Facebook: Proof that Relationships Have Changed

Facebook: Proof that Relationships Have Changed

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Many people reading the above cartoon will say, “Ain’t this the truth?”, but they are missing the social ramifications Facebook is bringing to society.

At 1,000 “friends” a person who is involved in Facebook is engaging in personal branding, whether they realize it or not. With a network of 1,000 a Facebook profile reaches a tipping point. Statistically, about 20% will open a link or read communication, because they have prior experience at receiving something valuable from that person.

The ability to have conversations with people who self-select as being interested in you and your ideas is a powerful advantage in life, both personally and professionally.

More people would benefit from Facebook if they could confront the fact that social connectivity is changing. I realize many are uncomfortable with this idea for personal and philosophical reasons. Cartoons like the above reflect a deep-seated cultural opposition to this trend. 

But regardless of mainstream social conventions, changes in society continue the same way they do every decade. The survivors — those who will be relevant, meaningful, compelling and engaged — will discover new opportunities,   identify and respond to new trends and ultimately enjoy a more enriching experience of lifelong learning than those who do not participate.

About the Author : Laura Kinoshita @lkinoshitaI am a long-time student of media, journalism and communication and enjoy talking about what works and why. Each day I wake up and to read news that is increasingly coming from the Web and Twitter because I can customize those tools for my own, unique interests. It's fascinating that more than 70% of all the information I read is put forth by people trying to influence opinion. I like to watch a newstream at the source, then watch it twist and turn and trickle over various news intermediaries, landing on the shores of public opinion. I like to talk about what I think works, and what doesn't so that more people can form original opinions, based on experience, rather than become part of the "echo chamber" that is repeating or retweeging key messages put forth by others. While I think "key messages" are an important branding tool, I expect people to use their own minds, reason and experience to add context and interpretation to those messages. That is ultimately what I am trying to do here ... to add some unique insights and shared experiences to collectively form better, more informed opinions.View all posts by Laura Kinoshita @lkinoshita →

  1. damon tucker
    damon tucker07-11-2009

    I just recently reached 1000 “Followers”.

    The term “Follower” is something I don’t like but deal w/ it on the twitter level. It sounds so Cultish to me… “I have this # followers”

    Doubt less then 300 of my Followers read anything I twit.

    I hope that the 50-100 or so folks that I’m close to do read what I twit.

    I need to make money online… what am I doing wrong? LOL

    • Laura Kinoshita
      Laura Kinoshita07-13-2009

      If you’re getting 300 Twitter followers to read/open something you’ve tweeted, that’s really good! Most people with 1,000 followers could say that only about 150 people read/open what they’re saying.

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