Mashable - The Social Media Guide - Latest Comments in Is Social Media an Industry?

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Carlos Lorenzo — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:27:08 -0000

Social media is an industry in the sense that good old marketing people found the gold and rushed for it, adopting the word and readjusting the meaning. In other words, this is what sells now, this is where the money is. So either you are a fool or you hang yourself the social media label somewhere. Some people understand the concept, some others simply make use of it in spite of not having the slightest idea of what this is about. I would say, social media is a fact, it is here to stay. It is like a race horse, a winning horse. It could run free in the wild, but sadly enough this breed horse is already on the tracks and a lot of people are betting on it.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Christine LaBon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:09:29 -0000

Social media is an excellent tool that can be used in any industry to build brand awareness, connect companies to their followers, and provide a place for feedback about current activities and processes. Social media in itself generates revenue, but needs a product or service to bring about profits. In other words social media cannot be sold as an intangible benefit, only utilized as one. In order for social media to be defined as an industry, networks of people would have to pay to use sites such as Facebook or Twitter. Let’s all be glad that that’s not the case.
-Christine LaBon

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Akanksha Goel — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:36:27 -0000

Well, this poll is a little skewed :) Afterall, mashable-regulars are definitely the social-media-rocks and social-media-is-an-indutry types.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

joel — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:19:32 -0000

No doubt that social media is a growing industry.Apart from the growth of twitter and facebook, there are numerous social media sites coming up every year that scratch the surface of social media’s growth.Social media marketing is the basis for creating and obtaining quality links.It helps in getting more contacts and followers and thus helps a lot in online marketing.It is a "real phenomenon".

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Suits for Toddlers — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:34:38 -0000

I've been reading along for a while now.
I just wanted to drop you a comment to say keep up the good work

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

kwwphoto — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:15:05 -0000

Gold or silver is a commodity, not social media.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Richter10.2 Media Group — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:17:17 -0000

I voted for Social Media already being an industry, totally.
We design WebPR campaigns, so I deal with Social Media at my day job, I love it.

Ali Magnano

www.whywebpr.blogspot.com

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Emily — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:36:52 -0000

Nope, social media is not an industry and it won't become one. It is (or will eventually become I believe) however an important part of several industries. This poll proves how much a buzzword "social media" really is.
Unless there's a specific meaning to "industry" term that is meant here. That's something your question or article should have made clear in the first place I recon.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Kk — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:34:18 -0000

Agree Social media is one type of industry. Expanding very quickly.

http://mashable.com/2009/03...

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

sidtech — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:49:26 -0000

Social Network marketing is gradually becoming an integral part of any SEO campaign. I believe this is just one of the first steps of social media being recognised of its importance as a tool to get more business. Said simply, an industry is taking shape! http://www.sidtech.biz

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

David Krupp — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:09:21 -0000

I don't think there is any doubt that social media is about to explode as an industry. Working for MySpace I have been exposed to the new frontiers of advertising opportunties for social media networks and it is extremely exciting. It's about all about education now. Have a read of my latest blog re how MySpace is creating cutting edge oppotunities for brands today. If this isn't the start of an industry then I don't know what is! www.kruppyrants.blogspot.com

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Steve Poppe — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:52:15 -0000

Social media is quite a "real" phenomenon, but I don't think it's an industry. Because most social media is free to users and ad supported, it is really just a subset of online media. Just my POV, of course.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Paul Chaney — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:44:11 -0000

Social media is an industry. That's why the IBNMA was created, to foster its growth.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Bart Vickers — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:29:23 -0000

Social media is a marketing channel, a subdivision of digital. So in the sense that there are businesses who generate their revenues through this channel, yes it is an industry. Those who can integrate this channel with other channels will be the most successful.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

swag — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:59:56 -0000

It's bad when people confuse features for businesses. It's even worse when they confuse them for entire industries.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Rachel Burkot — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:26:31 -0000

I think social media can definitely be labeled as an industry - if not because of its current numbers, then because of its projected numbers. Social media is going to be huge in a few years' time. Some might say it's silly to base a label on future projections, but the current trends make seeing the future of social media as simple as seeing what is right in front of them. There is no doubt about it. Social media is going to be huge. So we might as well call it an industry.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Steve Johnson — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:02:14 -0000

I'm not convinced that social media is a viable industry. I still haven't seen a business model that would lend itself to sustainable profitability. We spent years building revenue in the late 90's to have it all bust in the early part of this century. I would consider social media the next big tool not an industry of it's own.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Holly Powell — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:14:54 -0000

In my wn opinion, i think social media is an industry.. Think about all the multiple streams of income that many people have benifited from social media.. Whether it is an industry or not, the important thing is we make the best out of it. Thanks for sharing this post..

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Guillaume — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:56:18 -0000

What would you define as an industry?? I wish you answered that in your article.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Jonathan — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:26:05 -0000

It only helps to define something as an industry if it works in a fundamentally different way. Social media is just a branch of the entertainment industry - it's just another way of getting people to engage and buy things. It's not different from other media any more than hedge funds are different from short sellers, or forestry is different from cereals. Treat it as a separate industry if you want, but that will only blinker you.

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Zohaib Usman — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:48:45 -0000

i think social media is an industry. just need to accept this now.
Facebook is making millions and billions of dollars and dominating all the web.
But people are also take advantage from this industry. So its an industry for all

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Mohammad Afaq — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:08:17 -0000

I believe social media is an industry and anyway what would you say any business that gets in billions every year.

Mohammad Afaq
Free Website Traffic
Free People Search

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Sujata Chadha — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:35:56 -0000

I believe social media is still at it's infancy. It will intrinsically become a part of everyone's life & the way people/businesses communicate & get feedback from customers. More complex and user friendly platforms & tools will develop to make it a more comprehensive communication medium. Info here will be used in ways we have not thought of before - it will make life richer by the collaborative experiences of other experts feedback (eg medical diagnosis etc). Sure we will need to resolve the security/privacy concerns.... but I am excited about what comes once it matures:-)

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Jody — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:06:30 -0000

Is Social Media making money yet? Can it be an industry if it isn't?

Re: Is Social Media an Industry?

Adam Chandler — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:58:55 -0000

I actually voted no on this. Despite making money in social media, I feel that it's not an industry just yet. Industries are huge and I don't think we're an industry "yet"

Also, this poll lacks substantial evidence that it's an industry simply because it's posted on Mashable which is full of readers who work and breathe social media. I think a poll like this on CNN.com or The Economist would be a better fit.