Social Media is about Connecting
Social media is a great tool for meeting incredible people, and engaging with customers if you’re a brand. While I agree, that’s not what this post is about.
I’d like to talk right now about how we can utilize social media in positive, socially beneficial ways. Not so say that marketing isn’t socially beneficial….yay capitalism! But let’s ignore Skittles, Zappos and Comcast for the time being.
Social Media is a great way to help engage with your customers, develop brand image, and pimp your latest blog entry *cough-guilty-cough*. But there are other ways that I have seen social media used. For example, to help others and to share relevant useful information without regard, necessarily, to selling a product or brand. Here are the top 5 ways I have seen the power of social media used for the greater good most recently:
- Fundraising for a Cause: Several of my favorite people on both Twitter and Facebook have used their networks to help raise money for their favorite charities. The team over at New Edge Media along with honorary team member Steve Plunkett, helped raise money for The National Lupus Foundation. Together they were able to, as a team, raise over $500 for a walk they particpated in. Pam Singleton, from Sonitrol, has used social media as a great way to help spread the news and gain publicity and funds for the Relay for Life Organization in Portland Oregon. I have seen many others spreading the message of their efforts throughout their networks and ultimately gaining a great deal of support.
- Breaking News: If an earthquake happens in California surely Twitter hears about it first. If a plane goes down, Twitter will hear about it first. This can be particularly useful in helping to get help to areas that need it, getting information to families who may be involved and even alerting traditional media of breaking events. There was even a case of an individual who notified their friends of having been arrested in a foreign country via Twitter causing them to investigate and ultimately get the appropriate parties involved.
- Disseminating Public Health Information: I know we’re all probably fairly sick of hearing about the “swine flu” already. However, an illness that has already killed over 100 people and is quickly popping up across the globe really should be getting its fair share of publicity. Social media can definitely propagate a flood of misinformation, especially in these types of easily over-sensationalized news cases. But if users are diligent (yes I know that can some times be asking too much) about their intake of information, consider their sources and do some verification on their own, social media can be an incredibly effective way to disseminate helpful information.
- Saving Lives: While there has only been one case that I know of for sure, Twitter can be used to save lives. This user in particular threatened suicide. A celebrity (Mrs. Kutcher, aka Demi Moore) caught wind of this and helped to get the appropriate parties involved thereby thwarting the event. I’ve already seen one other similar event on Twitter in which the person was essentially threatening to commit suicide and was consequently contacted by many users once the Twittersphere became aware. While I’m not suggesting Twitter becomes the next ‘Boys Town National Hotline’ it is nice to see people still caring for one another and reaching out in times of need.
- Education: If anyone has attended a conference or other event since Twitter’s recent rise in popularity then you know how great it is to keep track of people and conversations. Facebook can be a great platform for sharing articles and links with other individuals in your circle as well. However it seems that there’s a growing trend to use it as an actual educational tool. Whether used for live tweeting events and speakers, or in more of an information sharing platform there can indeed be a huge ‘value-add’ to the educational system if social media is integrated thoughtfully.
Surely there are other ways we can utilize this powerful tool to help others. Please let me know if you’ve seen other types of initiatives that I’ve not included. I’d love to add to this list!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the mention! Hasn’t really seen it used in education just yet, but I know Texas State is at least getting there.
Great post and nice pony pictures..
I have found using social for some good causes can become addictive, especially with Twitter where it takes so little to do so much. I remember during the Mumbai attacks people where getting the right blood to hospitals that needed it and verifying if family members were alive or not.
However, I have also often found that free is sometimes a turn off. I have volunteered for 2 programs to date for charity where I have been flat out ignored or refused. It is funny but sometimes taking money and then donating that money is the only way some companies feel your work is worth it.
I love each point and feel I have personally been involved in each of them over the last few months.
It might be a nice touch to offer some ideas for people who want to do more in each of these areas. Give some example on what they can do or point them in some directions.
Cheers.
@Brent – The Mumbai attacks are a great example!! That should definitely have been included as well.
Some people said they thought they were creepy…I think they’re cute 
I also really like the idea of adding ideas for those that would like to do more. I’ll add a follow-up to this with those ideas to my writing list! Oh…and glad you liked the ponies
@Kate – I’m glad to hear that Texas State is moving in the right direction. It seems so often that academia is the last one onboard, but I see great potential for those willing to jump in the water now!