Social media seems to be taking over the world. As our main source of social networking, its hard to find someone who hasn't heard of sights such as Facebook or Twitter. Not only have these sights dominated social communication and the way we interact with friends and family, they are now taking over the marketing world as well. Everyone from major celebrities to multimillion dollar corporations depend on the the exposure they now gain through followers on popular social media sights. With hundreds of thousands of followers, these popular businesses profit from this type of marketing, but what about those of us who aren't as well known in the public eye? How do small businesses reap the advantages that are possible with social media marketing? In an article by Fox News entitled "How Small Buisnesses Can Use Social Media for Branding" they dicusss need to know basics for small buisness oowners to succesfully use social media. First and foremost know your target audience. Successful marketing hinges on the fact that you as a buisness owner know exactly who you are trying to reach with your marketing. Once you know your target audience, entrepreneur can use Facebook for advertisement. Small business owner Johnson Bailey is hard at work getting the word spread on his unique scented candle company. Using sites like Facebook, Bailey is able to direct advertisements toward certain groups that will appreciate his product rather than waste money in general advertising where only a small portion of the audience will find interest. With social media Bailey is constantly able to keep ads up to date and edgy. With unlimited uses, social media seems to be the best way for small businesses to jump into the big world of marketing.
http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/technology-web/2011/05/20/small-businesses-use-social-media-branding/
The second article I selected discusses social medias influence on religion. In an article done by USA today, we are asked the question, Are Social Media Changing Religion? As the boundaries between public and private become blurrier due to the ever growing use of social media sights, what is happening to these religious communities? With the sharing of information at the forefront of everyones mind, there has been a major shift in what society considers private. Congregations everywhere have turned to sharing and networking in small groups. Churches have always been a places where people can go to find sanction. They have always been sacred and holy places used for worship, not sites used for group therapy and social networking. This shift in the way we worship has some people beginning worries. While many feel comfortable with sharing there life struggles, beliefs and hope with those around them, what happens to those who still prefer to worship alone? Problems surface when open worship becomes a badge of faithfulness. Are those who choose not to share left feeling inadequate or marginalized? Is the use of social media in the world of religion such a good idea? Some believe it's not, other welcome the change, either way social media is changing our world in more ways then one.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-06-21-column21_ST_N.htm
The article about the influence on religion makes an interesting point. Some people do prefer to worship alone and keep their thoughts to themselves, while in other instances, social media can inform about various religious groups that may otherwise be unknown. I think it is important to remember using and managing social media is a choice.
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