I fully admit that I use social media far too often. I joined Facebook back in the days of college exclusivity. I joined Twitter before Oprah joined and it blew up. And since then I’ve continued to pour hours and hours into the ongoing boom that is social networks. I’ve even made what I consider legitimate friendships through them, but none of this is why I’m in favor of engaging on social networks as much as possible.
In years past you could stay up with current events by receiving the newspaper every day, and watching the nightly evening news. It lacked the social aspect of today’s networks, but you could stay informed. The social aspect of understanding these events took place at community events, at church, at the office, and through friendships. They all took place in person.
Fast forward to today and there’s any number of ways to stay up with current events. In fact, you need to choose which niche of current events to stay up with because it’s impossible to know the facts within all of them. I can make new videos for my social media platforms and today, I can get even 50 youtube likes to make it work.
Social media has revolutionized the way we consume and interact with current events. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram provide real-time updates and a space for public discourse, making it easier than ever to stay informed about specific topics that interest us. However, navigating this vast digital landscape can be challenging.
With the rise of content creators and influencers, standing out in the crowd requires strategic efforts. For instance, when I buy instagram reels views, it helps amplify my content’s reach, making it more visible and engaging to a wider audience. This practice not only boosts the likelihood of my videos being seen but also fosters interaction and discussion among viewers, enhancing the social aspect of staying informed.
As social media continues to evolve, effective marketing strategies must adapt to leverage the full potential of these platforms. Brands now recognize the importance of utilizing social media marketing to create authentic connections with their audiences. By crafting engaging content and employing targeted strategies, businesses can enhance their visibility and foster meaningful interactions.
A leading example in this space is https://sociallypowerful.com, a global social media and influencer marketing agency powered by technology. They specialize in connecting brands with the right influencers and utilizing data-driven insights to optimize campaigns for maximum impact. By focusing on authenticity and engagement, companies can navigate the complexities of social media marketing, ensuring their messages resonate with consumers while driving brand loyalty and growth.
Here are the reasons I’m in favor of being a social network overuser. I share these reasons as a pastor, because that is my vocation and the lens in which I view much of the world. But, of course, most of my reasons translate to so many other perspectives as well.
People Share What They Think, But Won’t Say
This is (to me) by the far biggest negative of social networks. All of us have seen an individual go on a rant about some anonymous person, but we actually know this person. Of course, the ranter (that’s not a word, my apologies) would never share these thoughts to the individual’s face. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. It’s bad.
But flip this around and you can see that many people (especially introverts) are too intimidated to share their actual thoughts in person, but they will on Facebook. You are able to get a snapshot into their world, gaining a greater level of understanding about them.
The New Way to Have Your Ear to the Ground
As a pastor, the single most important thing I must do is know my people, and know my culture, on a local, national, and international level. Certainly Facebook and Twitter make this far more accessible than it ever was before. People today are more likely to post about their latest life event on Facebook instead of calling their pastor so he/she can pray with them. Every week I’m able to be in the lives of individuals and families without them needing to have direct access to me.
When I was choosing a new phone a few years back a friend gave me advice to go where the majority of people are, saying, “If your job is to know the people around you, use what they’re using, understand them. That’s a lot better than trying to be a trendsetter.”
In the past a public figure needed to work hard to “keep up appearances.” The importance of this hasn’t gone away completely, but all things online and social have created a new way to stay continually engaged with people. Each Sunday my church connects with over 200 people, it’s the highlight of my week, it’s the one thing I build toward all week. But I’m also able to connect with many of those same people throughout the week. It’s my way of keeping my ear to the ground.
Those of you who are social connoisseurs, why do you use these networks? What keeps you coming back?
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As a caveat to this, I want to end by saying that social networks are a great way to pass information and to make initial connections, but they do not replace the human need for interaction, in person. They are a great way to supplement already established friendships. Most often social networks become the easy way out. Instead of actually making an effort to care about someone we just “like” their status. While I love these social features available to us today, let’s not abandon the people who deserve our extra effort of love and care.
(Photo: We Never Look Up blog)
