Introduction
Part 1
Social media is composed of Internet-based applications that allow people to create and share User Generated Content on the application (Barczyk, Casimir, & Duncan 99). Prominent social networking sites include: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube, and Snapchat. These popular applications have changed the way humans communicate. Each social network differs slightly in purpose but all allow for user generated content. For example, LinkedIn is a popular site for business professionals looking to connect with colleagues, interest groups, and organizations. YouTube allows users to upload and view videos from others around the world. Tumblr, Instagram and Twitter are microblogs—smaller forms of blogs—which enable users to upload photos, quotes, videos, and texts. With Snapchat users can send and receive pictures, and videos from other users as well as upload and view “stories” which are visible to a user’s friends.
According to Social Networking Media: An Approach for the Teaching of International Business, it was estimated that, “70% of all online users utilized some form of social media,” (Barczyk, Casimir, & Duncan 102). In conjunction with this information, a separate study also found that roughly two-thirds of adults are on social media (Barczyk, Casimir, & Duncan 100). What makes social media so enticing is that it unlike traditional media which is one-way, social media enables two-way communication and allows users to not only to join a conversation, but to contribute to it as well (Barczyk, Casimir, & Duncan 100).
Part Two
In recent years, business and organizations have joined the social media conversation as well. Social networking platforms are hubs for users to connect and share ideas and have also been incorporated into business strategies as a way to promote products (Barczyk, Casimir, & Duncan 99) and directly communicate with customers and interested consumers. Businesses are utilizing social networks as a way market services, recruit and train employees and develop new ideas (Barczyk, Casimir, & Duncan 99). According to the same article, research found that, “85% of Americans expect companies to interact with consumers by means of social media, its importance as a communication channel is growing rapidly” (Barczyk, Casimir, & Duncan 99). The way organizations do business with other organizations and communicate with consumers has evolved as a result of social media.
Conclusion
The world and the way humans communicate is rapidly changing. Social networks are revolutionary in the way it is altering the way people and businesses communicate with other around the world. Today, humans are more connected than ever and have the power to send and receive information from anyone at any time with the touch of a button. It is evident the importance and influence that social networks have on daily life.
Works Cited Page
Barczyk, Casimir C., and Doris G. Duncan. "Social Networking Media: An Approach for the
Teaching of International Business." Journal of Teaching in International Business 23.2
(2012): 98. Web.
