Mediaboss Marketing

The Gist

I was once all in on Twitter. A colleague told me about the service, and I created my account in December 2007. The service was a bit clunky in the early days. Users created ad-hoc conventions (e.g., at-mentions, retweets, hashtags, etc.) and it was neat when Twitter formalized these things as platform features.

My initial focus was on curating and sharing industry-related content, which helped augment my personal brand. Entire communities assembled around hashtags. There was #eventprofs for event professionals and #CMWorld for content marketers who were part of Content Marketing Institutes community.

It was magical to turn Twitter connections into IRL (in real world) friends. My wife worked at Twitter, and I got to visit Twitter HQ in San Francisco. My wife bought me a customized jacket from the Twitter Store. It had the Twitter logo and my Twitter username stitched onto it I still wear it.

Things have changed a lot in the past 12 months. Facebook pivoted to the metaverse, Twitter had an ownership change, and state governments in the United States started to ban TikTok.

Let that all sink in.

As an active user of social platforms, it all feels so different these days. So where are things headed?

Social media platforms arent going away, but I expect slower growth in new users and a plateau (or worse) in monthly active users. When Twitter was acquired last year, a number of my marketing friends deleted their accounts because they didnt agree with the views of the new owner.

Others kept their accounts, but log in much less frequently if at all. Still others moved their time and attention to competing services like Mastodon, Post and Bluesky. I kept my account active, havent signed up for competing platforms and still check Twitter daily. However, Im posting less frequently and the serendipity of meeting interesting new people has dried up.

When social networks see their user base decline, the network effect goes into reverse. More value is attained when users can follow and connect with lots of other users. In addition, advertisers, who are responsible for the majority of revenue to most social platforms, may go elsewhere if there are less users to market to.

Ian Bogost wrote a thought-provoking piece for The Atlantic (in 2022) titled The Age of Social Media Is Ending. Bogost begins the article:

Its over. Facebook is in decline, Twitter in chaos. Mark Zuckerbergs empire has lost hundreds of billions of dollars in value and laid off 11,000 people, with its ad business in peril and its metaverse fantasy in irons. Elon Musks takeover of Twitter has caused advertisers to pull spending and power users to shun the platform (or at least to tweet a lot about doing so). Its never felt more plausible that the age of social media might end and soon.

Bogost noted that the original mission of social networking was to form connections and that around 2009 (i.e., when the smartphone was introduced), social networking became social media in other words, sharing and publishing content.

Bogost ended his piece by encouraging the elimination of social media. To me, its a bit of an extreme take:

To win the soul of social life, we must learn to muzzle it again, across the globe, among billions of people. To speak less, to fewer people and less often and for them to do the same to you, and everyone else as well. We cannot make social media good, because it is fundamentally bad, deep in its very structure. All we can do is hope that it withers away, and play our small part in helping abandon it.

I dont want to see social media go away entirely. I still enjoy it, both in the opportunity to share content and the chance to consume content others share.

But heres the thing.

I think businesses should stay active and engaged on social media, but its time to pursue other channels to drive website visits, leads and opportunities.

Related Article:Twitter Blue: Is Twitter Verification Worth It for Marketers?

The newsfeeds of Facebook and Twitter were the ultimate all-you-can-eat meal: everyone from everywhere all at once, posting about every topic imaginable. It was convenient for users and convenient for advertisers. This all-in-one-place world is splintering, as people prefer a la carte dishes to a buffet.

Im seeing a lot of activity in:

A good portion of my free time has shifted here. Im in a Messenger chat with college friends, a group SMS with extended family, a group SMS with friends and a Slack community of content marketers. Most of these I check daily and in some, check and post multiple times a day.

These communities present a challenge to businesses, as most dont offer vehicles for advertising or sponsorship.

