I hope you all have a start on the first chapters of Socialnomics and are starting to look at what role social media can play in our consumer behavior.
Here are the questions for Chapter 1. You do not need to respond to each question, but do give your thoughts and impressions after reading the chapter. Here are some questions to help you get started.
1. How can "investing time in social media" make you more productive? Do you think your productivity (at least in some areas) is improved through the use of social media?
2. What do you think of the Sally scenario? Have you ever had a similar conversation via social media? Have you asked for product/service recommendations from friends or followers?
3. How did the blog scenarios in the chapter impact your perceptions of blogging?
4. What did you think of the bacon sat story? Do you know of other brands that started with social media?
Here are the questions for Chapter 1. You do not need to respond to each question, but do give your thoughts and impressions after reading the chapter. Here are some questions to help you get started.
1. How can "investing time in social media" make you more productive? Do you think your productivity (at least in some areas) is improved through the use of social media?
2. What do you think of the Sally scenario? Have you ever had a similar conversation via social media? Have you asked for product/service recommendations from friends or followers?
3. How did the blog scenarios in the chapter impact your perceptions of blogging?
4. What did you think of the bacon sat story? Do you know of other brands that started with social media?
I think the book provided some solid points for those who look at social media as an overwhelming waste of time. Remembering that you can filter what information you view, and that you don't have to look at every single status update, photo, etc. is important. The rewards of spending time investing in social media do lead to increased productivity. I'm sure this will come up in discussion over and over, but if you research what people are saying and respond to it, it pays off. Customers appreciate efforts made to connect with them, and all parties involved become more informed, which affects their choices. Sally's investment in social media as a consumer paid off because it was easier to scroll through a timeline than it was to call 5 friends. Additionally, the stories about blogs helped me recognized the value of niches and experts, as well as the marketing potential that goes with virality. Again, it pays off to see what people are talking about and respond, like with the Bacon Salt. I was reminded of shopruche.com, which is a small clothing company that started with social media. They use platforms like twitter, instagram, and facebook to live-tweet their buyer's meetings and get real-time feedback from their customers on what they would buy. They really utilize relationships with lifestyle bloggers to get their name out there and hone in on what their target audience wants.
ReplyDeleteI think the most important idea was the fact that news (or information) finds us - we don't go looking for it. I can't count the number of times I have learned about current events or popular culture through posts on Facebook or Twitter. This is important for marketers because it shows the importance of reaching and convincing influencers to share information. Marketers now how to compete for the time and mental capacity of consumers. It is simply impossible for people to remember even a small amount of information they come across in social media.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting (and very true) that with this new media comes new business models. The rise of social media and how quickly ideas are spread among the general public forces businesses to plan for many possible variations of the future. No one can predict what will be the next Facebook. At this moment it seems as if nothing can stand up to Facebook, but we all know there was a time before Facebook and there will be a time after Facebook. Companies that become complacent and are not forward-thinking will be left behind.
The chapter in terms of not wasting your time did intrigue my interest. Most people that I talk to mention on their FB account, why am I on here when I have so much to do? For companies, it does help them run their messages more efficiently and effectively to a degree. One of the fall backs being how well the company uses social media and when to use it. So, it is a whole lesson to learn when and where to use the social media.
ReplyDeleteI have asked several people via FB what they thought of a certain product or company because they are about the same age as me and have kids about the same age. We share the same values and their opinions do weigh a lot when it comes to buying an expensive product. I also have posted my comments on certain companies and have had several responses about the postings. Most usually agreed with me or replied that they will take my experience into consideration. WOM is a powerful tool and the social media only helps that word get around faster and reach a bigger audience.
I feel like that Sally scenario can be right, it just doesn't happen that fast and have that much big news. I can find out what's going on with people and it definitely can be a big help when you have to wait an hour in the doctor's office (have experienced this. I myself have not asked for any product recommendations from friends via social media. I usually ask people who I see the most, but I do see where you can find out faster by asking on social media and I have had friends ask where a good place is to get a tattoo. I do feel like this way of asking is helpful and a lot faster.
