Social Media is formed of wide-ranging, global online communication networks in the shape of multiple channels on both computer and mobile programs, from niche forums, to microblogging, and content curation in the form of text, video and images.
The first social media network, Six Degrees, which was founded in 1997 allowed users to upload a profile and make friends with other users. Since then, the world of social media has exploded, introducing over 3.19 billion of active users to a variety of platforms to connect with friends and family, post and share content, discuss world news, and discover information, hobbies and trends.
Social media typically relies on user-generated content as its bedrock, but can also be used by brands and companies to represent themselves and connect with their customers through organic and paid means.
The role of social media has permeated vast numbers of cultures to the point of being a go-to source for breaking news, announcing personal events, celebrating successes to discussing and debating topics online.
The business applications of Social Media in a company’s digital marketing strategy has shifted and adapted over the years, transforming as new platforms arise and fall, and as trends develop. The power of Social Media platforms for brands is to communicate to their desired audience, increasing brand exposure, develop long lasting relationships and ultimately building a much more direct communication channel.