Related Article:How Social Media Marketing Has Changed This Year

The shift from monolithic social platforms to targeted communities provides businesses with a glimpse of the future. And thats to establish, foster and grow your own community around the mission of your business. Before discussing tactics and technologies for your community, answer these questions:

From here, I recommend a focus group approach where you plan small, intimate gatherings (e.g., coffee, cocktails or dinner) in particular cities. Assess things like attendance and engagement at each gathering. This approach lets you test the waters on the communitys viability without betting the house on it. It also lets you refine and adapt.

Learn how you can join our contributor community.

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Adapting to the Changing Social Media Landscape - CMSWire

In recent years, centralized social media platforms have faced growing criticism due to issues like restricted API access and censorship disputes. As a result, the need for decentralized alternatives has become apparent. DeSo, a decentralized social media system leveraging blockchain technology, is emerging as a potential solution. This article explores the rise of decentralized social media and its potential to revolutionize online communities.

See also: Which Countries Have The Internet Censorship?

Traditionally, users have relied on centralized social media platforms such as Reddit and Twitter for interaction, content sharing, and participation in discussions. However, recent incidents have shed light on the limitations and vulnerabilities of these platforms. Reddit faced backlash when it restricted API access, leading to subreddits going dark in protest. The discontinuation of third-party apps due to rising API costs further highlighted the drawbacks of depending on centralized systems. Similarly, Twitter faced criticism when reading restrictions were imposed on newly created and verified accounts, raising concerns about user control, censorship, and system manipulation. These examples underscore the need for a paradigm shift that empowers individuals and protects the integrity of online communities.

DeSo, a startup founded in 2019, utilizes blockchain technology to address the limitations of centralized social media networks. Unlike conventional platforms, DeSo keeps user identities, profiles, content, and social networks entirely on-chain. This decentralized approach grants users complete control over their interactions and content, preventing restrictions or censorship at the protocol level.

DeSo has recently announced a $1 million incentive to encourage the development of a Reddit alternative using its own blockchain. This initiative highlights the growing demand for user sovereignty and decentralized social media alternatives. Nader Al-Naji, the creator of DeSo, believes these demonstrations against centralized platforms reflect a broader societal shift towards individuals claiming ownership of their social media information, similar to the ownership of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

DeSo offers a range of monetization tools, including creator coins, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), tokens, and tipping. By leveraging blockchain technology, DeSo empowers content creators to directly monetize their work, bypassing traditional intermediaries and retaining a greater share of their revenue.

The decentralized structure of DeSo also ensures users have complete control over their content. With on-chain storage, DeSo guarantees that content remains accessible and cannot be subject to censorship or removal, in contrast to centralized platforms. Users can freely express themselves and engage in discussions within a more open and democratic setting.

Since its launch, DeSo has garnered significant interest and support from investors and the cryptocurrency community. The company raised $200 million in fundraising in September 2021, with prominent backers including A16z, Coinbase Ventures, Sequoia, Pantera Capital, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. This financing underscores the growing interest in decentralized social media solutions and reflects confidence in DeSos concept.

The DeSo community has already fostered over 150 projects, indicating the platforms expanding ecosystem. While the market capitalizations of these projects may currently be modest, their existence highlights a thriving and growing community of users and developers keen on exploring the potential of decentralized social media.

See also: Whats Next for Tech Censorship?

In addition to its social networking protocol, DeSo has introduced Openfund 2.0, a decentralized exchange platform. This in-app concept offers users a simple and secure way to exchange tokens within the DeSo ecosystem. By leveraging blockchain technology, Openfund 2.0 ensures transparency, immutability, and eliminates the need for intermediaries, enabling direct peer-to-peer transactions.

The introduction of this decentralized exchange platform enhances the user experience within the DeSo ecosystem, providing a comprehensive set of tools and services for both users and content providers.

As controversies surrounding centralized social media platforms continue to grow, the need for decentralized alternatives becomes increasingly evident. DeSos decentralized social media protocol offers a compelling solution that empowers users, allows for direct monetization, and prioritizes user control. By leveraging blockchain technology, DeSo provides transparency, immutability, and resistance to censorship, fostering a more democratic and user-centric online community.

