social networking
A social networking site, is a website on the Internet that brings people to a central point to ‘talk’, share ideas and interest, collaborate and even make new friends. This type of sharing data and collaboration is referred to as social media. (Computer Hope n.d) The content created on social media sites is contributed too by hundreds or thousands of people and organizations.
Members of social networking sites create online profiles with biographical data, or any other information they choose to post including photographs. (PC-Mag n.d) The users communicate with each other commenting on current topics or trends or really whatever is on their minds to selected members. An interesting point argued by McGuire (2013) is that “social media is attractive because it enables humans who possess no social skills to interact with other humans”. People can hide behind profiles that they create for themselves, and if it were possible to know someone exclusively through what has been told to us or posted online then the assumption is we could all be close friends with people like Barack Obama, Prince William, Vladimir Putin or even Justin Bieber. The fact is one can never really determine if what we see on social media is true or factual.
The benefits of social media are based on communication. It is a really an easy way to communicate. Your message, whether it is controversial or congratulatory is simply posted online for people to see and comment on. Companies use social media as part of their marketing strategies, or even direct consumers to their respective online pages to post comments and suggestions about products purchased. It allows companies to open dialogue with their consumers and also keeps them posted with regards to new products or improvements. Singh (2014) asserts that “Brands can’t afford to get their customer experience wrong and there’s no better place to establish the right connect”, generally information dissemination is seen as one way traffic, social
Members of social networking sites create online profiles with biographical data, or any other information they choose to post including photographs. (PC-Mag n.d) The users communicate with each other commenting on current topics or trends or really whatever is on their minds to selected members. An interesting point argued by McGuire (2013) is that “social media is attractive because it enables humans who possess no social skills to interact with other humans”. People can hide behind profiles that they create for themselves, and if it were possible to know someone exclusively through what has been told to us or posted online then the assumption is we could all be close friends with people like Barack Obama, Prince William, Vladimir Putin or even Justin Bieber. The fact is one can never really determine if what we see on social media is true or factual.
The benefits of social media are based on communication. It is a really an easy way to communicate. Your message, whether it is controversial or congratulatory is simply posted online for people to see and comment on. Companies use social media as part of their marketing strategies, or even direct consumers to their respective online pages to post comments and suggestions about products purchased. It allows companies to open dialogue with their consumers and also keeps them posted with regards to new products or improvements. Singh (2014) asserts that “Brands can’t afford to get their customer experience wrong and there’s no better place to establish the right connect”, generally information dissemination is seen as one way traffic, social
References: Computer Hope (n.d), Social Network {Available online at] http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/socinetw.htm (Accessed 15 May 2014) Rouse M (2006), Social Networking [Available online at] http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/social-networking (Accessed 15 May 2014) PC-Mag (n.d) Social networking [Available online at] http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/55316/social-networking-site Accessed 15 May 2014 Singh T (2014), Ignore social media at your own peril [Available online at] http://wcrcleaders.com/ignore-social-media-at-your-own-peril/ (Accessed 16 May 2014)