There's No 'U' in Social Media

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Written by Adan Hinojosa

There are a lot of people out there who don’t see the value in Social Media. They’ve tried & failed to keep an interest in their Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. While it’s true that these sites aren’t for everyone, and it’s not a bad thing that they don’t participate, it’s also worth a look to figure out what may have driven a person away from the site.

Were there not enough users to connect with? Was the interface too complicated? Did the site not properly encourage its own usage? All are legitimate reasons to not use a website. Your time & clicks will only ever go to the place where there’s the most reward.

However the biggest weakness that Social Media has yet to overcome is its own fervent user base. People are commonly falling into the trap of playing the role of orator, moreso than a participant. When you have a crowd of people all trying to be selfish at once, the signal-to-noise ratio begins to become a big issue. You’re being talked at instead of engaging in a legitimate conversation.

On some level, it’s nice to know that people want to be helpful by being diligent in passing along vital information. At the same time, it becomes frustrating when that same diligence causes others to feel marginalized or even ignored. The “Social” part of Social Media is being ignored. The notion of becoming a bite-sized CNN or MSNBC has become more alluring than talking to people & building relationships.

From my own experiences, I don’t know where my life would be had I not participated and forged strong relationships through social media. I’ve connected with like-minded people. I’ve befriended the local news media. I’ve even had a sit-down with my local Sheriff. None of this would be possible without my decision to actively enrich my relationships and foster good communication.

It’s the key to getting ahead in this world, and it’s the key to having fulfillment in anything you do. We all need interaction, cooperation & socializing to get through our days. If you don’t do those things, you’re setting yourself back in a major way. It all goes back to the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”