6 things Young Americans Need to Know About Social Media
With the help of social media, the internet has become the place young people spend much of their time, socially connecting. They are attracted by social medias entertainment value. However, its full benefit is over looked and/or the opportunity it offers, is wasted due to ignorance or tunnel vision. Here a 6 tips that will make your successful personally and professionally.
#1 As Soon As you Get Used to Something It Will Change
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn” – Alvine Toffle
Give it up. As soon as you understand how it works…. everything you like about Facebook or *insert social network or website here* will change. You need relearn the tweaks and new features immediately. DO NOT COMPLAIN. A “#facebooksux” hash tag won’t help. No need to start a Facebook group demanding the internet giant change things back to the way YOU liked them. Be real. You have 3,000 friends and Mark Zukenberg is pushing 500 million.
Do not allow me to completely crush your dreams. There are ways to influence Facebook and other social networks. Signing up as a beta tester allows you to present feedback that will be considered during updates and beta versions.
#2 USE IT! – Interact
No one likes a lurker. Those creepy unassociated people that prowl through Facebook, pick through twitter feeds, and drool over foursquare check-ins. Lurkers are more concerned with watching what everyone else is doing than adding to the conversation.
Say something! Speak out. Comment on post, blogs, and engage others. This is your chance to connect, learn and grow by learning from and with others.
#3 Internet Reputation is Your Bond…Censor Your Self
Despite its fear factor the internet does provide one level of control that can protect you from anything. CENSORSHIP. Protect information that is important to you by excluding it from the public domain. Don’t tweet, post, or send it via text message. That picture you took doing a keg stand back in 2003 might keep you from getting a job in 2010. Believe it or not, the “Best of 2 Live Crew” video snippet posted to your Facebook wall may cost you a job as well.
Do yourself a favor. Google search your name and see what comes up. Delete all negative depictions of your image, and personal brand from the internet.
#4 LinkedIn
“A networker likes to meet people. I don’t. I like accomplishing things in the world. You meet people when you want to accomplish something” - Reid Hoffman
As of June 29, 2010 young people 18-24 years of age only accounted for 24% of LinkedIn 70 million users. I dare to ask, what portion of that 24% has fully set up their profile, utilizes its functions, or even know how it works? Why is this troubling? LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. Are you looking for an internship, job, or career advice? Have you considered opening your own business? Do you need an innovative project for a campus activity? LinkedIn is the place to interact, accomplish goals all while growing ideas into a profitable reality.
#5 You’re Being Watched- Get Used to It
A few weeks ago I conducted an informal poll with some close friends. Surprisingly my friends believe they can protect their internet reputation by restricting access to their Facebook pages. Some of them believed avoiding social media new comers (i.e. Twitter) is a feasible way to maintain privacy……WRONG.
Social Media is a prime example of “What’s sad is done”. Once you post information, opinion, news article the information no longer belongs to you.However, the ramifications and consequences associated with their release will be yours to deal with. Oh by the way….the internet and computers do not completely delete anything.
Tracking down your secret internet identity isn’t hard. It involves connecting all of your profiles in one place. Web-based services like Flowtown.com do the leg work (for a small price). Nothing is sacred. Even those camera phone pictures you don’t want anyone to see. They are on someone’s server tagged with your phone number. All it takes is the right technology and motivation. The library of congress has already added past and future tweets to their collection. ….SCARY AINT IT..
#6 “Social Media” Does Not Equal “Social Networking”
This is actually more of a personal pet peeve. “Social Media” does not equal “Social Networking”. The most consistent resource known to man (*sarcasm*) tells us:
“A Social Network is social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called “nodes,” which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige”.- Wikipedia
According to this definition we are all very familiar with social networking outside of what the internet offers. Have you ever seen a group of old men talk over coffee every morning? If not, go to Cincinnati, Ohio, and stop by the White Castles on the corner of Reading and William Howard Taft. These men are social networking When your mom and her friends got together once a month to play bid whist they were in fact SOCIAL NETWORKING.
The aforementioned bid whist tournament and coffee meet up allowed their participants to share ideas, stories, concepts, debate, and pass the time together. Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter provide the same benefits.
