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15 Things Social Media Can Do for You Today

by David Finch · June 19, 200938 comments

David Finch

David Finch

Social media is a bridge that gives you access to people, stories, and companies that at one time you didn’t have access to. It facilitates conversations that previously came by invitation only. It tears down walls and allows you to see and participate “behind the curtain.”

This whole thought of the “What Social Media Can Do for You,” has really been at the forefront of my thinking and conversation this week. Watching and listening through multiple social media channels of the ground conversations taking place around the Iranian elections has been extremely interesting, as it was during the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

We often get so engrossed in the ROI, measurements, and tools of social media that we forget real life examples of how social media can work. For example, can you recall what your world was like before social media compared to now. I guarantee it has changed.

It’s changed for me. Here’s my list and something you can build upon.

What Social Media Can Do for You

  1. Allows you to participate in networks that at one time you didn’t have access to.
  2. Gives you access to thought leaders
  3. Connects you to employment opportunities
  4. Grants you an opportunity to have face-to-face conversations with brands
  5. Brings the world closer to you
  6. Allows you the ability to build a global network easier
  7. Provides a platform to build and promote a personal brand
  8. Increases the opportunity to become a thought leader in your area of expertise
  9. Provides income opportunities
  10. Gives you access to raw journalism often times not available to mainstream media outlets
  11. Connects you with business opportunities – partnerships and funding
  12. Gives you a platform to be heard, if you’re willing to take time to listen to others.
  13. Give you access to information faster, easier and in real time.
  14. Makes it easier to share information with your networks
  15. Through technology and social media channels you have instant access to communities and networks at all time.

OK, there’s my fifteen. What would you add to this list? What opportunity has social media provided for you? What has changed for you?

Leave a comment and share your story.

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About David Finch

David Finch

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Tagged as: mass media, media, Media And Journalism, Online Public Relations, Technology, Twitter

Comments & Reactions

Comments Policy

Comments on Social Media Explorer are open to anyone. However, I will remove any comment that is disrespectful and not in the spirit of intelligent discourse. You are welcome to leave links to content relevant to the conversation, but I reserve the right to remove it if I don't see the relevancy. Be nice, have fun. Fair?

  • http://www.jobmarketsuccess.com/2009/06/the-beauty-of-social-media/ The beauty of social media | Job Market Success

    [...] an excellent article, David Finch mentions fifteen things that social media can do for you. Some of his points that are [...]

  • http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/06/a-little-late-june-weekend-link-love/ A Little Late June Weekend Link Love : Freelance Writing Jobs

    [...] 15 Things Social Media Can Do For You Today at Social Media Explorer [...]

  • http://perkettprsuasion.com/2009/06/19/persuasive-picks-for-the-week-of-061409/ Persuasive Picks for the week of 06/14/09 : PerkettPRsuasion – The PerkettPR Blog

    [...] 15 Things Social Media Can Do for You Today David Finch believes “We often get so engrossed in the ROI, measurements, and tools of social media that we forget real life examples of how social media can work.” To support that notion he shares 15 ways social media can help change the way you interact online. [...]

  • http://twitter.com/GaryDale Gary Dale Cearley

    There's a good list! I also would put that it allows you to create personal relationships with almost everyone related to all of these points. For instance, I just saw this on Twitter and I don't know you. But the conversation is open now and although I am in Bangkok and you are wherever you are we are now connected. You touch on this when you say the ability to build a global network easier but this can be more than just a “network”. It can be friends.

  • http://twitter.com/GaryDale Gary Dale Cearley

    There's a good list! I also would put that it allows you to create personal relationships with almost everyone related to all of these points. For instance, I just saw this on Twitter and I don't know you. But the conversation is open now and although I am in Bangkok and you are wherever you are we are now connected. You touch on this when you say the ability to build a global network easier but this can be more than just a “network”. It can be friends.

  • http://twitter.com/GaryDale Gary Dale Cearley

    There's a good list! I also would put that it allows you to create personal relationships with almost everyone related to all of these points. For instance, I just saw this on Twitter and I don't know you. But the conversation is open now and although I am in Bangkok and you are wherever you are we are now connected. You touch on this when you say the ability to build a global network easier but this can be more than just a “network”. It can be friends.