Although DeSo is still in its early stages, its rapid expansion and backing from notable investors indicate a promising future. As more users and developers gravitate towards decentralized social media platforms, online communities are poised for a profound transformation. The development of decentralized social media has the potential to fundamentally change how we communicate, share information, and build communities online.

In conclusion, decentralized social media platforms like DeSo provide an effective alternative to centralized platforms by addressing their limitations and weaknesses. DeSo is at the forefront of the decentralized social media revolution, offering powerful features, content management tools, and monetization opportunities. The future of online communities appears to be decentralized and more focused on user sovereignty as individuals assert ownership over their social content.

First Reported on: CoinTelegraph

Q: What are the challenges of centralized social media platforms? A: Centralized social media platforms face issues such as restricted API access, censorship concerns, and limited user control over content. These limitations have raised the need for decentralized alternatives.

Q: What is DeSo? A: DeSo is a decentralized social media system that utilizes blockchain technology. It offers users complete control over their social media content and interactions, addressing the drawbacks of centralized platforms.

Q: How does DeSo differ from centralized social media platforms? A: DeSo keeps user identities, profiles, content, and social networks entirely on-chain, ensuring user control and preventing censorship or restrictions at the protocol level. In contrast, centralized platforms control and govern user data.

Q: How does DeSo empower content creators? A: DeSo provides various monetization tools, including creator coins, NFTs, tokens, and tipping. Content creators can directly monetize their work without relying on traditional intermediaries, enabling them to retain a larger share of their revenue.

Q: How does DeSo ensure content regulation and censorship resistance? A: DeSos decentralized structure and on-chain storage ensure that content remains accessible and cannot be censored or removed. Users have the freedom to express themselves and engage in open discussions without concerns of censorship.

Q: Why is the development of decentralized social media important? A: Decentralized social media platforms like DeSo provide users with ownership over their content, enable direct monetization, and foster a more democratic and user-centric online community. It offers transparency, immutability, and resistance to censorship.

Q: Who has invested in DeSo? A: DeSo has received significant backing from investors and the cryptocurrency community. Notable investors include A16z, Coinbase Ventures, Sequoia, Pantera Capital, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Q: What is Openfund 2.0? A: Openfund 2.0 is a decentralized exchange platform introduced by DeSo. It enables users to exchange tokens within the DeSo ecosystem in a secure and transparent manner, without the need for intermediaries.

Q: What is the future of decentralized social media? A: The rise of decentralized social media platforms like DeSo indicates a potential shift in how online communities engage and interact. Users and developers are embracing the concept of user sovereignty and exploring the possibilities of decentralized social media.

Q: How can decentralized social media impact online communities? A: Decentralized social media platforms offer greater user control, content ownership, and monetization opportunities. They foster a more open and democratic environment, allowing users to engage in discussions and share information without concerns of censorship or manipulation.

Aaron is a technology enthusiast and avid learner. With a passion for theorizing about the future and current trends, he writes on topics stretching from AI and SEO to robotics and IoT.

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Reddit News: One Million Dollar Bounty to Copy - ReadWrite

A court has ruled that a person who filmed a girl, blackmailed her, and shared her pictures on social media platforms is not responsible, due to lack of evidence.

In another case, a foreign woman was convicted after stealing from and threatening another woman for posting pictures of her on social media platforms. Due to evidence of blackmail and violation of the victim's privacy, the court decided to impose a five-year and four-month temporary sentence on her.

In another incident, a young woman in her twenties took legal action after someone hacked her social media account and published her private photos. The perpetrator sent the photos and recordings to her family and husband. Although she went to court, the court deemed the accused person not responsible.

Furthermore, an individual created an inappropriate account on a social networking site and published video clips that went against public decency. As a result, the court sentenced them to one and a half years of imprisonment.

Additionally, another person sought revenge on a family that refused to accept his proposal for their daughter. He tricked her into going to his house, undressed her, and took pictures of her, which he sent to her father. The court decided to imprison him for three months.

