Social media is here to stay.
It isn’t going anywhere.
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube—these are some major social media players, today.
You see, while we talk about how to get the most out of Facebook, Google+ and the likes, these strategies and overall future of social media is pouring through our fingers like grains of sand.
These social media channels are here today—and while important—will be gone tomorrow.
The Social Media ‘Bubble’
I can say with full confidence that one of ChurchMag’s biggest traffic getting is when we leverage Facebook. When something hitches onto Facebook well, it takes off like a rocket, cashing in thousands (sometimes hundreds of thousands) of pageviews on one blog post.
I am confident that investing your time into Facebook (and others) isn’t a complete waste, but it is very shortsighted.
Some believe the social media ‘bubble’ will burst—and it will—but not like a passing fad. Social media will, and is, evolving into other things for other generations. Just like movies, television programs and books have been traditionally targeted specific audiences, so will social media.
We are already seeing that play out.
A Teenager’s View on Social Media
In a recent Medium post (a must read), Andrew Watts—an actual teenager—gives his teenager view on social media.
He breaks down:
- Snapchat
- Tumblr
- Yik Yak
- Medium
- LinkedIn, Pinterest, Kik, WhatsApp and GroupMe
We can see that the up and coming generation don’t give places like Facebook the kind of activity or attention that will sustain it, as their (current) most active base eventually dies off.
And I imagine the cycle will continue from generation to generation.
Social Media & the Church
Like everything else, old things pass away.
It’s important that the Church fosters things that last. Social media—no matter the channel—should only be viewed as a vehicle to convey a greater story, and not an isolated means to an end.
We should also be sure to nurture concepts that run across all platforms of media—like great storytelling and creativity. It is these kind of principles that will serve the Church well in the long-run.
‘How to be seen on Facebook’ and other kinds of ideas may be worth some effort in a means to spread the word about a great story or something amazing that’s been created, but it should never be our primary focus.
Do you have a healthy perspective of social media?
[A little boy and his phone via Monkey Mash Button via Compfight cc]
Darrel Girardier says
The post on Medium that you linked to was fantastic. I had hunch on what he would write, however there were some great insights. Thanks for sharing!
Eric Dye says
Yes! A most excellent read. Thank you, Darrel. 🙂
Michael says
I am one of those folks that is making a living off digital media and social media plays a huge part, so I am in no hurry for it to pass away.
Eric Dye says
I don’t think many people are in a hurry for it to pass away, nor do I think it will pass overnight. In fact, I think it will evolve into something new, like most media technologies.