Social Media News

Our connectivity to the World Wide Web yields forth our uniquely diverse citizenship of a globally interconnected world without limitation; overwhelming it may be, in regards to modernized social networking media. Focusing on the principals of building a single person’s established interpersonal communication, social media functions to build social networks that act as online social communities. Each individual user has the freedom, in new-age social media, to construct a network of supportive friends that share similar interests or activities; the more interests a user releases, to the public, the higher the chances are for a larger network –- communication with each new networking member will also lead to a larger network while establishing social skills and interpersonal communication. With most, or 98%, being web-based these service incorporate the expansion of communication by the optional sharing of messenger usernames and/or electric mailing addresses; feed aggregations also provide remarkable assistance in networking building, by producing duplicate data to other networks without the user having to do any work. For the new-age Internet generation, no limitations are set as to how many social networks one should join; nor is there a specific limitation for businesses that use this revolutionized marketing technique for profitability.  I highly recommend, putting time in just a few of the most popular social mediums; as well as feeding through aggregation for exposure — getting your name out to a larger group, on various mediums of various subjectivity. Each network, however, must first have an established foundation; the first step in this is a complete and detailed profile, the second step is giving out personal links to your content as a starting point of a media foundation — if the network will not be frequented, use feeding by aggregation if the site allows. Instead of handing out ten or more links, and spamming hypertext links; choose SocialURL a tool that allows for the incorporation of every site of membership to be easily put in one single place –- with a single hyperlink or URL handed out to the network, perfect for forums and social media sites. A variety of sites exist that allows a user to keep up with all pages, such as Gizapage, again a single link will be gave; this site is easily to scroll through via tabbing so all pages are viewed in less time –- however, personally I find this site to be of a benefit to the user more so than the viewer as all sites can be easy kept up with.

As a journalist with a concentration in social media who also works in conjunction with major technological and media companies I have taken the liberty to explain the pro and cons of the two most popular media sites; for a choice to be made of which site to co-exist on. By far, Twitter and Facebook reserve the top spot for popular mediums; membership should be contemplated to these sites, in a positive light, as social establishments are quite easily to use and keep up with.

• Twitter Pro: As a lightweight medium, Twitter doesn’t have much overhead; nor is the page filled with ads or annoying gadgets or quizzes. Each update is short and a constant feed of information now comes in from favorite accounts, without refreshing to see new information. There are an abundant of third party applications, most using oAuth so that a password never has to be but at risk, that aid in the assistance of usage –- these third party applications can arrange from useless information to statistics about the maintained sight, scheduling of tweets, interactive polls, user location directories, petitions, and more. In addition to being a mobile service that can be easily installed on ones mobile phone though a vast assortment of application products, several third party browsers exist if one doesn’t want to return to the webpage; the two best of these are TweetDeck and Seesmic. Twitter allows for a greater establishment of communication by allowing keyword hyperlinks, or hashtags, that are searchable on a its website navigations bar; also popularly talked about subjects show in the same navigation menu allowing one to see what is popular –- these “Trending Topics”, change regularly, and are a wonderful way to keep up with the news; which some say that Twitter gets out one to three days quicker than traditional media outlets. Twitter allows for pages to be set to private and is also always adding new ease of access features; like Twitter Lists that allow for careful organization. Lastly, Twitter also allows for feeding as both input and output; with little spam and ignorance.
• Twitter Con: Some say that the limitation of micro blogging is a critical downfall to Twitter; this micro blogging only allows for quick messages of 140 characters – however, micro-blogging take time to get used to with its limitation of characters. Due to the millions of users, who flock to this popular medium, Twitter receives a lot of social networking “noise”; some of this useless, such as what a person ate for their dinner or updates about pets. Twitter was made only for a one way transfer of communication, it was not built for communication in excess like Friendfeed is; so having interpersonal communications, for 10 or more rapid posts, will lead to dropped followers. A public page is public, blocked users can still stalk your page; however you will not see their direct conversations with you. There is no protection from those who add you primary, like Facebook has with private member only profiles; which may be a con to some but Twitter operates on this public principal –- unwanted users can easily be blocked. Lastly, the set up to Twitter for the newest of users, takes some time to get used to; with @Mentions, direct mails, and hashtags.
• Facebook Pro: As one of the largest and most popular networks, this medium has made a great deal of modifications to be similar to other competing sites; in an attempt to keep its audience — as an example it now incorporates feeding from certain sites and allows users to use applications. This site is great to use for connecting to a network of friends, long forgotten for some; as it allows high school classmates, college peers, and colleague members to find each other; also it allows for a first/last name and electronic mail search. Wall updates are limited in characters but with more than that of Twitter; easily videos and photos can be added to these as well as ease for communication for each post. Facebook respects your protection and only allows people who you add to see your page; also questioning you if you know this person and wish to add that person. Lastly, one can easily intermix in a sea of groups that are based on interests.
• Facebook Con: Facebook is not the network to use if you wish to remain anonymous; as first and last names are required and are public. Members who use applications are constantly sending out bulk invites to use that application as well; with pleas to join. Updates that are useless appear on your own peaceful timeline; adding to the social media “noise” which may be similar to Twitter’s “noise”. Unlike Twitter, Facebook is captcha happy; with it needing to be used many times when adding groups or posting; which is a true irritation. Facebook only allows the feeding of a limited number of sites and not many at that. If one is online, the status is reflected in the messenger; and most likely if you do not wish to be bothered you will be — with a large group of friends or fellow peers. Lastly, unlike Twitter is not news worthy and appears to a younger target audience; that destroys the peaceful values and pushes the limits at times in group settings.

(Copyright © Social-Media-News 2009)