THE SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY by Ibrahim Solomon

Social media is the interaction among people in which they share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Geocities created in 1994 was one of the first social media sites, the concept was for users to create their own websites but by 2014, social media has taken up a life of its and its integral to daily life and productivity.

Social media take on many forms including internet forums, wikis, social networks, video, ratings, pictures and photographs. However, technologies of social media include blogging, music sharing, wall- posts etc. Blogs and microblogs such as the widespread twitter, WordPress, Blogger to content communities like YouTube including core social media networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Myspace ,Bebo, Orkut, Zorpia, the Virtual game world such as World of Warcraft and not excluding the popular Virtual social world, second life are excellent examples of social media sites and its influence.

STATISTICS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE

•  Consumers spend more time on social networks than on other sites
•  Facebook remains the most visited social network; in the USA 152.2 million visitors via PC, 78.4million via mobile app, 74.3million visitors via mobile web 
• 51% of people age 25-34 use social networks in the office
•  Over 70 languages on Facebook and average time usage is 20 minutes.
•  1.19 billion people in the world use social networks
•  In Nigeria 6,630,200 people use social networks and Nigeria is ranked 32nd in the world with penetration of 3.9%.

USING SOCIAL NETWORKS TO BOOST YOUR CAREER

 The year 2012 was a great year for the social media in business and the job market. However, 92%  of companies use social networks to hire, 89% have made a hire through LinkedIn, 26% through Facebook and 15% through twitter.

TIPS ON USING SOCIAL NETWORK TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

• Create a social network page eg   facebook page or a twitter account
• Describe your business and give information concerning it.
• Share your page, blog or information
• Post news
• Update it

THE DO’S AND DON'TS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The Do's:

      -  Create a personal brand

      -  Content and packaging

      -   Use professional photo

      -   Add your experience(s)

      -   Create a headline that sells

      -   Create a key rich summary

      -   Get recommendation(s)

The Don’ts

      -  Don’t lie on social media
      -  Make sure your information is error free.
      -  Don't post anything that might offend someone else
      - Don't join groups that make you sound irresponsible 

         or anti-establishment
     - Don't become obsessed with social media

THE ADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA

      -  Opportunity to learn and share

      -  Develop and maintain global connections i.e. friendship

      -   Ability to be known and found

      -  Social media for news purpose e.g.  CNN, STV, BBC, CHANNELS etc

THE DISADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA

      -  Exposure to images such as sexual behavior, alcohols and
       pornography to children

In conclusion, the social media has been used in order to promote marketing research, communication, sales and relationship development.