A few years ago, there were many professionals and others in specific industries who thought social media was a “fad.”  Looking presently at 2011, I would say that the social concept of new media and mobile communications is here to stay.  It many continue to evolve and change with new tools and features, but the same underlying principles of what it means to be a social communicator is networked into our system and is present in every activity we do in our daily lives.

Social media is with us every day and now can be accessed in many ways – from the computer to our phones to tablets – we are constantly connected and hungry for information, entertainment, relationships and networking opportunities, and online prestige.

This is present across various social media platforms where we practice this in different ways.  For example, we check in via Foursquare to share our opinion at a new restaurant to achieve specific badges and rewards. We play social games like Farmville and Mafia Wars to achieve higher levels and get rewards or other incentives.  We search for the best deal we can to experience new activities and places with Groupon and Living Social.  We are using social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to look for jobs.  We use specific apps to connect with others and search for information based on location including Ness. We value our influence scores on social media platforms like real currency with checking into various influence sites like Klout, PeerIndex, and TweetLevel.  These are just a few ways in which social media has become one with our daily activities in almost all realms.

Brian Solis made some great points in an article published on Fast Company about the current status of social media in 2011 and what are some of the considerations and trends we all need to be aware of.  Social media has allowed people to have a window into what people are sharing, commenting, and discussing in various communities and issues.  This insight is available in a more transparent and global way than ever before, and for businesses and professionals – this can have many implications both professionally and personally.

The issue is not whether or not a new medium is social or not – social is integrated into our very personal, professional, and corporate DNA.  It is part of our reputation and how we define and distinguish ourselves in our community, profession, and even to the world.  We use it to market ourselves professionally and personally.  At the same time, we are using it to search for new information, insights, research, and reports to help us become more informed and educated about the evolution of the new technology.

As Brian Solis pointed out, social is invasive and is changing how we operate in our daily activities.  I wouldn’t necessary state that it is invasive  – but more like it is a presenting a microscope lens and focus into activities and practices that have been present in various stages in the past, but are now accessible in a more specific and minute perspective for the world to see on the virtual global stage.

Hope you all are having a great day.

Best Wishes,

Karen