Read more:
Court rulings vary in cases of blackmail, privacy violation on social ... - Roya News English

Park Gyu-young is the latest Celebrity on the Netflix South Korean drama block. Starring in the titular role, the actress was supported by Lee Chung-ah, Kang Min-hyuk, Jun Hyoseong and others in this 12 episode-long journey that premiered on the streaming giant on June 30, 2023. The thriller K-dramas ensemble cast put on a show that depicts a cryptic lifestyle led by social media influencers, as the growing envy around them consumes them.

Written by Kim Yi-young and directed by Kim Cheol-kyu, the novel story puts Gyu-young at the centre of the discussion as she essays the role of Seo Ah-ri, a renowned celebrity and influencer on the internet, whose overnight success soon comes crumbling down as the glitzy world of fame reveals its ugly face.

The new age has produced a plethora of such stories, usually portraying the dark and harsh reality of social networking, internet and all things associated with it. As the new Netflix Korean drama gains more traction, we decided to look back at all those movies and shows about social media that brought on similar narratives to our attention.

Black Mirror

Too much of everything is a curse, and no other series comes close to showcasing the dystopian horrors of the never-ending advancements in cutting-edge technology. Built up using themes from various genres like psychological horror, crime fiction, sci-fi, and more, the anthology series is all about probing into how modern technologies could lead to a horrifying downfall of the contemporary world.

Adding on to its social commentary, the American Netflix series dishes on heavy subjects related to the tech world like data privacy, virtual reality, surveillance and more. It often addresses the consumerism associated with social networking sites and how it in turn pushes for superficiality and a drive for all things to be perfect in a race to possess the unattainable. The show is non linear, and its episodes need not be watched be chronologically, yet all of them interweave mind bending plot twists that are bound to make you question your existence.

Battle for Happiness (K-drama)

Based on screenwriter Joo Young-has own novel, Battle for Happiness is a K-drama streaming on Amazon Prime Video in selected regions and Viki. Starring Lee El, Jin Seo-yeon, Woo Jung-won, Cha Ye-ryun and Park Hyo-joo, this 2023 series shares quite a few similarities with Celebrity on Netflix. Yet again charting out a cut-throat competition between women with social media as their battlefield, the only significant difference between the two shows is that the Netflix K-drama is concerned with influencers, while this suspense thriller deals with several mothers whore out to bring down each others reputation on SNS.

Following these circumstances, a major death unfolds in this series as well, which only further raises the tension. Portraying the fickle and superficial glossy relationships shared between the women in question, the horrifying tragedy sheds light on the dark realities residing underneath the cover of Instagram photos and profiles.

Selfie

As opposed to the serious tone undertaken by most of the titles in this list, Selfie starring Karen Gillan and John Cho in pivotal roles is a 2014 sitcom. Inspired by the Greek myth of Pygmalion, the series drives a case for narcissism and how, ultimately, social media further feeds into that obsession with the self. The light-hearted series, though eventually transformed into a romantic comedy, chronicled the life of Eliza Dooley, a sales representative, whose mind has been taken over by the idea that she must gain success through social media, by posting her selfies everyday.

Once shes hit by the reality check that befriending people on SNS isnt nearly equivalent to making friends in real life, she turns to the marketing guru, her colleague, Henry Higgins to undergo a detox and spiritual makeover.

Love Alarm (K-drama)

So we all know about dating apps, but the Love Alarm app is a bit different. It rather intimates you when someone likes you. Social media and networking sites often masquerade the truth and present a false front, this particular app gives you no out and exposes your true feelings for the other person whether you like it or not.

However, the app doesnt necessarily guarantee you any safety or happiness which further opposes the general idea most of us carry with us that love is all we need to heal ourselves. Despite these supposed revelations, the application rather ends up jeopardising many friendships and life-long bonds. The 2019 Korean series is streaming on Netflix, and it stars Song Kang, Kim So-hyun and Jung Ga-ram in lead roles.

Also read: The Zone Survival Mission Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Kwang-soos Soul Wanders for His Shoes!

