Fear of Missing Out vs. Fear of Moving On: Two different issues in the social media ecosystem

There are a lot of challenges PR professors, along with students and professionals, face in social media. I have been approached over the years with questions ranging from what tools should be used or focused on in the classroom or in businesses. What are the main books to use for social media classes as well as what are some of the latest and greatest tools that need to be incorporated immediately?

What do I say in these cases? First, I am honest and say that it is sometimes hard to keep up with the technology and teaching social media is a constant prep. You always have to keep your eyes open to trends, but also recognize what you can and can’t always cover in a specific period of time. I also advise how it’s never a bad thing to have more resources and books, but you have to adapt and review these more often than not in this field.

Yet, I don’t think this is what some people are looking for, which really made me think about what exactly is the core issue we are dealing with in the social media profession.

In many cases, we are having more of a FOMO issue than anything else. What do I mean by that? It’s the “Fear of Missing Out” syndrome we are witnessing in social media. People and brands are afraid of missing out on a new opportunity, venture, or platform to get their 15 minutes (or in some cases 15 seconds) of instant recognition on social media, on various technology blogs, and in their respective communities.

However, I think what is also interesting is the other side of FOMO, which is also FOMO, or “Fear of Moving On.” That’s one of the key struggles we are seeing in social media. Many brands and professionals put their reputation, identity, and investment in tools and platforms that may have a certain longevity in their lifespan, but then users are off to the next new shiny thing.

There are certainly ways to reduce FOMO as professors, professionals, and students.

• Social media will always evolve. Recognizing that this is the case – whether it is for more mobile apps or virtual reality opportunities, there will be constant change.
• Learn and grow along with the tools. Be adaptive and go along with the experience. You will have your skills, experiences, and point of view to share always, and being willing to share them will always be receptive to your communities and audiences.
• Influencers also are guilty of FOMO: I see this all of the time. These individuals will jump on a platform, use and promote themselves by leading on this platform, and then increase their activity even when the audience is moving on. Some have gotten their influence due to these platforms, and once these platforms go out of the limelight – they do as well. It’s been an interesting phenomenon to look at here to see how this changes and contributes to the overall social media ecosystem and I’d be interesting in hearing what others think about this.
• Experiment, but have a strategy in place for the future: While it is key to experiment and learn through the process of a new platform, it’s also important to have a strategy in place. Look at each tool and their lifecycle and don’t put all of your eggs in one basket, or in this case one platform on social media. Extend your reach by having a variety of different paths to choose from – because it one ends, you can form new ones or go down other established paths. There will always be options.
• It’s okay to “miss out.” There is a time and place to experiment. There are going to be some trends you may jump on, and others you may want to wait and see what happens. This is perfectly fine! I know I have seen trends that I have not participated in, but other friends have and let me get a window into what they have learned from their experiences. You don’t always have to do everything.
• Each test is a learning experience. While it is okay to miss out on a few things, you don’t wait to be afraid of jumping on a trend that may not catch on. That’s what happens in life – there are some things that work, and there are others that do not. You get a great learning experience overall.

Overall, I think there should be two FOMOs to consider exploring here for social media and PR professionals and students. While it is hard to keep up with the constant changes we are seeing in social media, we will always feel in some way we are “missing out.” However, we also have to recognize the life cycles for each of these platforms – while some are long standing – others have come and go, so we can’t be afraid of “moving on” to new ventures, communities, and tools. That’s what life is all about – and that’s to explore, learn, and develop new forms of communities and experiences to enhance our overall perspective and contribution to others and to our own understanding.

Hope you all are having a great day.

Best Wishes,