprint of the leaders thought process and considered to be the best possible outcome a project or goal.   When we become familiar with what is possible, we begin to realize that dreams can be achieved and challenges can be overcome and most of all problems can be solved.  A vision puts words to a leader’s passion in whatever capacity that may be and causes action to occur. When a leader writes a vision they want to ensure that it is there for future generations and that it is something others are able to glean from.  A vision is also a teaching tool that will help future generations to not repeat past mistakes.

In conclusion, I believe that I have shown that research supports the opinion that vision is without a doubt an element of leadership. Although, utilizing the vision as a leadership tool can be a little challenging at times, but if the main focus is depended upon you can promote a desired change and align those within your organization to line up within the scope of your vision.   So as you can see vision and leadership provides the destination for getting to the end result.  Effective planning is impossible without the vision. 

Hope you enjoyed today’s post, as always your comments and feedback are welcome.