The Social Media Shift

                                                                             

Over the past years, it is evident that social media has evolved and become more widely used by many individuals. According to Yellow Social Media Report 2018, the main reasons for consumption of social media is to stay connected with family and friends, sharing content and staying updated with the latest news. Social media apps have become more advanced, enabling users to do things easier and more efficiently, such as when it comes to communicating, sharing and shopping online. As I know for myself and many, our lives have become more revolved around social media. I think that social media is vastly influential and can create such a significant impact on us as we are constantly on our devices consuming so much information and content, which can sometimes be positive and negative. 

So how has social media changed?

iConsumer: Digital Consumers Altering the Value Chain details on six significant consumer trends including device shift, communication shift, content shift, social shift, video shift and retail shift. 

  Duncan, E, Hazan, E & Roche K, 2013, 'iConsumer: Digital Consumers Altering the Value Chain'

                                                     

Consumers are now using mobile or touch screen devices more compared to computers. There has also been a shift from voice to data and video when it comes to communication and as for content, there are now more apps with specific specialisations rather than having various functions within one singular app. In addition, businesses are able to monetise their content produced on social platforms and gain profit, which has become more focused on rather than gaining growth. There has also been a shift in device video options, as user-driven content or influencer marketing is becoming more popular compared to traditional forms of advertising and media (Duncan, E, Hazan, E & Roche K, 2013). Lastly, there has also been a significant retail shift over the past years as consumers like me are able to shop not only in-store but online, as it is easy and efficient, especially when it comes to comparing prices, products between various brands, reading reviews, ratings and whatnot.

This ultimately comes to show how much social media has changed as now, things are more accessible than ever because it can easily be found using the internet! It has enabled us to do things easier, effectively and efficiently, particularly when it comes to communicating, sharing, staying connected and even shopping online. 

So lets hear from you, what are your thoughts on the shift of social media?

REFERENCES 

Duncan, E, Hazan, E & Roche K, 2013, 'iConsumer: Digital Consumers Altering the Value Chain', McKinsey & Company, Technology, Media & Telecommunications.