Social media has change the way we communicate. We don’t consider when we post something, it is really one way communication. We don’t consider that we have become our own media outlet, much like a newspaper or TV news show. We are all broadcasters now.
But broadcasters are not the same as communicators. True communication is two-way. We speak and listen.
Blogging, tweeting and Facebook posts are fine. But we need to remember true communication is a different entity.
I went out for my last run before the marathon this morning. And who was there to greet me? Our cat got herself stuck in the car. As she stared at me, I imagined her trying to get in the car on the morning of the race. It’s going to be an early morning, and she will probably be the only person up beside me. She may be up for the trip, but I doubt I could have her go the whole 26.2.
After I let her out and I went on my run, I pondered how social media marketing requires two very different modes of behavior. Sometimes, you have to be like a cat. Other times, you need to plan like a long distance runner.
In this cartoon, two women are at a fast food restaurant, One says, “Level with me, Doris. Are you my real or virtual friend.”
I know. Social media is giving me a headache too. I use it for business, yet sometimes, all the tweets and posts get me down too. We know all of us, including me, share only the highlight reel. We aren’t going to talk about the mundane, the mild frustrations and the lost car keys.
I am glad I can keep in touch with family and friends through social media. But at the end of the day, it is the real, face to face encounters that strengthen real friendships.
If there are any institutions that should excel at social media, it is the church across North America. Each one could be a potential publishing powerhouse because of several reasons:
The Social Media Mind: How social media how social media is changing business, politics and science and helps create a new world order. by David Amerland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s a good book highlighting the pitfalls businesses can fall into when they see social media as just another marketing channel. Social media allows immediate feedback and it doesn’t take fluff lightly. David Amerland gives examples such as RIM‘s inattention in handling a crises, Gap’s logo change backlash and a Ragu campaign that went viral for the wrong reasons. It also gives good examples such as Domino Pizza’s turnaround in spite of a bad viral video from two of its employees.
The book was published in 2012. So there is too much emphasis on Google+, and the Arab Spring was still seen as a success. Still, there is much here to learn four years after its publication date.