Think You Know What Social Media Is? Think Again

Think You Know What Social Media

Is?Think Again.

Images from a Road Trip…

Copyright © 2012, Courtney Shelton Hunt, PhD - all rights reserved2

Introduction

Using images from a road trip, this photo essay demonstrates that social media is about more than digital technology

Specifically, it reveals that– The channels through which the principles of social media manifest

themselves can be low tech as well high tech

– Their use and value are determined by our individual and organizational objectives

The goals of the essay are to– Demystify social media

– Get people to think more broadly about it and its economic and social roles

Providing a different perspective on digital manifestations of social media should help everyone from rookies and detractors to mavens and advocates understand that today’s social media isn’t just novel – it’s normal


Contrary to Popular Opinion…

Just about social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube

Something that can or should have different definitions depending the different perspectives and interpretations of individuals

Social media is NOT Only a new means for commercial organizations to

market, brand, advertise, or sell themselves and their goods/services


Most Importantly, It’s NOT NEW!

Pt 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_revere_ride.gif

http://www.sminorgs.net/2010/03/social-media-primer-part-1-what-is-this-fire-of-which-you-speak.html


Social Media Stripped to Its Core…

Are relatively inexpensive and accessible, enabling anyone (even private individuals) to publish or access information

Adapted from Wikipedia

Includes technologies that can turn communication into interactive dialogue among organizations, communities, and individuals

Involves a blending of technology and social interaction for the co-creation of value

http://www.wikipedia.org/social_media


New Tools for Doing Old Things What we think of as social media today is

better labeled digital social media Digital social media is distinguished by the

technology used for both publication and dissemination, which in turn leads to differences in– Scale and reach– Viral potential

We shouldn’t confuse the technology with what the technology enables us to do – the medium is NOT the message


How Social Media is Used

Individuals use it to– Express personality and humor

– Communicate values and beliefs

– Identify themselves to kindred spirits

– Share joys and sorrows

– Invite questions and conversation

Organizations use it to– Control their own messages

– Advertise goods, services, and events

– Communicate values and differentiate themselves

– Communicate more inexpensively and informally

– Invite feedback, participation and engagement from individuals


The “Media” in Social Media Can Include…

The human body Personal and

commercial vehicles Buildings and other

structures Bulletin boards,

billboards and signs

The images that follow

were mostly taken duringa road trip in

theWestern US

in the summer of

2011


THE HUMAN BODY


Tattoos


Western Wear


T-Shirts from the Spam Museum


Badges: Bikers and Fire Fighters


PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES


Personal Vehicles - Stickers


John Wayne Van, Iowa


Commercial Vehicles


Makeshift Memorial in Iowa


BUILDINGS ANDOTHER STRUCTURES


Building Ads, Old and New


Mural in Sturgis, South Dakota


PSA, Convenience Store, Wyoming


A House in Crawford, Nebraska


Art Center in Winterset, Iowa


Painted Silos in Omaha, Nebraska


Windmills: Private and Public


Graffiti: Roseman Bridge, Iowa


Vintage Graffiti (Replica of Independence Rock, Nebraska)


Carhenge Time Capsule: Alliance, Nebraska


BULLETIN BOARDS,BILLBOARDS AND SIGNS


Antique Bulletin Board: Deadwood, South Dakota


Modern Low-Tech Bulletin Boards


Multi-Media Billboard


Wall Drug Billboard, South Dakota


Billboard/Postcard


Community Invitation, VFW Club


DIY Roadside Signs


Town Welcome Signs


Church Welcome Sign


Banner in Galena, Iowa


Roadside Announcement


Roadside Enticements


Road Signs in Nebraska and Iowa


Remembering Veterans in Hemingford, Nebraska


Another Way to Memorialize Vets

Plus a bonus sign

ABOUT THE DENOVATI GROUP

http://denovati.com/denovati-digital-network

The Denovati…Pronunciation guide: day-no-VAH-teeDeconstructing the term:

– DE = Digital Era– NOV = short for novani, the Latin term for colonists,

immigrants, new residents…– ATI = those who seek knowledge and/or are in the know

Copyright © 2013, Courtney Shelton Hunt - all rights reserved47

The Denovati areDigital Era explorers, pathfinders and pioneers

who seek to understand and effectively leverage social and digital technologies

The Denovati Group


Click here to learn more about who we are, what we do, and what we offer

http://denovati.com/about-the-denovati/

http://denovati.com/about-the-denovati/

Denovati Digital Network

Click here to learn more and join us on one or more platforms





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Think You Know What Social Media Is? Think Again