Live On (K-drama)

Streaming on Viki, with Jung Da-bin, Hwang Min-hyun and others leading this 2020 K-drama series (featuring a cameo by TXTs Yeonjun), it is set in a high school where Baek Ho-Rang, an attractive young student whos caught everyones eye is quite famous on social media. However, as countless stories have guided us never to judge a book by its cover, her personality isnt as attractive as her physical appearance, leading to a lack of friendships in her life.

An anonymous individual grudgingly obsesses over her condescending attitude, and starts blackmailing her. As a means to uncover her bullys identity, she joins the schools broadcasting club. With themes of school violence at its focus, the show presents a rather profound coming-of-age storyline.

Somebody (K-drama)

Speaking of dating apps, Netflixs Somebody introduces us to Kang Hae-lims Kim Sum, a developer for the eponymously titled social media application that helps strangers connect with each other. While the introverted developer mostly keeps to herself, her name is dragged into conversation when her app gets involved in a murder case. As the incident unfolds further, Kim Young-Kwangs Sung Yun-oh, aka an architectural designer steps into her life. Although suave, he is a bit too mysterious (and not the nice kind) and seems to be hiding his own share of secrets, but eventually becomes an anchor in Kim Sums life.

Diving headfirst into the fears associated with getting acquainted with strangers through such apps that also often become grounds for deceptive activities like catfishing, the series develops a crime thriller plot that chills your blood.

Followers (J-drama)

Much like Park Gyu-youngs recent K-drama premiere, Followers, a Japanese series on Netflix, leads with the theme of rising fame on social media as well. Mika Ninagawas first drama TV show is set in the heart of the bustling city Tokyo where a prominent fashion photographerLimi Nara has also made out the modern landscape of the city itself as her artistic muse. She has both fronts of her life personal and professional well balanced out. However, in sharp contrast to her life, Natsume Hyakuta is a young actress who still hasnt quite found stability.

Everything takes a drastic change when Limi shares a photo of Natsume on her Instagram, and she encounters a boom in her followers on the app. While the new turnaround barely leaves her with any chance to catch a breath, what she doesnt quite fathom yet is that as fast as she rose to the top, she can be pulled down to the ground just as quickly by the same lot of people on the internet. Investigating themes of self-esteem and confidence interlinked to the idea of getting likes on social media, the series deals with the same narrative as the new K-drama as similar insecurities haunt the main characters in Followers too.

The Social Network

No other movie about social media can surpass the one that openly chronicles the story of the social networking platform, Facebooks founders. But as the lore goes, you cant just befriend millions of people on the internet without some of them counting on you to fall on your back. During his young days at Harvard, Mark Zuckerberg created the networking site with his friend Eduardos help and changed so many lives. Ironically, much like how such platforms dont always reel in true friendships or have people pretending to be something theyre not, The Social Network marks a similar real life trajectory that went into coding the very platform into existence in the virtual world.

Also read: 6 Stylish Kdramas to Watch If You Want to Better Your Fashion Game: The Fabulous, Hotel Del Luna and More

Mujhse Fraandship Karoge (Hindi)

Catfishing will never be cool, nor should it ever be. However, this particular movie makes room for a Tit for Tat scenario that brews up chaos on a whole different level. The 2011 Hindi romantic comedy film, available for streaming on YouTube and Prime Video, posits the millennials favourite SNS platform Facebook as its main character. As Preity and Vishal don their best friends profiles on the social media website to speak to their respective crushes, the two nemesis dont realise that theyve accidentally ended up talking to each other instead, without the knowledge thereof. Although a simple-hearted film, it goes to great length to visualise how easy it is to hide behind a screen, be someone youre not and sell that image to the whole world.

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Nerve

Emma Roberts and Dave Francos 2016 movie pushes the limits not only mentally but also those related to ones physical safety, leading to life or death scenarios, all while youngsters participate in an online game of truth or dare unlike any other. The American flick gravely looks into how many high schoolers are basically coerced into following through with their fickle commitments, all primarily due to peer pressure, and with the whole worlds eyes watching them taking a leap towards their own possible deaths.

