SOCIAL MEDIA + YOU

Social media is great for business. It provides customers with up-to-date information about the company, encourages interaction between the business and it’s faithful followers, and hopefully boosts sales/business.

But social media is also good for something else - you. 

I’ve spent years on social media. I’ve seen the positive influence it can have for a business in a professional setting. But I’ve also seen what it can do for me, personally. 

1. Facebook may seem invasive - but it gives you the opportunity to share valuable personal information that your family and friends will see in real time. For example: I got engaged at the end of November. Within moments of the actual proposal my friends and family knew I was engaged and I didn’t have to do anything more than post it to my Facebook (and Instagram and Twitter and check-in to “Engagement Site” on Foursquare). But, are you picking up what I’m putting down? 500 of my closest friends and family got to share in my special moment as it happened, with minimal work on my end.
2. Like it or not, you probably stay better connected with your “far away” friends because of these sites. Most people don’t like to admit that the majority of things they know about their friends comes from social media. I can’t tell you how many parties or family functions I’ve been to and heard a conversation that went like this: Person A: “So last week I met up with John and we ate at In n…” Person B: “Oh ya, I saw that on Facebook. You had a burger and loved it!” Likewise, if you live in America and your friend lives in Europe, you probably keep up with each other via Facebook posts and chats. There’s nothing wrong with utilizing social media as one of your main communication tools. Phone calls are good, but if you can’t call, Facebook isn’t a bad second choice.
3. Your family feels more connected to you because Facebook keeps them in the loop. If you don’t live at home anymore, or even if you do… if you are “friends” with your family, you are keeping them happy. Don’t get me wrong, hanging with your family in person is the best way to go, BUT social media allows you to keep your family in the loop without having to talk to them every day. You keep them happy and updated, and maybe you’ll get out of some of those family dinners.
4. Social media can help build your reputation up for potential employers. If you think your employer hasn’t checked you out on your social media sites, then you’re out of the loop. One of first things employers do now is plug your name in the nearest search engine - if your social media sites show up and are public, they are going to look at them. It has nothing to do with invading privacy, and everything to do with trying to figure you out on a more personal level. Use your Facebook, Twitter, Blog and Google+ to help build up your character. Be yourself, but give your future (or current) employers, a reason to hire you (or keep you around).
5. Social media can be your friend, and help you find some too. The online dating market has skyrocketed in success rates over the last few years. Thousands of people are meeting each other online, going on dates, and getting married. Don’t discount the potential for future friends or even a spouse through a social media site. I’ve made Twitter friends that became real-life friends. The power of communication through social media is real, and if you keep an open mind, you may find some of your closest friends on there.

Whether you use social media to keep your family up to date, as a tool for business, or just something you play around with, remember that it can help define for others who you are. Let social media be personal, it might surprise you where it will take you.