It’s probably the most popular business tool across the planet these days and no one can really claim the full credit for himself. In fact, on and offline, it’s the biggest phenomenon this decade has seen. It’s the blue print for the future. Yes, it’s social media.
Across the globe’s five continents, from the wealthiest Europeans to the poorest Africans, everyone knows Facebook; everybody has heard of Twitter. That’s no surprise. A quick check on Google reveals the keyword social media pulls up over 200,000,000 hits and rising. And if old-school giants like The New York Times would create and fill a position specifically for its social media, that says a lot about the impact it has across the globe.
The Facebook Phenomenon
From its launch at a Harvard dorm room in early 2004 to its current posh headquarters in Palto Alto, California, Facebook has gone a long way. Its growth is exponential, from nearly 1 million sign-ups in December 2004 to its current over 300 million active users that log a staggering 8 billion minutes daily. This isn’t so surprising if you consider Facebook’s features – it’s friendly both to the regular users, as well as to the techie IT guys interested in the backend of things.
Navigation is easy with Facebook. Features essential to user experience are found right across the top of a user’s profile page. Other networking features and third party applications users add to their page are found on the bottom left of the profile page, notifications and chat on the bottom right. It’s virtually everything a user needs and wants – all in one page. And if you look through Facebook’s developer features, its programming allows easy integration of Facebook into your own personal or business website.
The Twitter Mania
On a micro-blogging scale, Twitter rules the day. What used to be just a fun way of keeping your family and friends connected via short personal updates exchanged throughout the day, has become part of this emerging multi-billion dollar online industry.
Hollywood actors and other celebrities are giving their fans a more personal touch through their Twitter networks. Hasn’t Paula Abdul first announced her retirement from American Idol to her Twitter network? Ahston Kutcher, Demi Moore, Miley Cyrus, John Mayer – they’re just among the long line of stars who update their Twitter status pretty regularly. And oh, it’s not just about gossipy fan things. Ashton plugs his favorite charities on Twitter. Demi Moore and other celebs used it to encourage their fans to help typhoon victims in the Philippines.
Social Media and CNN
Think people are the only ones getting hooked to Social Media networking? Think again! If the ultimate in old-school TV is a live stream available to everyone on the globe, social media has proved it is the vehicle that makes that possible. And yet as I flipped through the varies ‘channels’ broadcasting Barack Obama’s inauguration on the 20th of January 2009, it is without a doubt that the best viewer experience was at CNN Live with Facebook.
If that’s not impressive, CNN is among the first to use Social Media and Web 2.0 to reach more audience across the globe. Head over to its site and you’ll see a line of expansive features from bookmarking options, basic RSS and videos you can embed to your own Facebook wall or to your website. In 2008, CNN has launched its new iReport.com website with unedited, unfiltered, user-generated content website. This has totally taken citizen journalism to greater heights.
And CNN isn’t the only one. Practically all news organizations around the world now – NYTimes, BBC, Fox News, to name a few – has begun to appreciate the explosive power Social Media brings to their business. If you thought Ian Thorpe’s ‘Impossible is Nothing’ is just an endorsement tag line for Addidas, think again! Indeed, Social Media is the future.
