Social what???? - what I’ve learned about social media so far

Blogs, twits, FB are words that do not normally compute for an intensely private individual such as myself. I've been dodging these for as long as I can remember. However, social media, like the proverbial internet is not easy to ignore. As a marketing professional, I have to know it, learn it and use it. It is yet another one of the hottest channels by which to communicate with an increasingly mobile and connected consumer.

 

And it is not just limited to the tech savvy or the young. In fact, the use of social media tools bridges the wide divide between generations. Why do I say this? Well with Facebook now being more popular than email, tweeting being the fastest way to get your thoughts out to as many people, and the blog becoming your personal gateway to connect with people who share the same ideas, passions and or causes, social media enables an ordinary, very private individual like myself to connect given that I have the choice to let them or not into my world.

 

So do I like it? I’m weaning myself into it with the view that I may eventually find its relevance to my career if not to my life and decide to embrace it like everyone else I know. I’ve always liked to write so perhaps it’s time I allow myself some “freedom” to do just that as well as to share my talent with my friends. Maybe in the future I’d even decide to share my thoughts with the rest of the world.

 

My most recent experience attending a networking session such as the Vancouver Beer MeetUp was an eye opener. People with a specific interest - beer - are able to hook up and get together as like- minded individuals. Some have formed good friendships especially those who’ve been with the group for sometime now. But this group was quite warm, embracing Vancouver newbies such as me. One lesson I’ve learned from this experience is that other networking events could be equally interesting and I should continue to explore and experiment.

 

My friends and everyone else swear by Facebook. Some have found long lost friends, relatives, schoolmates. One such example is this college organization of mine whose members I've lost touch with ages ago. What do you know, I found them on FB! So despite all my protestations, I now have a Facebook account. I'm just trying to keep it quiet but with my recent registration, I'm sure it’s just a matter of time that people find me.