As a testament to the connected generation’s determination to upload and share content at any time from anywhere,
e-Marketer has this
article outlining the growth of mobile phones as a source for content creation in the US / UK.
Blogging, video and photo posting, uploading songs or other content to social networking sites has hit 4% of those who have mobile phones in the UK and 6% in the US. MySpace is clearly the top site which uploads are targeted for, but other sites such as Bebo (a social networking site for younger kids), Facebook, YouTube, and Windows Live spaces are showing consistent hits with this 15 - 24 year old demographic.
Companies are taking notice of this. MySpace US has simplified its uploading capabilities from mobile phones, Blogger allows easy uploading through mobile phones and many of the new mobile phones being released have increased video / audio / text capabilities built right in.
Social networking is big business. eMarketer points out that nearly $1 billion will be spent on online advertising in social networks this year. So making it easier to get people to these sites and developing devices which allow you to see and upload what you want easier must be paying off.
What does this mean for coaches and leaders? I read these advancements like this. Conversational spaces and approaches are changing rapidly. You can’t talk to someone unless you respect their space. If younger generations are choosing a space that you aren’t comfortable with, YOU have to change, not them. They are masterful at this technology and to converse you’ll have to meet them halfway.
This generation is using sites where they know adults/parents don’t want to tread. They’re using mobile phones because they have an opportunity to express themselves to their friends where ever they are - from their rooms, their hangouts, and their trips. You can stay silent, or you can get connected. If you want to stay in business, attracting the customers of the future, I say - GET CONNECTED!
Take the first step by getting familiar with social networking sites, posting a profile and inviting a few of your friends to join you. Reach out to others on the network that have similar interests. Ask your phone service carrier about what your package currently offers as far as uploads. You may be paying for a service already and not know it. Ask a neighbor kid, your children, or your front-line employees to mentor you on how to post information to a MySpace account so that you can get news out to them faster and more effectively for THEM, not you.
You’ll respect their conversational space and gain respect as a leader by GETTING CONNECTED.
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