With all the changes being made in the social spaces over the past couple of years it really can be hard to keep up. Unfortunately, many business people are not keeping up and are lagging behind in keeping up on how their Social Media campaigns change when the social spaces change.
There are three huge changes in social networking over the past year which, according to what I see going on in the social spaces, many business people are not aware of. Here is a quick Update:
1. Twitter is dying
There is no need in beating a deadhorse..sorry for the pun. Much has been reported by many on why Twitter is Dead.
Since it’s launch the popularity of Twitter has been a mystery. Conceptually Twitter would appear to a business as a place they could get their message out to a large number of people who are trapped at their computer or on their cellphones. In reality, the appeal of pitching a product in less than 140 characters to billions is what killed Twitter.
The millions of businesses and thoughtless self promoters who hammered the Twitter feed with SPAM shutdown the interest of most consumers or business executives who just do not have time…or think more of themselves..to spend wading through dribble and Tweets of people checking into on Foursquare to announce they are entering a restroom.
As a result the majority…vast majority…of people who view Twitter are not seeing any value to using Twitter to keep in touch with their contacts.
Over the past year, the realities of Twitter have been seen by millions of business people..as well as people interested in how they spend their time online…as a place for time-bandits to reside. This is resulting in Twitter being a place to Not Be!
Of course, most of the large businesses and traditional mainstream icons of the business world who waited too long to enter Twitter are now making lame attempts to justify their existence on Twitter with tons of unverifiable stats produced showing their success on Twitter.
As it is true, there are some advantages to being on Twitter, the small list of reasons for using Twitter really does not justify the time when there are more productive social spaces.
2. Facebook Has Jumped the Shark
Yes, the stable icon of social networking that set the pace for many online social networks, and is part of the lives of many who grew up with Facebook, has started its descent into mediocrity. As social-social network goes, Facebook is King…as far as a platform for quality-social networking Facebook is slipping to number two or three as effective use of time.
There are many people still under the impression that business networking in a purely social network is the ultimate in social media for their business. However, today, promoting your business on Facebook is like trying to sell something to your brother-n-law…it just is not that productive.
As is the case in most endeavors that have been around too long, they start trying to find new ways to make something old look new and exciting..Jumping the Shark as it is called.
Facebook remains the best place to communicate effectively with personal friends and family, but for businesses it is like giving a powerpoint presentation at the Thanksgiving Dinner table. Business networking and social networking come apart in Facebook which is pushing many business people to pack their bags and go searching for better places.
3. Google Finally Takes Control
The biggest change in social networking, business networking and Social Media was made with Google Plus (G+) was launch. Finally, the information giant introduced to the world a platform that effectively will change socializing.
Even though most of what Google is planning to offer is behind tightly drawn currents, what they have shown thus far is very impressive..on a number of levels. It is very obvious, they are focusing on developing a platform that can be shared both as a business marketing tool and a pure social network.
The phrase ‘Game Changer’ is over used in describing the power G+ will have over how we deliver our message, both professionally and socially. Right now, Google is allowing people to build their foundation and get use to the tools they are introducing. Those who ‘Get it’ have moved their primary operations to G+ and operating on a pure social level while waiting on the business portion of G+ to launch…a smart move more people need to make.
Google’s approach to spoon feeding the Internet with small portions of what they have developed is another sign of Google’s intelligence and understanding of Human Nature. Their control on keeping their platform real by filtering out the scammers and people not taking themselves serious will be the magnet that draws more real people to come online. This will only strengthen Google’s position as the place to go to get real information.
The real value of Google Plus is in the searchablity of information. Knowing that what is posted on G+ works towards building a professional and social image of the person who posts the information is what makes being on the Internet worthwhile.
Gone are the days of posting a Tweet and wonder if anyone see it..of taking weeks to build a Facebook Page only to get 5000 Likes from people wanting only for you to see them and care nothing about seeing you.
The social space has really changed and it troubles me to see people I know floundering on Facebook and Twitter while the changes being made in today’s social networking has move way pass that environment. The excuse.."Why should I change? All my friends are on Facebook or Twitter!"… will become less valid quickly. I really hate seeing hardworking people wasting their content and time in spaces losing ground.
Hopefully, more will see the value of the changes in social media and change with them. Let me know how I can help.
