In my free time I try to stay up-to-date in news and politics around the world. I do this through my two favorite sources Newsweek and CNN. The two media outlets often publish articles, blogs or have news stories on the topic of Social Networking (SN). I selected an article and a blog that I found interesting on the topic of SN.
Breeanna Hare, who is a Writer/Producer at CNN, writes the article I found from CNN.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/10/13/social.networking.class/
The articles main topic of discussion focuses on which type of people use which social networking sites and some of the reasons why they choose their selected platform. I think that it is very interesting that people naturally segment themselves by social class to a degree. This article points out that the users of MySpace are more likely to be younger, poorer and blue-collared type workers. While the users of Facebook tend to be older, wealthier, and work in nicer jobs. The users of Linkedin go one-step further up the social latter and have a base that consists of mostly white-collared professionals. The article states that, “ almost 38% of Linkedin users earn more then $100,000 a year.”
The strongest quote in the article for me is, “The Internet is not this great equalizer that rids us of the problems of the physical world -- the Internet mirrors and magnifies them. The divisions that we have in everyday life are going to manifest themselves online." This is a very important observation of what is happening with Internet based social networks. By having a platform that is traceable hard evidence of how people interact with each other and naturally segregate themselves companies can find ways to utilize this information to their advantage. This is a marketing dream for most companies that in the past would not know what current trends are occurring and in what different segments of demographics there customers associate with.
Companies currently and in the future will find it very beneficial to be able to have employees that are on these sites so that they will be able to stay current with trends and know what the population they are focusing on is doing. In the next few years if these sites truly mirror how society really works it will become easier and easier for companies to find and track the habits of their customers. This can give them important information so that they can stay current and not become outdated or obsolete. Some companies will even use it as a way of advertising. From my own personal experience I have two friends that run a restaurant and they often communicate to all of their Facebook friends when special events are taking place and when there are drink specials. For them it is the cheapest, fastest, and best way to communicate to their customer base.
Kate Dailey, who is an Articles Editor at Newsweek and runs the blog titled “The Human Condition”, wrote the blog that I also found interesting and related to SN.
This blog makes many good observations on how SN sites are affecting relationships amongst people. They are being used in new ways, like mass communication of tragic and important events. An example of this would be postings about a death in the family or a birthday of a relative. The blog also reinforces the previously discussed article and states, “Rather than opening us up to a global community, it is putting us into groups.” Dailey uses this quote in her blog to enhance her point that she doesn’t make more friends by using Facebook but can stay in closer contact with acquaintances that before she would only maybe meet at a wedding or reunion.
Social networking sites are becoming more and more an important aspect of how humans interact. It will become increasingly important in the future for companies to find ways to tap into this social change.
Jeff Tomer
1 comment:
Sorry I didn't comment sooner. I like the choice of articles. You say it will become more important for companies "to tap into this social change." What I would have liked is to see a bit more reflection on how the mirroring and magnifying is reshaping or will reshape people's lives beyond marketing or staying in touch with friends.
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