ReplyDeleteThe part about how newspapers and magazines are struggling to find people because of blogging I can kind of see that. With people blogging, they can write about whatever it is they want to write about, they don't have to be told. Also, the fact that it's free will for sure run newspapers and magazines out of business, if someone doesn't have to pay and they can get the honest truth that they want who wouldn't choose that over the other option.
I feel like the whole point of this chapter's discussion of uses of social media relates back to something the author mentions on page 27: "Wikipedia is successful as a result of scale and self-policing. As a result of the success...others have started to leverage the social graph." Regardless of whoever "started" this idea of scale and self-policing, it seems like that's what the value of Facebook relies upon. Posting a status containing an open question about a product or service can often spark a conversation between multiple friends, even resulting in debates about whose advice is best, and in the end it is the post-er who wins: he or she posted a question and sat back and relaxed while friends with more expertise whittled down the details. In this way, I absolutely can see why the author considers Facebook a time saver.
ReplyDeleteAs with anything, I think it has a time and a place. The "Sally" example kind of irked me, mostly because it brought to mind too many flashbacks of young women dragging a screaming toddler around the store with one hand and Facebooking on their iPhone with the other. I'm glad Sally had more sense than this, because I've seen too many who don't. Appropriateness plays a role in Facebook's usefulness as well.
I've definitely been in the "Sally scenerio" before. It wasn't as cookie cutter as the example in the book where I use every single piece of information I see on FB's newsfeed throughout the day, but I've places like waiting to get my car worked on or while I was in the waiting room at the dentist. I'll click on links that spark my interest (or maybe because I'm bored) that I might not have clicked on otherwise and then it leads to me being interested in something...Actually I just thought of a perfect example. A few days ago I was waiting at my hair salon's wait room and I put up a status that read "To get bangs or not to get bangs?" I had already made up my mind going into the situation that I wanted bangs...when I sat in the chair to wait I started having second thoughts so I posted a status update about it. To my surprise 5 friend commented and told me not to get bangs because they thought I'd hate them...I got a second opinion from my hairdresser who advised me not to get bangs either...so I remain bangless today.
ReplyDeleteI felt that the first chapter of Socialnomics really showed the profound impact that social media has had on the "world that was". It was interesting to see Qualman's take on the newspaper industry and how eventually, without the proper steps, newspapers and even their website affiliates will perish. He also makes it apparent that the use of social media can't be considered a waste of time. I'll be the first to admit that I have wasted plenty of time using social networks for recreational use. In fact I am on Facebook right now. However, I do feel that the use of social media is a benefactor in certain situations. When I worked in Chicago there were plenty of times where I sat in stop and go traffic because I gambled on which highway to take home. After I got a smart phone I would just check Facebook or Twitter and find friends posting "Just sitting in 95 degree weather on the Eisenhower". With just a simple glance I could cruise over to the Kennedy.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Bacon Salt story just showed how explosive one status or tweet could be. Pretty amazing to see what a couple of beers between friends can accomplish. In terms of a similar brand style I would suggest Zynga, a gaming company, that used outlets like Myspace and Facebook to gain monumental success within the industry. The company produces some of the top games on Facebook and has taken over as the leader in that regard.
Chapter one has already proven this book to very insightful when it comes to using social media today. When i was reading about the Sally scenario, and others like the water cooler situation, i couldn't help but feel like the author was on my side on an argument i have had 100 times with people who don't understand social media. Social media has completely made me more productive and helped me better spend my time every day. For one thing, the Sally situation has happened to me a few times, almost exactly. Other ways it helps me, is i will see a product on the shelves in a grocery store and be able to scan it with my smart phone, and then immediately see blogs about the product and how other people felt about it. No person i would be directly in contact with in the store could possibly provide me that much information so quickly.
ReplyDeleteWith the water cooler situation, I feel like the author finally put into words why social media is helpful and why i don't necessarily "care" about the pointless things people put on Facebook or Twitter, but rather use them to feel a stronger sense of familiarity with those who posted them because i now know more about their habits and even ways of speech. I have heard from so many people that facebook or twitter is a waste of time but this book has already proven them wrong!
