Is Social Media A Fad? Social Media Revolution Video

The questions around what exactly social media is and its long term impact aren’t exactly new.  Personally I’m a data junkie and I feel data always helps make very compelling arguments.  What we have here is a great data driven case around what is really happening with social media and the impacts on everything that we do.  This isn’t exactly a brand new video.  It is a good eight months old according to YouTube, but this doesn’t take anything away from its impact.  So if you haven’t seen it already take a look:

Some Interest Facts From The Video

  • ByGen Y will outnumber Baby Boomers
  • 1 out of 8 couples married in the U.S. last year have met via social media
  • If Facebook were a country, it would be the world’s 4th largest
  • YouTube is the 2nd largest search engine in the world

Specifically there are some interesting educational stats that are included.

  • 2009 U.S. Department of Education study revealed that on average, online students outperformed those receiving face-to-face instruction
  • 1 in 6 higher education students are enrolled in online curriculum
  • 80% of companies are using LinkedIn as their primary tool to find employees
  • In 2009, Boston College stopped distributing e-mail addresses to incoming freshmen

With all of these online students, what kind of problems does that pose for a traditional school and dorms? It was a while back that Director of Web Marketing wrote about how online education is changing.  If the data above is fully accurate then colleges and universities have a lot to worry about unless they are willing to adapt.  With LinkedIn beginning to hold such an important function in the hiring process this puts a lot of pressure on Career Services to fully take advantage of this platform or risk becoming irrelevant.

The video states it best:

Social Media isn’t a fad, it’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate.

Besides all these interesting facts, the video is a perfect example of how to promote an online book through an interesting and engaging video.  Great content and now it has me interested in checking out the Socialnomics book.

So what are your thoughts on the data?  Any other great videos on this topic?

12 Responses to “Is Social Media A Fad? Social Media Revolution Video”

  1. Says:

    I never get tired of watching that video, and I’ve used it a few times to get the point across about the impact of social media. But if you really want to talk business, my data-loving friend, you should watch a related video: Social Media ROI: Socialnomics. The evidence presented here is still very much anecdotal, but it contains enough data and numbers to help make a business case for social media.

    Thanks, as always, for prodding us to think. ;)

    • Says:

      Are you sure that it’s not the music that keeps you watching the video? I know how you love your music. :)

      As for the other video that you linked too I remember at least half that data when it came out. Truth of the matter is most of that is about creative ways of marketing. Social media was just the channel. It’s been a while since I wrote it, but marketing is still about being creative and really that iis what made those campaigns special. I’m sure there are plenty of other social media campaigns that aren’t so successful.

      Just saying. :) It’s all about playing the numbers game!

  2. Says:

    Founder-

    We are making a higher ed version of the Social Media ROI video.

    https://www.markgr.com/higher-ed-social-media-roi-the-video/

    I encourage anyone interested to join the wiki and help contribute to the video.

  3. Says:

    Mark - Thanks for the reminder! I keep meaning to jump in on that project, but March is the second-cruelest month on this campus, and April is just around the corner.

  4. Says:

    NOTE: Facebook is now the 3rd largest country in the world.

  5. Says:

    Business has always had to change with the times. It has been an absolutey amazing thing to watch happen.

  6. Says:

    I do agree. social media isn’t a FAD with so much of importance it has gained even in many remote places of the world. but how long would you think is this trend gonna continue? something definitely will take over this trend so what will be the next big change????

  7. Says:

    I really like youtube but yeah it can have some bad things on it. Like with illegal material and stuff.

  8. Says:

    i have tried social media marketing for getting our new products to be known on the market. it seems to work well specially if the audience is targeted .

  9. Says:

    Sign me up! I think social media is extremely exciting and get most of my info off twitter. It’s fast, short, concise real-time.I have no patience for people/companies who do not do their research before jumping into the fray. Either participate in social media full out, professional, dedicated employees monitoring it, updating frequently, engaging in conversation with your followers

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    [...] further reading, try .eduGuru, or Erik Qualman. Both believe social media has a purpose and is here to [...]