There is a lot of hype around what social media can do for your business. But it's always best to view any claim with a critical eye. This week in MT8425, we are discussing social media hype vs. reality. Here is my story on this interesting topic.
Storified by jhodson · Mon, Jan 21 2013 12:29:34
It's true to say that social media has changed the ways which we communicate with one another, organize, socialize and do business. It's not hyperbolic to suggest that because of social media the world we live in is very different than the one that our parents or grandparents lived in. However, sometimes it seems like the claims of the miracles of social media know no ends - particularly in the business and marketing literature. I urge you to try to separate the reality from the hype. Here is an article posted recently to Forbes, suggesting (yet again) that social media is going to change the way you work this year:
However, almost exactly a year ago, Forbes warned readers about the social media hype, offering six strategies to "bust the social media hype":
So which is it? Is social media going to change everything we do again? Or are claims of social media's miraculous cure-all properties nothing but hype. The answer is probably a little of column A and lots of column B. Social media has changed many industries, and some tools that we originally thought were a passing fad, are now considered to be important tools for engaged businesses.
On the other hand, there are countless other examples of the next big thing, or trendy sites that everyone was once on that now are more like virtual ghost towns:
So my advice, take time, consult expert sources, watch, listen and learn. Be an early adopter, but also know when to move on. The more you learn, the easier it will be to separate the reality from the hype, and when you do, you will be well positioned to be a leader in the field of social media.
My question for you, how do you separate the hype from the reality? What social media trend surprised you when it became a big thing? Similarly, what trend surprised you when it failed miserably?
My question for you, how do you separate the hype from the reality? What social media trend surprised you when it became a big thing? Similarly, what trend surprised you when it failed miserably?
