Last week, I had the pleasure of being a speaker at the Benefits Communications Conference of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Funds. During the closing session, one of the attendees asked me which social networks I thought were going to survive into the future. The dialogue went something like this:
Me (Joanna): I can’t predict the future, but I think Facebook and YouTube will stick around for a while. Not sure about the smaller networks, especially those without solid revenue models.
Participant: But I’ve heard that the younger audiences are leaving Facebook now that their parents are signing up.
Me: Yes, I’ve read that as well, but Facebook has really tipped in terms of popularity, all the research shows that the older audiences don’t leave a social network once their friends have joined and they’ve made a commitment to the site, and Facebook as a platform for all kinds of third-party applications is really compelling.
But then I got to thinking. Does it really matter if Facebook survives? Does it really matter which of the social networks survives?
If you’re hesitating about investing in a social media strategy because you’re wondering which of the platforms will survive, I think you’re worried about the wrong issue. Here’s why:
- Social media isn’t just a fad. Social networks have fundamentally changed how we communicate, connect and market. Social networks have “tipped;” there is now a critical mass of people on social networks. You can’t ignore the numbers.
- In the end, it doesn’t matter which social network survives because there are now so many mainstream and niche social networks, it’s almost pointless to worry about which ones will make it. Remember when we thought no other search engine could threaten Yahoo!’s primacy?
- Your social media strategy probably needs to include having a presence on multiple networks, depending on where your target audiences are AND to ensure good coverage and reach for your marketing messages.
Here’s what I think IS important:
- Your organization needs to develop a core competency in using social networks to reach your current and new audiences.
- Your organization must be nimble enough to sniff out opportunities represented by upcoming sites and networks.
- Your usage reports should tell you which sites and networks are up and coming and worth investing in.
- Your communication team needs to be quick to understand the capabilities of new social networks and adapt your message and strategy to each site.
Once and when you DO develop this core competency, it won’t matter IF Facebook will survive. The question will become: What’s next?
What do you think? How is your organization developing competency in using social media to meet your goals? What up and coming social media sites are you exploring?
8 replies on “Will Facebook Survive? And Does It Really Matter?”
We’re new to Social Media so we’re exploring all platforms at the moment.
Headline may as well read “The end is nigh.” I just decided today that everything online (including my email) should have a “Like” button.
I’m still undecided about “Dislike” button. Not that I’d need that here 😉
ARE younger audiences really leaving Facebook? I have one kid just entering high school, another a senior in high school, and a third in college, and I’ve observed that they and all their friends still seem very much addicted to Facebook! I find the cross-generational appeal pretty fascinating.
Spot on as always JMP !
It is not about the technology or the latest cool thing (think about Friendster and for us old folks “point cast” and Netscape)… it is always about how people are changing and how people are communicating.
Tech, smeck.
Shaun Dakin
CEO and Founder
StopPoliticalCalls.org
@EndTheRoboCalls, @ShaunDakin, @IsCool
Winner @Mashable Open Web Award for Non Profits
Thanks for all the great comments.
Jon, I first started reading about teens, parents and Facebook in this hilarious article in TIME.com: Oh crap! My parents joined Facebook:
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1909187,00.html
Since then, there have been articles about whether or not teens are abanding Facebook. I think that the vast majority of teens still prefer Facebook, but a segment has definitely left in search of new social media experiences. Here’s an interesting article from ROIworld:
http://www.bizreport.com/2010/07/roiworld-teens-losing-interest-in-facebook.html
Joanna
Hi Joanna – Thanks for featuring this discussion. So many social networks and platforms will change. Twitter now is a different tool (similar certainly but different) than it was in 2006…same holds true to Facebook. Yet no matter how they or their users continue to change, the relational ability of Web 2.0 will only strengthen, as you mentioned. To Shaun’s great point, it’s about using platforms as they evolve to locate, connect, and engage people — ideally forging lasting communities in the process.
First, and as of yet only, mature view on FB and social networking. Like previous posters stated, spot on.
The problem with other takes on social networking is “oooh, aaaah!” I think FB is screwed because of the whole privacy thing, which will be ever more known once the movie is out this fall.
Well besides agreeing with you, my two cents is this. FB= the whole 15 minutes of fame concept from over 20 yrs ago, finally true. First company with the iteration of social networking that can seamlessly embed ads, privacy, and helpfulness, aka all droid apps in one + FB shall be the “winner”.
Excellent journalism, new fan. Thank you!!
First, and as of yet only, mature view on FB and social networking. Like previous posters stated, spot on. The problem with other takes on social networking is “oooh, aaaah!” I think FB is screwed because of the whole privacy thing, which will be ever more known once the movie is out this fall. Well besides agreeing with you, my two cents is this. FB= the whole 15 minutes of fame concept from over 20 yrs ago, finally true. First company with the iteration of social networking that can seamlessly embed ads, privacy, and helpfulness, aka all droid apps in one + FB shall be the “winner”. Excellent journalism, new fan. Thank you!!