Social media is affecting everyone, yes everyone!

I’ve had a couple of conversation is recent weeks where people have claimed that social media has had absolutely no impact on their daily lives.  The majority of these people claim that because they don’t use social networks, visit YouTube or blog they are therefore immune to social’s effects.

Wrong!

I’d argue that engaging with social tools or platforms is irrelevant as the impact of those that do is far further reaching then what many social detractors believe.

I’ve pulled together a few examples of how social impacts a far greater audience than those that consume it online.  So, social is affecting;

Our culture.

LOLCatz, OMGWTFBBQ, Chuck Norris Facts, these are all memes that have made their way into the mainstream conscious, conversation or culture.  Even if you don’t recognize these ideas as memes you probably still recognize the content they produce.

The content we consume.

The third Sacha Baron Cohen movie, Bruno, was released on July 8th of 2009.  There was a ton of buzz around the movie, unfortunately it was terrible, those that wasted money seeing it on the opening weekend went crazy across social platforms and suddenly literally no one else went to see it!  From an US opening weekend of over $30m the movie closed with global box office revenue of under $60m, and with a $42m production budget plus marketing expense etc on top we can definitely call Bruno a flop.

What we believe.

Apparently Jeff Goldblum died on June 25^th 2009, or so mainstream media say.  Fact is he didn’t but due to a few false tweets that were picked up and shared, reshared and re-reshared everyone believed it was true including the largest broadcaster here in Australia!

The way we connect.

London, December 2010, hundreds of Santa’s descended on Trafalgar Square disrupting traffic and amazing passersby.  The Santa flash mob was organized on Facebook which enabled Santa fans to connect, talk and organize the Santa-thon.

The brands we buy.

77% of online shoppers seek out other consumer opinions and experiences before making a purchase.  Over a third will pass on their reasons for purchase to friends and family looking to make a similar decision.  Reasons that came from social media.

How we buy.

Social networks allow mobs of people looking for the same product or service to connect, then rock up to a retailer or supplier enmasse to activate bulk buying discounts.  FYI, apparently bulk discount at Apple applies from 100 units and up!

The brands we can buy.

Whipsa, a UK chocolate brand was discontinued by Cadbury in 2003 until passionate chocoholics took up the cause and protested until Cadbury reintroduced the choccie bar in 2008.  Now everyone benefits from Whispa’s airy goodness.  Yum!

Nuff said?