Social media sites have evolved quite a bit over the years. Ok, more like internet in general. With new social media sites popping up daily, it can be hard to keep up. Being that my major is Social Media Communications I thought that it would be beneficial to identify the various social media sites out there and what I think of them in a pro vs con approach. Of course these are my opinions and do not reflect the views of Keiser University. 😉
The sites are listed in order from most used, to least used.
Facebook:
Most of us have a Facebook account, so I won’t go into too many details on this one. In a nutshell, this site allows users to share photos, videos, comments, private message, and (most recently) make purchases. Facebook is also a great site for individuals and businesses looking for free advertisement. Some of the recent changes have caused objections from users (including me), like their new messenger app and their targeted ad placements. I just find it annoying!
Twitter:
This one is a little different than Facebook. Users are allowed 140 characters to ‘tweet’ their message to their followers. One of the great features of Twitter is their hashtag system. Hashtagging allows you to categorize your ‘tweets’ and make them relevant to certain searches and what is trending. For instance, if I want to see what people are saying about KU I would search the hashtag #KeiserUEagles or #KeiserU. You can also private message other users, post pictures in your ‘tweets’, and personalize your profile. The only con for twitter that I can think of is that you can’t add video unless it’s from youtube and you are limited on the amount of photos you can post in a ‘tweet’. Twitter is a great way to send messages to a large audience.
LinkedIn:
This site is geared more towards professionals seeking networking and success. Think of it as the ‘resume’ of social media sites. Employers use LinkedIn to gain insight on applicants and their previous affairs. This is a great site to invest time in when looking for jobs. One con I have for this site is how overwhelming the site can be. There is so much going on in this site that it makes it hard to navigate. It almost seems too cluttered. However, if you take the time to figure out how to use the site, it can be beneficial to your career. Hopefully LinkedIn will make adjustments in the future to make the site more user friendly.
Pinterest:
One of my absolute favorites! This is not a site you use to connect with people on a personal level, but more so with their craft ideas and recipes. You use Pinterest to look at products and ideas you find of interest (notice the word interest in the name). I highly recommend this site, not only because it can make you a high end chef or fashion guru overnight, but it honestly has great tips and tricks that can save you lots of money and time! The absolute only con I can think of for Pinterest is that it should include a warning label before signing up that you will become highly addicted to the site. Yes, it is that good!
Instagram:
This is another one of my favorites, but why is it so far down the list? Instagram is a site that allows users to share photos and videos with their followers as well as send them privately. They also include an options panel to edit your photos with filters, cropping, tilt shift, etc. Instagram can take your picture from ordinary to extraordinary in just one filter. Another great feature of this site is that you can share your photos with your other social media sites (like Facebook and Twitter) with the click of a button. They also use the famous hashtag system originated by Twitter. Some of the cons off the top of my head would be it’s video feature limits you on the amount of time your videos can be. Also, I think they should implement a system that helps you keep track of who you’re following verses who is following you. Otherwise, Instagram is pretty awesome.
That concludes today’s lesson on social media sites 411. Remember, if used in moderation, social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, learn about what is going on all around the world, and can even be used for advertising. If you see a site you are unfamiliar with, create an account and try it out! You can always delete your account if you don’t like it. Don’t be afraid to try new things or you might get left behind, MySpace anyone? Seriously though, who uses that anymore?
As always, feel free to email me with your comments, questions, concerns, and suggestions!
Your fellow KU student,
My instructors believed in me. They were more than instructors, they tried to get to know you as a person and tried to understand your goals so they could push you towards them. Student services helped me find a job before I even graduated. Everyone was dedicated to my overall success.
