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Social Media Principle 8 – The Behaviour is “Social”

Guest post by: jon leuty

Article Overview: When it comes to Social Media just remember that technology changes but people stay the same. The behaviour's social. The out-take is esteem"

Social Media Principle 8 – The Behaviour is “Social”

When it comes to Social Media just remember that technology changes but people stay the same. The behaviour's social. The out-take is esteem" When the Wikipedia entry for Social Media contains in its opening paragraph the phrase," social media are relatively inexpensive and accessible tools that enable anyone (even private individuals) to publish or access information", you know that we've got a problem on our hands. So much time, energy and attention seem to have been spent talking about Social Media technologies that many have missed the point: without people none of that means anything.

Maybe a little more time thinking about the fundamentals of human needs and behaviour and a little less time trying to second guess the new Twitter the more interesting the end results will be?

By nature human beings are relational creature. We need each other, we define ourselves through our relationships with others. In 1934 Abraham Maslow codified his research on the essential human needs, he argued that there are 5: Physiological (breathing, sleep, food, sex etc), Safety (personal, financial, health), Social (friendship, intimacy, family), Esteem (self-esteem, self-respect, belonging) and Self-Actualization.

What is the behaviour demonstrated on Social Media platforms such as blogs, Flickr, YouTube and Flickr but "Social" and "Esteem". "Social" in as much as digital technology allows connections and enables liked-minded to come together, whether it's a passion for gaming (of which Prof Monica Whitty has written extensively about the romances that real-world relationships that blossomed in the virtual world), or more disturbing passions such as Armin Meiwes's who found a "well-built 18 to 30-year-old to be slaughtered and then consumed" through the website TheCannibalCafe.com - Social Media is merely the platform for connecting and sharing.

Social Media also fulfils on the need for Esteem, it delivers on the normal human desire to be accepted and valued by others. It is through the comments and links of others that individuals online gain authority and influence in the social space and thereby increase their own levels of esteem. The behaviour is social. The out-take is esteem. The fundamentals of human nature remain constant.

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Article Tags: Facebook, Flick, Social Media, Twitter, Wikipedia, YouTube
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Re: Kevin needs "social glue" ideas - Hi, I like the idea of "10 items that could act as "social glue" because I am an internet marketer. But I agree with the rest that the 10 recent post is nice. Maybe we should open up a new section in the forums on Social Media...or Social Media Marketing. I will tell you that the world is about 1 1/2 behind when it comes to understanding social media. Building a section now will put EvanCarmichael.com is a great position a year down the road when people realize Social Media can produce more traffic than SEO. Jeff
Re: Marketing 2.0 - What Are Your Thoughts - Hi Shri, Thanks for posting this. I also read it and I believe Social Media is here to stay, until the next best thing comes up. Social media proved to be useful for me many times and I think everyone should use it for their business.
Re: Kevin needs "social glue" ideas - [quote="WebBizIdeas.com":gvtxsu7g]Hi, I like the idea of "10 items that could act as "social glue" because I am an internet marketer. But I agree with the rest that the 10 recent post is nice. Maybe we should open up a new section in the forums on Social Media...or Social Media Marketing. I will tell you that the world is about 1 1/2 behind when it comes to understanding social media. Building a section now will put EvanCarmichael.com is a great position a year down the road when people realize Social Media can produce more traffic than SEO. Jeff[/quote:gvtxsu7g] Hi Jeff, Thanks for the suggestion. Why don't you start a new post (with a poll) to see if there's enough interest in your idea for a social media section?
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! - GT - thanks for the FYI - I'm not sure if we'll put a link back. Something to consider though! Trent - the new category is "Social Network and Media" which was put in to compliment the Online Businesses category that currently exists. Overall the new categories are: - Looking For, Networking and Events - Review My... - Social Network and Media - Brags and Rants These came as a result of Ringo doing research on other forums and thinking about what could be improved on ours to give a better experience for everyone. I hope you enjoy them! David, I'm looking forward to reading your Brag / Rant!
Re: Social Media Marketing Ignorance - [quote="vbn411":7qciluxl]Social Media is space that you have to be in to succeed in our current climate. People are going to be discussing your brand / product whether you like it or not, so you might as well join the conversation and add value. [/quote:7qciluxl] I think that's probably one of the most realistic way to think about it. There's no real textbook way of understanding Social Media, it's the networks of people and their interactions that will exist with or without your input. As for Jennifer, You can always have 2 Facebook pages. Many people do. There is also LinkedIn, which is like a professional networking version of Facebook. The only way to know is to try it.


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