Unlocked (Korean)

Do these movies, shows and Kdramas about social media intrigue you? Is there any other title that is a deserving fit here according to you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

The new Celebrity Netflix original K-drama is now streaming on the OTT giant with English subtitles.

Also read: Hear Me Out MV Reactions: EXOs 2nd Pre-Release Track Lights Social Media on Fire WithHighPraise

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Enjoyed Celebrity on Netflix? 12 Movies and Shows About Social ... - Leisure Byte

A snap decision to step away has become a lifestyle shift for Philippa Moore. Though keeping up with friends can be tricky, she has no regrets

Wed 17 May 2023 11.00 EDT

On 10 January 2022 I thought I was going a bit mad.

Or maybe, after everything that had happened over the past two years and with the country in the grip of yet another Covid surge, Id just had enough. If my social media feeds were anything to go by, so had everyone else. Every time I opened Instagram or Twitter I felt caught up in a maelstrom of anger and hopelessness.

After reading one self-righteous rant too many, I made the snap decision to step away from social media. I didnt announce it. I just disappeared. I was curious to see what might happen and, more importantly, whether it would help.

As virtual dust settled on my profiles, I realised this decision had been building for some time. I didnt know whether social media was the problem or whether I was. All I knew was something had to give.

Within a week, my screen time was down a whopping 81%. And it wasnt just time I had regained. I felt as though I had my brain back. I had the ability to focus, to think clearly and deeply. I had more energy. I was sleeping better. I felt more creative and confident. My fear of missing out had vanished.

As the weeks passed, I noticed how much more relaxed I was, despite everything going on around me. It felt rebellious, thrilling even, to have vanished into thin air. My Fitbit reported the lowest resting heart rate Id had in months.

Initially I decided to see if I could make it through a week. Then two. Its now been 16 months and counting.

Every time I consider returning, the case against it is stronger. I dont want to go back to feeling anxious, sad, inadequate or in need of external validation every time I pick up my phone. Of course I havent stopped feeling those things but theres been a drastic reduction. I notice those feelings faster and, because theyre not being fed, they dont linger as they used to.

Stepping away from social media also made me take my work more seriously. Instead of channelling my creativity into captions, it went into my actual writing my PhD thesis, a novel. Without the ability to tab elsewhere, I stayed in my chair when I hit writers blocks and then pushed through them. I wrote more in 2022 than I ever have. I applied for fellowships and entered competitions, and won some. Social media, it seemed, had not been the bolstering place of inspiration I thought.

I also discovered a community of people who had done the same thing and I found great comfort knowing it wasnt just me. Where did I find them? Good old-fashioned blogs.

I began writing online nearly 20 years ago, when the word blog was still unfamiliar to many. I loved blogging and built a strong community without any of the platforms at our disposal now. When blogs became unfashionable, that energy was transferred into social media. So last year I stepped back in time and started blogging again. Some people came looking for me there that was heartening.

Trying to keep up with friends has been a bit trickier. Some friendships have flourished during my social media absence. Im grateful that most happily transferred over to text or email. Ive even become old-fashioned penpals with several interstate friends. But there are a few whom I considered very good friends whose communication has dropped off, too. This has been the only real downside of the whole experiment. Ive tried not to take it too personally it was my choice to step away. But I wasnt stepping away from those friendships, nor asking them to do the same.

I lamented over a friends silence to my husband. Have I upset them? I asked, a little panicked. He shook his head. They still like and respond to everything I put on Instagram. I dont think theyd do that if they were upset. Its just, to some people, if youre not on socials, you dont exist. Weirdly, that made me feel a little better.

Social media exploits a primal human need connection. And it is harder to find when you dont want to hang out where everyone else is. But now when I open my phone I rarely come away feeling lost. Rather than letting an algorithm dictate my life, Im living it on my own terms.

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In the year since I quit social media, my screen time has fallen, my mood is up even my resting heart rate is lower - The Guardian