The PR Insider, an online newsletter I subscribe to, had some interesting statistics about the increase of social networking.
- Since April, Twitter has gained 40 million users and a 62 percent increase in mobile use of the platform. (Source: ClickZ)
- LinkedIn has grown by an impressive 100 percent from last year; it now has more than 100 million users across the globe. Interestingly, 56% of these users are from outside of the US. (Econsultancy)
- Back in January 2010, Facebook had 350 million active users across the globe. It now has in excess of 640 million – half of which log in daily. (Econsultancy)
- Social networks are no longer a trend. They are a fact of life for millions of Americans. (EMSI)
The article concludes, “This all stands to figure as Americans are being forced to do more with less. They have to make ends meet with less money, get more work done in less time and take care of their families despite the growing demands of earning money through more than one job. Social networking allows Americans to get news, stay in touch with friends and promote their business interests.”
I had never thought about money, or lack thereof, as being a reason for increased social networking, but it does connect us more easily and faster and suddenly the world is a much smaller place. We connect with family, friends and business associates without spending a penny. New, potential markets are reached as marketing budgets are leveraged with just a click of our mouse. (A two month inexpensive ad campaign increased “Likes” for my book’s Facebook page by 952%!) Maybe there is a money component to this.
I have to admit I’ve seen social networking as a necessary evil (and I wasn’t too sure about the necessary part). But, if I shift that box and alter my view to include this new thinking, perhaps I too can accept it as a positive fact of life. How about you?
The truth is I believe there is a money component to everything we do—guess I just forgot for a minute!
2 thoughts on “More for Less?”
I guess I’m one of the few who decided that the social networks weren’t worth the effort. Tried them and cancelled them. I’ll stick with emails.
Living 1/2 way round the world in Viet Nam as I am right now the social connection phenomenon takes on a whole different aura. It is an analog, a metaphor and a vehicle for the expression of the Oneness of Humanity. Like any other tool it is up to us to give it spirit and intention. Just as money is an expression of what we value so too is the social network an expression of how and why and in what ways we choose to manifest our connectedness as Human Beings. In the midst of all of these tools and resources we are alive and free to make use of them and define them as we will…to give them souls if you will.