New Media Is The “Old” Social Media
Posted on September 5, 2013
You might have come across the term “new media” recently? As of late I’ve been seeing it more frequently and it got me thinking – what exactly is new media? The more I thought about it, the more new media seemed like the “old” social media but with a more polished title – kind of like the other side of the same social media coin.
Whether we like it or not social media has pretty negative connotations amongst most of the top brass in big companies. A study shared on Mashable showed that 70% of Fortune 500 CEOs don’t use social media and from that we can derive that they aren’t particular fans of social media. So, can they be converted? Perhaps a bit of a rebrand to make it more palatable? I think so.
New Media Is The “Old” Social Media
I think the new media train is being propelled primarily by social media marketers themselves, and, for the very same reason – to change the connotations of social media. All too often clients expect the costs associated with social media management or consulting to be very low as social media has the perception of being “free”. Indeed, it is free to create an account for social media but once some social media man hours are required that’s when social media starts to cost for a business.
If social media is rebranded to new media – which, according to WikiPedia also takes in all forms of digital media like DVDs, video games etc, then it will become a lot easier for clients to understand the costs involved because new media will always be associated with a cost.
“more professional than social media, borderline revolutionary”
Also, sometimes social media is viewed in a negative way with some people thinking it is just a “waste of time” and an informal or unproductive use of time. New media won’t have those opinions held about it.
The very term new media itself sounds somewhat cutting edge, it’s much sharper and more professional than social media, borderline revolutionary yet, it’s still just the same “old” social media. Or, at least that’s my take on it anyway – and I’ll happily accept the moniker of “new media marketer”!
What are your thoughts on it? Leave a comment below with them and please, feel free to share this post help spread the new media revolution!
Jamie Lynn Morgan
September 9, 2013 (4:58 am)
Great insights and agree that “new” is really the same “old”. What I think marketers, community managers, and social media professionals need to stop worrying about catch phrases or ways to “trick” people into something. The proof is always in results. If you can show potential clients proof that you can do what you say, there is no need for flash and glitz or wordsmithery. Money talks. make more of that for a client, and they won’t have a problem paying you for your services.
Robert Ryan
September 9, 2013 (12:32 pm)
Hi Jamie Lynn, thanks for the comment.. I, think you’re right too..At the end of the day, it’s all about brass tax and the bottom line really – if social media/ new media can deliver an ROI then the investment will continue..Cheers, Rob