Social Media: A HERO or VILLAIN

Social Media is increasingly becoming the predominant and a principal way people obtain their information. One of the main reasons for its popularity over a short span of time is often linked to its easy accessibility and high potential of being easily customized.

Scanna Bar: Retrieved on 12 April 2012.

In the start of the term I was reluctant to portray myself as an active user of social media. However, during the past four months I have learned how to use the social media as an effective and essential tool to portray myself and connect with people across the globe. 

Platforms like Facebook, Twitter prior to this semester were just sources of connecting with friends on regular basis and obtaining general information. Getting to know their whereabouts was the only concern I had. However, during the span of this semester; I learned how to use these tools as assets. The Facebook page build during one of the lab activities enabled me to represent my voice and my interests. Long before I became an active user of Twitter, I used to obtain most of the information through the news channels such as BBC and CNN to stay updated. After I became familiar with Twitter, I realized that it is more convenient to achieve same information whether I have an access to the computer or on the go with my smart phone. Even though some people argue that Twitter platform only allows summarizing the information using 140 characters, I beg to differ from this point of view. I believe it enables us to engage more efficiently in the conversation, and keeps us up-to-date. It helps us analyze the global phenomenon within the moment, and gain perspective of people across the globe.

 

In addition to these platforms, LinkedIn and micro-blogging also encouraged me to build a stronger network where I can follow people who have same interests. They helped me network with people in the industry; obtain their opinions and constructive feedback on how to build an appealing resume when applying for jobs. Before the beginning of this semester I interpreted the use of micro-blogging as not an effective approach to relay the information. But with the passage of time I realized that it is in fact one of the most efficient tools in social media which is capable of reflecting my voice, opinions and gaining attention from various employers.

Word Cloud: Retrieved on 13 April 2012

 

The proper use of social media has enabled me to not only use the information as a consumer but be an active part of it and share it with other people across the globe. For instance, the use of micro blogging, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have helped me develop my interpersonal skills and improved my networking skills about ten folds.

 

Seo Wizadry  Identifies the basic sources of social media as well as works as an effective ice breakers when it comes to beginners. The source also depicts various platforms and the importance of how these tools can play a crucial role in networking and self portrayal to the general public. Use of these social media tools also encourage the act of self-actualization among general public.

 

 

The top five blog posts which I thought were engaging and most reflective to all the Social media activities are as follows:

Jacinta Lin

Lindsay Gervais 

Jasveer Brar 

Kelsey Rutar

Danielle Lu

 

Even though the beginning seemed brutal and cunning, towards the end of this memorable course, I would like to express that it was one of the most encouraging courses.Imagine no textbooks, no quizzes, and no exams; yet most challenging and engaging course I have ever undertaken. The social media tools that I could not use during these months will most definitely be used in the upcoming ventures of my life after graduation. 

* TO END IT ALL*   A big Thanks to everyone who I have interacted over the course of last four months, and whoever has provided constructive feedback.

Marketing Strategies & Social Media

Personal Insights:                               

For the free post I wanted to share my insights on the extensive yet effective use of social media by the multinational corporations. I chose to write about this topic due to my interest in Business and marketing strategies adopted by the global industries to promote their commodities. Through out the semester, I have been able to learn about various aspects of the social media.These social media tools if put to proper use can prove to be very efficient and rewarding which can improve the economic well being of the society, hence raising the living standards.

Background

Within the last century the use of social media to promote the products has emerged like a trend which has taken the world by storm. Social media has not only been able to promote a product among the consumers more effectively, but also played crucial role in stabilizing the economy and social welfare of a country.

Multinational corporations & use of social media.

 

 Circle Social Media:  Retrieved on 12 April 2012

Multinational corporations such as Ford and GM not only affect the economy by manufacturing efficient automotive products but they also have tendency to impact the political, environmental and cultural forces as well. Due to the globalization and development of social media within the past century it has become simpler for these multinational corporations to outreach the consumers and have a direct impact. For instance, the Perscommon use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube has enabled these corporations to execute flawless use of marketing strategies to promote their products.

One optimistic approach that Ford uses to promote their new line of  products is the efficient use of YouTube. This enables the consumers a fair chance to analyze the product before the purchase and create an opinion about the product. The constructive feedback from the consumers further allow the manufactures to implement any necessary changes needed to adapt according to the newer trends of the global market and  satisfy the consumers need.

Rafael Grillo on his blog (Marketing Strategy by Ford) depicts the marketing strategies implemented by Ford as a capitalizing event which not only renewed the company's pride but also helped the country's economy to emerge from recession. He emphasizes on the use of innovative social media tools such as YouTube. In addition, he puts forth the social media`s capability to influence people across the globe and make consumers aware of the newer technologies and environmental friendly approaches to improve the environment.

