Social
media is already influential globally, so it will only expand its influence in
the future. Social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter already
have millions of members, and, if the current trends are to continue, the
number of social media users will only increase. As social media continues to
reach more people every day, the websites are being used by companies and
groups to easily reach the millions of users. In this way, companies can
advertise their product to a large group of people quickly and effectively. It
is not just companies that use social media websites to reach large groups of
people – celebrities and other public figures are flocking to these websites to
promote themselves and increase their popularity. Websites like Facebook and
Twitter make it easy for these people to reach thousands of fans at once.
Basically, with the rise of social media, we will all become more connected.
“If I had to guess, social commerce is the next to blow up.”
– Mark Zuckerberg
Through my research about social
media, I discovered that it is easy for companies to use websites as a
marketing tool. Companies have a carefully thought out plan to build a strong
network of followers on the social media website, communicate with prospective
customers, and offer a variety of information and other content. Social media
websites are also a good way for companies to receive feedback from customers
to make their business more efficient and improve their product. It is also
common for companies to use more than one social media website to promote their
business. For example, a company may use both Facebook and Twitter to reach as
many people as possible. 16% of CEOs admit to using social media to reach customers. This may seem like
a small number – but their social media use is expected to triple within the
next five years. Through online promotion, many companies are experiencing a larger percentage
of their profits are coming from online rather than in stores. In fact, Pampers
sold 1,000 diapers online in one hour. Through social media promotion, Groupon
was able to earn 11 million dollars in one day for Gap.
As with many things, there are advantages
and disadvantages of social media. On the plus side, social media allows people
to stay in touch and connect to people with whom they would otherwise lose
touch. It can be a fun way to pass the time and easily communicate. To relate
it to marketing from companies, many people can benefit as consumers from the
promotions offered online by companies through social media. A negative aspect
of social media is that it may take up too much of an individual’s time.
Spending hours a day on social media websites is excessive and potentially
harmful. Too much time social networking can take attention away from other,
more important aspects of life.
I’m not entirely sure what all the
benefits of social media in the classroom are. I like traditional learning
styles such as note taking and lectures – this could be because I take mostly
AP courses. I can see how social media may help students and teachers connect
with more ease, but other than that I don’t think bringing social media into
the classroom is incredibly beneficial.
I like the idea of putting
resources online for students in high school and college. I like submitting
assignments online, because I only need a digital copy, and all of the things I
need are in one place. I think communicating with other students through social
media would be more beneficial at the collegiate level. In high school,
teachers are more willing to help students. Alternatively, in college,
professors are less eager to spend their free time, or class time for that
matter, deviating from the lesson plan and helping students. I think social
media and online resources will continue to be a part of the learning
experience for high school and college students.
