Ever since I was younger, I have had this application called “Podcasts” pre-installed on my iPhone. Not paying much attention to this application previously, I would make sure that it was placed in a folder in the back of my phone where it wouldn’t be in my way. I never paid attention to what this actually entailed, knowing that it was just a speaker recording themselves on different issues or topics that they chose to talk about. Since the last year or so, I had the opportunity to dive into this application and listen to what some speakers had to say. Just recently, I was able to tune into a podcast by the speaker, Sarah who really opened my mind up to they way in which social media can be positive and effective in such a negative world.
In this podcast, she touches on many subjects that help us enlighten the sometimes “dark” and negative ways in which social media effects us individually. I thought that she did a very good job in the way that she demonstrated each of her main points in this podcast. She was able to take the aspects in which sometimes tear people away from social media, and look at the positives and how we can adjust.
One main point of Sarah’s podcast that stood out to me is the feeling of dissatisfaction that some get from social media. Many people in todays society feel as if they always have to be involved with media 24/7, creating a fear in ones mind of not being “in” with what’s trending today. I find this very important as those tend to focus on that aspect, rather than looking at the positives that social media truly brings. There is a way to be involved and use media to its advantage as we all know, for it has changed the way in which we function from day to day.
In the Ad & P.R. world, some of the main tips that Sarah shared can relate to the way in which big businesses display themselves on social media as well. She talked about the presence that we as people have on social media and how to control it without being overwhelmed or feeling left out. Businesses in todays society want to make sure that their product is being displayed efficiently and that they are still maintaining this presence. Without a doubt, I have seen many media sites that display or brand themselves with much effort trying to get across to their viewers. Although this is a positive aspect to help a create and promote themselves, it tends to be quite overwhelming to some viewers who don’t care to see as much as they do from a companies social media account.
Sarah discusses the way in which as individuals can cleanse themselves by getting rid of some of this in ones life. Although the Ad & P.R. world relies on those who browse social media and catch the viewers attention, it is up to you as viewer to decide what you want to see in your media feed. You are in control of what you see on a day to day basis, and this is powerful because if you find something that is not in YOUR interest, then why even have it? I personally find it super important to manage what you do and do not want displayed to you, as sometimes this can affect the way in which you feel personally.
Although social media in todays society has been a major advancement for us as humans in the 21st century, it is up to you how you want to use it. I thought Sarah’s podcast was very interesting and definitely will use some of her tips in my future endeavors throughout the social media world. I would find it quite interesting to listen to another podcast by her that dives even deeper into social media’s impact and how accounts influence or sway our thoughts as viewers.
Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/social-media/id1118822483?i=1000377909649&mt=2
Sam's Blog Spot 