What makes social media different than previous industry media? Well, I could give countless explanations. Yet what I’ll focus on here is a concept about the meaning, value and explosion of personalized connections.
I’ve read that one of the properties of sales people is to create serendipity (unfortunately I don’t remember the source). Certainly word-of-mouth has always been critical in sales as well. And now both of these aspects take on roles in today’s social media phenomenon.
Word-of-mouth is easily seen in Web 2.0 – call it “buzz,” “viral” or even “word-of-keyboard” communications – W.O.M. takes on new, greater life online. But serendipity? Think about it – the internet is full of connections – previously made and potentially made in future. The “magic” of common interests explodes, with like-minded people sharing thoughts. Stats grow annually on romantic relationships meeting and growing via social and online sites. New concepts and inspirations blossom via online groups; open-source and crowdsourcing become new ways of building and expediting the business of ideas – this is brainstorming like it’s never existed before!
In his book Trust Agents, social media author Chris Brogan talks about the “church” of the internet (for more on this, see my previous blog post). And why not? There is definite community, passion, collective belief sharing – devotion – shared online. We as consumers spend more free time (and work) online and in social sites than ever before. We reduce our addiction to passive-consumption entertainment television to embrace the participatory, creative culture of social media, according to Clay Shirkey in his book Cognitive Surplus (for more on this, see previous blog post).
More time spent, more connections occurred – magic can happen on social media. Serendipity. The electric buzz that sparks our minds, our hearts, and yes – even our souls. Do you feel it? Do you create, and contribute to it? Do you feel your passions rise in this new world?
Electronic serendipity. We make the choice to harness it to better those around us and ourselves – or miss it.
Like what you read? Have more to add? Comment below, and let’s connect!
Jake Aull | Zen Fires | Websites, SEO, SocialMedia & Design
email | 404.259.5550 | @jakeaull | Facebook.com/ZenFires