  • http://twitter.com/GaryDale Gary Dale Cearley

    There's a good list! I also would put that it allows you to create personal relationships with almost everyone related to all of these points. For instance, I just saw this on Twitter and I don't know you. But the conversation is open now and although I am in Bangkok and you are wherever you are we are now connected. You touch on this when you say the ability to build a global network easier but this can be more than just a “network”. It can be friends.

  • http://twitter.com/GaryDale Gary Dale Cearley

    There's a good list! I also would put that it allows you to create personal relationships with almost everyone related to all of these points. For instance, I just saw this on Twitter and I don't know you. But the conversation is open now and although I am in Bangkok and you are wherever you are we are now connected. You touch on this when you say the ability to build a global network easier but this can be more than just a “network”. It can be friends.

  • http://sazbean.com/2009/06/22/internet-marketing-strategy-technology-june-22-2009/ Internet Marketing, Strategy & Technology – June 22, 2009 « Sazbean

    [...] 15 Things Social Media Can Do for You Today (Social Media Explorer) [...]

  • http://blog.mybuzz.com.tw tsangbor

    社交媒體能帶給你的15種好處!

  • http://blog.mybuzz.com.tw tsangbor

    社交媒體能帶給你的15種好處!

  • http://blog.mybuzz.com.tw tsangbor

    社交媒體能帶給你的15種好處!

  • http://blog.mybuzz.com.tw tsangbor

    社交媒體能帶給你的15種好處!

  • http://blog.mybuzz.com.tw tsangbor

    社交媒體能帶給你的15種好處!

  • http://schaefersolutions.blogspot.com/ Mark William Schaefer

    Good, succint list, David.

    There is another social media enabler I would add to the list: Pre-populate business relationships. This might be the real money-maker for most business people who depend on networking and sales leads for their living.

    I wrote a blog post with examples: http://bit.ly/VGpGe

    Thanks for the great post. Cheers!

    Mark Schaefer

    @markwschaefer

  • http://schaefersolutions.blogspot.com/ Mark William Schaefer

    Good, succint list, David.

    There is another social media enabler I would add to the list: Pre-populate business relationships. This might be the real money-maker for most business people who depend on networking and sales leads for their living.

    I wrote a blog post with examples: http://bit.ly/VGpGe

    Thanks for the great post. Cheers!

    Mark Schaefer

    @markwschaefer

  • http://schaefersolutions.blogspot.com/ Mark William Schaefer

    Good, succint list, David.

    There is another social media enabler I would add to the list: Pre-populate business relationships. This might be the real money-maker for most business people who depend on networking and sales leads for their living.

    I wrote a blog post with examples: http://bit.ly/VGpGe

    Thanks for the great post. Cheers!

    Mark Schaefer

    @markwschaefer

  • http://schaefersolutions.blogspot.com/ Mark William Schaefer

    Good, succint list, David.

    There is another social media enabler I would add to the list: Pre-populate business relationships. This might be the real money-maker for most business people who depend on networking and sales leads for their living.

    I wrote a blog post with examples: http://bit.ly/VGpGe

    Thanks for the great post. Cheers!

    Mark Schaefer

    @markwschaefer

  • http://www.jeremyjacobs.com/ Jeremy Jacobs

    Nice post David. It cuts to the chase.

  • http://www.jeremyjacobs.com/ Jeremy Jacobs

    Nice post David. It cuts to the chase.

  • http://www.jeremyjacobs.com/ Jeremy Jacobs

    Nice post David. It cuts to the chase.

  • http://www.jeremyjacobs.com/ Jeremy Jacobs

    Nice post David. It cuts to the chase.

  • http://www.thesavvynetworker.com zitagustin

    I would add that Social Media allows you to enhance and grow stronger relationships with folks that you first met offline through face to face networking. When you only see someone once a month, it can be difficult to feel connected or to keep that person “top of mind.” Social media allows you to keep your contacts closer in a way that is not intrusive. It also makes staying in touch easier and follow up then becomes follow through.

