What’s the Value of Social Media?

Image: WikiCommons

As more and more leaders and influencers explore the benefits of the relationship economy by participating in social networks, services like LinkedIn increase in value.

Advertising Age, for example, has just released data offering clearer definition about who uses LinkedIn and what they’re using the service to accomplish.  Although it was originally designed as a professionals’ network, LinkedIn is now gaining credibility across all networks.   Advertising Age reports it has at least 30 million subscribers.  Since many times, LinkedIn connections seem business related, it could be that Christians miss seeing how their LinkedIn rolodex has any ministry value.

But as participatory media evolves we, as Christian leaders, are broadening our understanding of the value of contacts, connections and colleagues.  Spheres of influences branch out and link us together with often fewer and fewer degrees of separation (see: 6 degrees of separation).

More importantly, others view our connections as a measure of credibility and accountability.  They see our contacts as a means of authenticating our lives.  This trend towards a relationship-based economy (placing value on relationships) is what gives social media it’s value add.

For example, if I have a friend who is asking if I know of a good ministry in Dallas, Texas, I would be far more likely to recommend a LinkedIn contact in that area than anything else.  Furthermore, if I recommend a pastor in Dallas to my friend, that recommendation is greatly enhanced if that pastor has other connections shared in common via social networking sites with the person looking for a church.

Social networking will grow in value as “advertising” gives way to personal recommendations.  You can research this trend online. (i.e. - See Online Advertising is Now Dead by Dave Winer)

If you need to know more about LinkedIn, you can receive online training via webinar at sites like Integrated Alliances. (They also offer Facebook training.)  If we know one another you can add me: you’ll find my LinkedIn profile here.