Influencer.O

There are many people on Twitter that influence others on the topic of social media.  One of them and my personal favorite is Daniel Tosh, commonly known after his hit television show on Comedy Central, Tosh.O.   

I consider Tosh an influencer because he pushes the limits of tension among society with videos that most people would think twice about airing.  He uses humor and audience participation to shape the content of his show and outreach.

Another aspect Tosh does well is engage with his twitter followers.  With over seven million followers and a Klout score of 85, he stays busy.  He encourages his followers to tweet him and the tweets he likes he shares on his weekly show.  Additionally given his amount of quality followers he asks his them to tweet using a particular hashtag.  In most cases what ever he asked them to hashtag starts to trend right away.  He has the power to influence us.

I would engage with Tosh in a few ways.  One way would be to submit videos to him of things that I have done or things that I have come across while on the Internet.  In doing this I get a chance to add to the show and be directly engaged in trending topics. 

I would also engage Tosh regarding his upcoming comedy tour.  While he is known as a comedian, most of his material for his jokes is found on the Internet.  Engaging with him regarding his upcoming tour could allow you to learn more on the details, thus increasing attendance, but also could lead to your ideas being worked into a skit or something.           

Whether you think he is funny or not, he has proven himself to be an influential individual within the social media realm.  So next time you are looking for something to watch or search check out Tosh.O.  I am sure you will have a laugh and who knows, maybe be a part of a new trending topic? 

 

Glass gone Viral

Many organizations set out to have their video, image, or content go viral.  Unfortunately this vision remains just a dream for must.  Other people have no intention of something going viral and it does.  You cannot make something go viral.  If you follow this equation, your chances of the next viral craze increase.

Viral equation:

Worthy content + share-ability = virality

Although the components of the equation seem simple they are rather difficult to create.  You must be creative, understand your audience and ideally start a conversation.

One product that has gone viral in the last two weeks is Glass, the latest in product innovation from Google.  This product allows you to see and share what is happening in real time.  This video demonstrates a day with Google’s new product Glass. 

This video went viral because it meets the variables in the viral equation. Google has established credibility as king of the Internet.  The content in this video has an objective, get people excited about Google Glass. Glass is the first of its kind.  Google did an excellent job executing this promotional video and placing it on YouTube where it has been viewed by more that 15 million people.  The viewer actually gets to experience what it would be like wearing the glasses.  Lastly this video creates a conversation and a buzz regarding the new product.  People are now excited and what to know more and share it with their friends.

 The second variable, share-ability, is met in this video as well.  People get excited about technology.  The chance to get involved with the next best things is undeniably intriguing.  People watch this video to see what is next.  They want to know how they will be able to get glass and improve their own experience from having Glass. Google, as mentioned above has made itself know as a leader in the technology industry and people want to know what the product is and what it is all about.  

Google produced this ad well and it has gone viral.  People will continue to get excited and purchase Glass when it becomes available thanks to the viral exposure. 

Dependent on Mobile

To say, “mobile devices have changed the way we function,” would be an understatement.   Over the past three years mobile devices have changed the way we do almost everything.  According to The Mobile Year in Review for 2012, much has changed in 2012.  Take a moment to check it out.

Lets recap some facts.

1.)  More than 50% of Americans have smart phones.

2.)  Apple sold more mobile devices than they sold computers this year.

Thanks to mobile devices almost everyone has access to everything instantly.

Crazy right?  Not really.  Now, I will be the first to admit I love my iPhone, probably a little too much, but why?  Take a look at your phone right now. What can you do?  Better question.  What can’t you do?

Currently, using my phone I can:

• Communicate via calls, text, and emails
• Handle all of my banking
• Board a plane
• Use it as a GPS
• Receive my news
• Take and share photos
• Check the weather
• Use it as my alarm
• Access all types of social media
• Entrain myself (watch videos)

Needless to say I use my phone for everything.  Cell phones have allowed us instant access to a selective world with in seconds, thus changing the way function today.

I think we can all agree that mobile technology has changed how we function today, but is the growth of mobile coming at a negative cost?  I would venture to say to some extent, yes.  Personally my reliance on my cell phone is something that I am ashamed of. Furthermore, I become annoyed when I’m with a group of friends and everyone has their phone out.  This dependency will not allow us to put aside our phones and engage with those in our physical presence. Interestingly others share this feeling. There are now restaurants offering discounts to customers that check their phone in with a hostess.

Who knows where mobile is heading next?  According to Forbes, within the next three years, there will be over 10 billion smart phones, more than double the current number.

We could be looking at a world where currency, books, photos, and keys are all things of the past.  One thing is for sure, mobile has changed all of our lives and mobile will lead us into the future.

Speed change for Social? Not anytime soon.

When asked, “How do you think the rise of digital communications and social media has changed the way we communicate?” word vomit begins.   Digital communication and social media are nearly impossible to avoid, and therefore have moved our entire world into an electronic, filter fed, immediate culture.

Don’t agree?  Take a look at this video.  Social Media Revolution 2012, suggests that social media is not a fad and that it is changing the way our world works.

One specific example of the changes in ways we communicate is the speed.   Through social media and digital communication we can connect and respond with others instantly.

Good digital communication and social media are immediate.  Through these platforms we are able to share whatever is going on around us (whether its personal or not) within seconds.   We can decide to share everything about ourselves the instant they are happening.  Where we are, what we are doing, how we feel, who we are with, and what we are thinking are all made public in seconds.

Digital communication allows us to connect instantly with others near and far.  Whether you are out visiting friends, connecting with someone you have never actually met or, for work, you connect with another branch across the country.  It can all happen in real time.

The speed and relevance of these platforms has proved to be so impactful that social media now can affect news and what is covered by the news.  For example, the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson was first notified to news crews via Twitter.   Additionally, businesses can instantly gather feedback from consumers to improve their product and enhance customer service.

So regardless of what social media and digital communication platforms you use, remember they have completely changed where we are today with respect to communicating: from the ways we stay connected with one another, buy products, receive our news, and even entertain ourselves.