By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know there are an estimated 3.75 billion people on social media? Did you also know that the average time spent per person on social media is 142 minutes per day?
As a result of so many people from around the world, spending so much time on social media, you may be asking what are the benefits? Some might suggest that making new friends could be a benefit. This may be true, but only to a certain degree. Being a friend with someone generally means eye to eye contact, and or personal communication. Often, so-called “friends” on social media tend to be those whom you only share a common interest such as a political ideology, perhaps a hobby, and or religious affiliation. Most often, these types of friendships are very limited and you may go months, years, or what is more likely, never actually meet that “friend” in person.
Another benefit is what some refer to as “networking.” In today’s day of social media, and with so many Americans and Floridians on social media, someone seeking a political office can raise financial support and get their political message out relatively inexpensively on social media. Since most popular social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others are free of cost to their users, networking is much easier no matter what concern, cause or agenda you may have.
If you have ever wanted to start your own business and were frightened of the start-up costs in regards to market research and advertising, social media advertising is much cheaper than advertising on other types of media such as radio and or television ads. If you do in fact wish to begin your own business, you can not only take advantage of the cheaper rates on social media to sell your products, you can also use social media to ask your social media friends what they think of your proposed products.
Despite what you may have heard or experienced on social media, there are great benefits if you use your social media accounts wisely.