  • http://www.thesavvynetworker.com zitagustin

    I would add that Social Media allows you to enhance and grow stronger relationships with folks that you first met offline through face to face networking. When you only see someone once a month, it can be difficult to feel connected or to keep that person “top of mind.” Social media allows you to keep your contacts closer in a way that is not intrusive. It also makes staying in touch easier and follow up then becomes follow through.

  • http://www.thesavvynetworker.com zitagustin

    I would add that Social Media allows you to enhance and grow stronger relationships with folks that you first met offline through face to face networking. When you only see someone once a month, it can be difficult to feel connected or to keep that person “top of mind.” Social media allows you to keep your contacts closer in a way that is not intrusive. It also makes staying in touch easier and follow up then becomes follow through.

  • http://www.thesavvynetworker.com zitagustin

    I would add that Social Media allows you to enhance and grow stronger relationships with folks that you first met offline through face to face networking. When you only see someone once a month, it can be difficult to feel connected or to keep that person “top of mind.” Social media allows you to keep your contacts closer in a way that is not intrusive. It also makes staying in touch easier and follow up then becomes follow through.

  • http://www.nivsgroup.com/ Tianfu Li

    Great article on social media for businesses as well. I found all your points valid as to why we participate in different social media sites. Thank you for this great blog. This is why we are on twitter & facebook etc. http://bit.ly/lCJMp

    Thanks,
    Li

  • http://www.nivsgroup.com/ Tianfu Li

    Great article on social media for businesses as well. I found all your points valid as to why we participate in different social media sites. Thank you for this great blog. This is why we are on twitter & facebook etc. http://bit.ly/lCJMp

    Thanks,
    Li

  • http://www.nivsgroup.com/ Tianfu Li

    Great article on social media for businesses as well. I found all your points valid as to why we participate in different social media sites. Thank you for this great blog. This is why we are on twitter & facebook etc. http://bit.ly/lCJMp

    Thanks,
    Li

  • http://www.nivsgroup.com/ Tianfu Li

    Great article on social media for businesses as well. I found all your points valid as to why we participate in different social media sites. Thank you for this great blog. This is why we are on twitter & facebook etc. http://bit.ly/lCJMp

    Thanks,
    Li

  • http://www.andreavascellari.com/?p=2809 AndreaVascellari.com Radar for June 29th 2009 | Andrea Vascellari

    [...] 15 Things Social Media Can Do for You Today | Social Media Explorer – Social media is a bridge that gives you access to people, stories, and companies that at one time you didn’t have access to. It facilitates conversations that previously came by invitation only. It tears down walls and allows you to see and participate “behind the curtain.” [...]

  • huangqin
  • http://www.marketingsavant.com/2009/09/links-for-2009-09-11/ links for 2009-09-11

    [...] 15 Things Social Media Can Do for You Today | Social Media Explorer (tags: socialmedia) [...]

  • http://stilbezirk.de/modSite/?p=93 Social Media ist gut für Dich « stilbezirk Online Moderationen

    [...] oder: 15 Dinge, die Social Media für dich heute tun kann. Eine nette, persünliche Zusammenfassung und Meinung von David Finch auf Social Media Explorer. [...]

  • http://directmarketingobservations.com/2009/12/24/2010-will-be-the-year-of/ 2010 will be the year of… « Direct Marketing Observations

    [...] I’d say that 2009 was the year of listening and learning what social media is and what social media can do. But you know what? Yes 2010 will be the year that a lot of companies start to put rubber to the [...]

  • http://twitter.com/krista_redbox Krista Goon

    It gives me a faster way to catch up with my friends. Honestly these days I log on to social media to see what everyone is up to and if I wish to leave a comment or message, I can. All these conversations in cyberspace are the news I need to start my day. I just need to go to Twitter and find out all I need to know about the world. And I find that just way too cool. Where would I be without social media?

  • http://educlaytion.com/ Clay Morgan

    Great thoughts! I am discovering this piece some time after its creation but will be using some of your thoughts as I speak to job seekers tonight for a career workshop. Just wanted to say thanks.

  • http://directmarketingobservations.com/2011/08/31/14-guiding-principles-of-social-media/ 14 Guiding Principles of Social Media « Direct Marketing Observations

    [...] many ways that I can but also being respectful of their situation. Oddly, I try to tell them what social media can do for them and what it did for [...]

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