Is Social Media a Fad?

We’ve all heard the grumblers and complainers, “I just don’t get this social media thing – it’s just a fad!,” or “Twitter and Facebook are just a waste of time!”

And truthfully, for those who don’t know how to “do” social media, it is a waste of time. But for those who want to be a part of and participate in the global conversation going on right now, it’s a HUGE opportunity to connect, engage and attract. Social media isn’t a fad, it’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate with each other.

Just take a look at the newest statistics:

• Adults spend 15+ hours on the internet each week
• Social media has overtaken pornography as the #1 activity on the web
• Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.
• Three new Twitter accounts are activated every second
• YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world
• If Facebook were a country, it would be the world’s third largest, behind China and India
• There are over 200,000,000 blogs
• 34% of bloggers post opinions about products and brands

Do you know what people are saying about YOUR brand? If not, you better start listening. Check out this excellent, eye-opening video from Erik Qualman, the author of the new book, Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business.