Absolutely Incredible! That’s the only way I can really describe what is taking place in Social Media right now. There are a couple of companies that have been absolute GIANTS in the industry for quite some time now (Google, AOL, MSN, Yahoo: the trend seems to be search engines), and each of these companies are doing there best right now at either: A. Acquiring social media platforms; B. Creating Social Media platforms; or C. Attempting to recreate the existing user interface to feel more like social media. I can’t say that I disagree with their ideas, after Facebook decided it was going to capture 1/10th of the entire internet population it seemed as though you have to meet that demand for easy access to OTHER PEOPLE.
Recently I have been reading a lot about how sites like facebook and twitter plan on adjusting their business plans to create an easier UI, or just become more entry level friendly. In facebook’s attempt at doing so they basically copied Twitter (can’t blame them, twitter is taking off like the Florida fires of ’98 and has no business model, oh well). No need to worry though, where there is one copycat, there is another. Just today I read an article on AOL has plans on implementing an idea it’s been designing that will be very similar to that of facebook. AOL just recently purchases a social media outlet and is already attempting to “test” it currently. It basically is just a way that will connect AOL users to OTHER AOL users like a facebook newsfeed.
With all of this social media buzz going around I just wonder how long it’ll be until someone designs a WELL done one stop application to serve all of those needs. Something that won’t take up me Start Menu toolbar (ie having AIM open, facebook, linkedin, twitter, etc). Why doesn’t someone come up with an idea for a system that will put all of those things in one toolbar that can sit on the right of my monitor. I understand there are buddy list consolidators but nothing that will stop me from having open windows for facebook and twitter. Oh well…it’ll happen and I’ll be in line.
Social Media…what a concept. Soon enough I will be using those resources to make money also…I’ve seen it done. We should start teaching social media marketing in schools (college). The online game gets left out of TOO many college level education these days. In a hurt economy the internet is something that can still strive and still needs employees to serve, so let’s teach our youth THOSE skills. Just a thought…
