Hey readers, welcome back for my final blog post for CSIT 155 - Social Media for Business. Wow, time has flown and so much information has been embedded in my brain! In this post I'll try to synthesize the highlights of what I've learned in this class and let you know how my impressions have changed.
With everyone I meet, every class I take, and every experience, I change. I thrive on new knowledge and discoveries, and hold no loyalty to the person I used to be, because I'm always growing. My thoughts have changed in regard to social media - I used to see it as an unnecessary evil, and now I see it as a necessity for businesses. It is the way the world is moving, and businesses that don't adapt will die out, just as brick-and-mortar department stores and everyone getting the 4 national holidays off are becoming a thing of the past.
This class has really opened my eyes and my mind to understanding how social media is best used for business. There was a lot that I didn't know before that I do now. I really enjoyed thinking about how to do email marketing campaigns without being annoying, and I think I found a sweet-spot for technology businesses. Learning how to use Facebook Analytics, how to make a FB business account, how to link it to Instagram, how to use the analytics to roll out the same posts to both connected FB and Instagram social media accounts, are the ones that stood out the most. I had never used Instagram before, and I enjoyed investigating how different tech companies use it, and how the ones who did it successfully managed to keep people engaged. It turns out that I like Instagram quite a bit, although I still don't want any social media for personal use.
I also liked making a fake business to post for - that was fun and kept me engaged. In the past I have worked as a director for a few businesses, often side-by-side with the owners; that experience helped me understand what a business' needs are and why social media upkeep is so important. With an unlimited budget, I would definitely invest in hiring a social media department full of passionate social media-ers. With a robust budget, I would invest in a social media management service, and possibly even without a robust budget, I might do it to not have to manage it myself. However, if money was tight (and it usually is for the first year or two) I now know how to roll out my own social media plan of action. Which is very cool! Also, I really loved writing for this class - which is not the case for any other class I've taken, past or present. It was a great experience!
As a final extension of my goodwill for you, I would implore you all to protect your personal information and identity from social media that are not based in the U.S. or E.U. At least you have rights in the U.S., and at least your privacy is protected in the E.U. Tik Tok is very fun, but their data centers are in a country where privacy is not a right, or even an option. It is not a safe place for your information, preferences, lifestyles, politics, families, images, or identity. Just saying, I used to live and work there. If you love the app, create a junk email address for it and a pseudonym, always connect via a VPN, put it on a device that does not have your email apps or apps that have your financial information/payment card info, and link nothing back to your real self. Okay, stepping off the soap box and trying not to trip on the way down.
Although I won't be making my fake business a reality (not to say I won't sell the idea to people who have the financial backing to enact and protect it), I am working toward a career in cybersecurity. If any of you ever want my free opinion (a consult) on ways to shore up your security, you can to reach out to me on Canvas using the inbox (image above.) Even if it's for your business, I'm happy to help.
Readers, it has been an honor. Thank you for your visits, I hope every post has been a good read. Take care of yourself and others, and have a wonderful summer!
P.S.
Professor Faulk, thank you for your constant feedback. It made me feel seen - I work hard to present meaningful work to my professors - so I appreciate your time and effort even though you've had a lot going on personally. As soon as I can, I will gather some friends and drop by at Aztec Brewing Company (I posted an invite on the ClubIT discord server.)
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