The same goes for Twitter. Ever since joining, I've been teased and had eyes rolled at me by friends. (Don't even get me started on Foursquare.) I've explained to them numerous times how beneficial it is for someone in my industry to be on Twitter and that it can be used for professional networking. Then I'm asked, "Isn't that what LinkedIn is for?" Yes and no. Yes, LinkedIn is for professional networking, but it is completely different. I usually spare the questioner the details of the advantages and disadvantages of each network because my friends don't share my interest in social media.
Through this week's #u30pro chat, I found that the majority of other social media "geeks" feel the same way as me. They get social media and are made fun of by those who don't. I've noticed, however, that most of my fellow geeks are also in the communication or public relations industry (or are majoring in it in college), which makes me wonder...
Is social media really such a big deal? Of course it is for us (and for every company or brand trying to jump on the wagon), but have we gravitated towards being social media savvy because our industry requires it? Or is social media actually changing the way the world works, even for those not in our field?
If you Googled the average non-PR pro and nothing came up, they'd probably consider that a good thing. If you Googled one of us and nothing came up? Bad news.
As a young professional, I'm constantly reminded how important it is to have an online presence. We have to understand the value of connecting, whether online or offline, because it's a big part of our careers. But social media isn't changing the way everyone operates. We may think the non-Tweeters are missing out, but truth be told -- their worlds haven't stopped turning.
Do you think social media will eventually become a must for others outside the communication industry? Or will we continue to be the digital geeks?
*Image via stuffthathappens.com/blog
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