The definition of social media and its relationship with web 2.0 has been explained before and will not be discussed here. Recently, important opportunities and risks have been mentioned here. Time for an attempt to create a more complete overview of the opportunities and threats based on the strengths and weaknesses of social media. Time for a SWOT with a twist. Not drawn up from a specific organization, but one that assumes the strengths and weaknesses of social media itself and addresses the opportunities and threats that social media can bring with it. Companies, governments, communities and even individuals can then base a specific strategy on this: how can you utilize those strengths, eliminate weaknesses, seize opportunities and cover threats?
This first part will discuss 8 strengths of social media, which you can see in relation to the weaknesses, opportunities and threats that will be discussed in 3 upcoming articles. A confrontation matrix will be omitted in these shortened articles.
Strengths
1. Anytime & Anywhere
Due to the intrinsic nature of the internet, social media can potentially be used anywhere in the world and at any time (24/7). Social media are independent of place and time. This potential is increasingly becoming true, because the internet is becoming more and more ubiquitous .
2. Low threshold
Social media (and internet use in general) to a certain extent increasingly lower demands on digital skills panama phone number list knowledge level (including media literacy) and prosperity. The improved user-friendliness and low costs make social media easily accessible and widely accessible.
3. Fast
The speed of receiving increases with the adoption of broadband and mobile internet. Now you can use information and communication applications anywhere and at any time. Where previously asynchronous communication such as e-mail and newsgroups dominated, social media facilitate many forms of instantaneous (real time) communication. Not only through faster internet connections, but also because people communicate in 'the cloud'. Instead of between 2 parties, lightning-fast data and information exchange can take place between large groups.
4. Direct
Social media allows individuals to be reached in a very targeted and large-scale manner. This is unique to the medium, something that is almost impossible or far too expensive with traditional media. Social media flatten the world in one go (as described in ' The World is flat ' or ' Easycratie '), which makes hierarchical and direct communication possible. Everyone can get in touch with each other. Social media facilitate finding people and communicating directly with whomever you want.