Apart from my free post, I found Kelsey Rutar's blog shared somewhat same beliefs and ideas about the communication skills being changed over the past century. She emphasized on the efficient use of internet and other social media platforms. Her blog also depicts the crucial role social media plays in educating students and providing them with a basic knowledge about various networking schemes to connect with the real world.

Wikipedia Writting Experiment

 This past week we unraveled the mystery of how to edit any existing information on Wikipedia and acknowledge the original resources. People across the globe access the Wikipedia server for various reasons. Editing process may seem a little ordinary and limited in the beginning, but it works for all sorts of information to be delivered to the targeted audiences.There are few contradicting views on Wikipedia's credibility such as, being a reliable source of information.

Even though the information shared on Wikipedia, is constantly scrutinized, and considered to be less reliable source of information. I believe that Wikipedia is a credible source of information and a widely accepted phenomenon. It contains various striking features which differentiate it from other sources of information available. One prominent difference that distinguishes the Wikipedia form the competition is the easy accessibility. It can be edited with a lot more ease as compared to the articles featured in journals and peer reviewed papers which tend to scrutinize the topic of research. Wikipedia does not necessarily provide the minute details and cover all the aspects of article or topic of discussion; however, it correlates the basic information that is sufficient to start the discussion on numerous occasions.

In addition to the easy access and wide distribution of the information on Wikipedia; the major concern that worries the researchers is the reliability factor of the information provided. Since, anybody can access the information and edit it anytime with any information. Wikipedia is often under limelight due to its overall popularity and growth, accuracy, and potential to become the new face of research worldwide. It is always under strict regulations and continuous monitoring that helps it survive and stay stable for longer periods of time.

My Topic of choice was olfactory fatigue. Even though not a lot of information is available on Wikipedia about this article, the concept of olfactory fatigue and loss of appetite from smelling food are linked for quite sometime now.  It was interesting to find out how coffee can help us rejuvenate the appetite which fades away after constant smelling of same food. and share the information over internet.

 Apart from my blog post,I found  Jasveer Brar's post quite enthralling . He research covers on food choices and age playing an important part  as a deciding factor was quite impressing. It could be true that due to out perception or habits we decide what to eat and our choices describe us in our society.

For further references and curiosity I have included the links that were used in the reserach.

Link to Jasveer's Blog

Blog Post: http://jessiebales204.blogspot.ca/

Link to article of research:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=olfactory%20and%20dorri

* Image was taken after editing of the wikipedia page for references purposes only. *Acknowledgements have been provided for all the information uses.

Face Book page

My FaceBook Page

The main reason to make facebook page was to connect with people. Community that always stays connected with one another whether through twitter, Facebook or any other web browsing phenomena. People are always searching for business, fancy deals, and better promotions;using search engines for new business or to promote their business. It connects and keeps you updated with the worldwide trends that might be popular and at times important to you.It will be essential for the business and promoting all the products associated with it.

Its More Effective Than A Website....

Most Facebook users use Facebook at least once or sometimes twice per day. This means that most of potential customers for any business will be using Facebook at least once per day. When I have a Facebook page for my business or career, customers will automatically see anything posted on the page every time they jump on Facebook.  New products, specials, new services, new menu, new range, events, photos, new staff, new entertainment etc...Anything that I want customers will know even if they do not contact me directly.With a Facebook Page, it is easier to  maintain an interactive online presence and keep the business in the forefront of your customers' minds.

Furthermore, on the  Facebook page, this communication practice will appear in the updates, and the customers will have the opportunity to "like" a post by clicking a "like" button.  When they do, this will appear in their friend's news feeds, and their friends will see the link to your post.If you have 100 fans, and they each have 100 facebook friends, this will mean that 10,000 people will potentially see the link to the post that my  fans liked.  10,000 opportunities for new customers.

Lindsay Geravis and Juliana Lackowicz  blogs were substantial in describing what advantages one could have of having an online resume and connecting with people through social media. The links to the blogs are as follows:

http://julielacko.blogspot.com/

http://lindsaygervais.blogspot.com/

There is a huge variety of articles and books about social media use and abuse. This journal particularly caught my attention. 

Building a personal brand through social networking.

Link >> http://ejournals.ebsco.com

Direct.asp?AccessToken=95IQ9IQ8XQMPEUEM1Q1IMUQ5I4U98QJ1I1&Show=Object

** The above link was take from University of Alberta library website. You might have to access your CCID and Password to access the information.