Why We Need To Rethink Social Media

Being part of the Social Media revolution, and someone whom earns a living working online 24/7, I like to take time and look at where things are going, where the trends are today, and what is the future of my vocation and career. The way we consume media has splintered into a thousand shards creating a vast network of niche interests that satisfy any craving. We no longer are held captive by the major television networks for our attention, the newspaper is the slowest news medium, and radio is nearly an inconvenient tool for communication.

We have created new spheres of influence, new ways to consume content, communicate, and entertain. In this period we live in, even the term "Social Media" is waring thin, and in need of changing. Everyone wants to be the first to report on the "Death" of the Social Media Editor, or the end of Content Marketing, and even the demise of SEO. While these technical titles that revolve around Social Media might be in constant change, and refinement, the need for branding, marketing, and communication won't die out.

What will Social Media look like in 5 years? Mobile based marketing is going to be one trend that I can get behind. Our smartphones are nearing the point where they can replace a desktop computer (look at the Ubuntu Edge concept from Canonical) and tablets will exceed the sales of desktop computers soon, if they haven't already by the time you read this.

Apps, blogs, location-based texts, instant information, this is where we are heading, and we need to be in the mindset of mobile. Social Media Managers might be a title of antiquity in the near future, but the need for someone to manage a brands marketing and messaging won't ever fade. The future Social Media players need to know more than just how to play on Facebook and Twitter, they will need the technical know-how behind how these things work, how to build custom apps for their clients/companies, as well as User Experience knowledge.

The future of Social Media will need people with the eye of a designer, the knowledge of a programmer, and the finesse of a communications expert. The era of the specialized professional is coming to a close. How are you preparing for it?