P.s. was anyone else blown away that before social networking, the #1 activity on the internet was porn?! haha...
My perceptions on blogging have not been altered by the points made in the book. The points the book made about the future of how the public gets their news are becoming very real for companies today. The companies that had enough foresight to see this are basking in the glory! The entire industry has changed. Those that decided to embrace it instead of fight it won a lot of fans. Companies that didn’t embrace social media have projected a negative image to consumers.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I feel the book lacked in discussion about business to business blogging. There are many companies that using blogs to improve their customer relations. Caterpillar is an excellent example of this. They already have very strong relationships with their customers. It is beneficial for them to show this strength to everyone using social media. There are many aspects of B2B blogging that the book did not cover that are important. There is a lot of talk over B2C social media, but as much on B2B. I wish the book had gone into more detail on how businesses can use social media to connect with other businesses.
Amanda Stewart
ReplyDeleteMy personal productivity is decreased when I am constantly on social media networks. Particularly for this class social media keeps me effective because I have to monitor it for class.Other wise In my free time I usually spend it on Facebook and Twitter. Which keeps me sane throughout the day because I'm so bombarded with class work and projects it's kind of like a release. As far as blogging I feel like I am utilizing it in a productive way because I am more conscious of what I right and how I comment on other people's blogs. I feel like Facebook and Twitter done on auto pilot.
Chapter 1 was a fast and enjoyable read. As someone who is proficient in social media for personal use, I felt like I learned a lot about how big social media truly has become. I also liked how the author gave a great example on how facebook can be a great use of time, as opposed to a popular opinion of how it can be a big waste of time.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Stride example of Where the hell is Matt? video on Youtube. I agree that it was very smart of them to take a step back and not have the 'Stride' brand name everywhere throughout the video...A great example of how a company can make something go viral using a social media site.
I was very interested in the examples about how much stronger blogging has become. 'Citizen Journalism' has stepped up to a whole new level with social media. Who knew there would be a time that the 'average joe' could type up stories on their laptops and would be trusted more than professional journalists that have a job writing for New York Times?
I enjoyed reading chapter 1 because it was really a great intro to how social media works both positively and negatively. It really made me actually notice that the news really does try to "come to us" and that because I really never watch it on tv, I am expecting to see the top stories on appear on my phone for easy access. Although the section conerning the diminishing power of newspapers and magazines I slightly agree with. I feel like newspapers are going, but when referring to magazines using social media is really an advantage for them. They can be even more creative in their print segments and there online segments by adding more types of events to guide people online or creating hashtags for things. And I always like to pick up a magazine and jsut read in my hands and not off my phone, so I think they are still going to be around for awhile.
ReplyDeleteSince joining this class and using the different social sites, I have definitely become more productive with them. I have noticed that I am consistently checking to see if companies have a Facebook and twitter page, mainly twitter. I was always checking Facebook, but I never really "used" it. I hardly ever posted statuses or commented on things, but now I do and it has become fun again to have a Facebook page. I love twitter now. I had it before and didn't really get it or see the point, but I am constantly checking it and trying to post different things. I rely on it so much especially when checking sports and entertainment news. I feel like by using these sites, I am learning more how to use it and basically practicing so that I can hopefully be the person do this for my job. As I mentioned earlier I do enjoy actually using Facebook and twitter and will probably continue doing it after this class, but I still don’t really see the point of having a blog. It is nice to just express your thoughts and write something fun and creative every once in a while, but unless it is for a business or something I really just do not see the point of having it. Nevertheless, I did feel this way about twitter and look at me now. So most likely by the end of this course my thoughts will probably change. However, I may be more productive in social media, but I am definitely loosing productivity in other parts of my life. For example, when I need to get a homework assignment done I am constantly checking Facebook and twitter and since I have the capability to access these sites on my phone, I have to control myself from checking it all the time. Especially when I’m in public and around people, I need to make sure that I am still physically social and not only technically social. This is part of the reason why I do not have a pinterest because I have way too much stuff going on with school that I really can’t afford to focus on another social media site.
Comments on Chapter 1 are now closed.
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