I think that social networking is probably the most significant use of new media technology that is now available to the mass public. While some of the services now offered are simplistic and almost limiting, there is an effect that the means of mass communication has had on the entire world.
Twitter.com is an excellent example of this occurrence. While having a limit of less then 160 characters and only allow text, these messages that are sent out to a list of followers would seem anything but a part of new media technology but because of the way that the messages are sent and information disseminated, it is a groundbreaking way of spreading instant information. At the heart of Twitter are small bursts of information called Tweets. Each Tweet is 140 characters in length, but don’t let the small size fool you—you can share a lot with a little space. Connected to each Tweet is a rich details pane that provides additional information, deeper context and embedded media. You can tell your story within your Tweet, or you can think of a Tweet as the headline, and use the details pane to tell the rest with photos, videos and other media content. I personally have never used Twitter. I have many friends that have created accounts and do it on a family occasion. Twitter connects businesses to customers in real-time. Businesses use Twitter to quickly share information with people interested in their products and services, gather real-time market intelligence and feedback, and build relationships with customers, partners and influential people. From brand lift, to CRM, to direct sales, Twitter offers businesses a chance to reach an engaged audience
Facebook has taken the world by storm and now includes hundreds of millions of users across the globe. The ability for this service to spread more then just a short text message is closer online to what new media technology has to offer to the consumer experience.
By spreading pictures, music, movies and text over Facebook, we are pushing the limits of what new media technology can provide and it will undoubtedly change the world in which we live. Facbook for me personally has been a place where I can reconnect with friends from long ago and even reconnect with some of my mother's friends that were around when I was a small child. Amazingly, for such a new concept as new media technology, there is a significant amount of new media jobs now available on the market. Because of the complicated technology and intensive education process that it takes to educate an individual in new media, there have been a variety of new media technology colleges that have sprung up to meet the demand. Besides these new colleges and education facilities, traditional colleges and universities are stepping up their media programs to include new technology to ensure that their graduates are keeping up with the market trends.
Almost any four-year university or accredited college will offer new media technology courses. This demand for students to fill new media careers will not balance out for a few years and students entering post-secondary education systems should take note of the market trends.
Blogs are another example of some media outlets. The Internet is overflowing with blogs. At last count, well over 100 million blogs are being tracked by Technorati. With so many blogs out there, it’s important for writers to understand the purpose of their blog. That’s why I’m posing the question: what’s the point of your blog? Many of us have come upon blogs with no purpose and reason. Many people today are blogging to write out their feelings online. Is this right? I guess that depends on who really cares. Linkedin is a very toned down social networking site that basically allows you to connect to any that accepts your invitation and is supposed to be a way to network professionally. I personally use it to connect with existing and old friendships in case I may go in a given field that one of my friends is in. Advancing in today's world is still about who you know and by developing a large network of people in all different industries will be to your advantage. Just like having a plumber friend who can help fix your plumbing problems, an IT friend who can give you advice on technology, a lawyer friend who can give you free legal advice, or a doctor friend who can give you free medical advice. These professionals would be able to either help you get a job in their industry or be able to point you to places that will make getting a job easier for you than if you tried with no assistance.
Some people blog to achieve high search engine rankings for their target terms. While I certainly think it’s wise to optimize your blog, your sole purpose shouldn’t be search engine placement. Like I always say, what’s the point of getting great search engine rankings if your content is terrible?
Don’t ignore SEO on your blog, but don’t just publish post after post of keyword-stuffed, filler content either. Remember, what sets a blog apart from traditional static content is the interactivity. A blog can’t be successful without a dedicated following of interested readers. That’s why it’s crucial to place a premium on quality content over all else. If your content is compelling and optimized, you’ll get both high search engine rankings and a lively community
