There is so much to discuss today as far as the importance of using social media away from the workplace, especially during the lockdown is concerned. After all, the year 2020 will come to be known as the year the entire world stopped. Whereby, people all around the world are encouraged to stay home as much as they can.
And if they have to, they need to practice social distancing when outside. Or even to self-quarantine whenever they are contaminated. Whole nations are in lockdown with the movement of people restricted and limited. This is the world we live in today, a world more like a science fiction movie than reality. All because of one microscopic virus!
The new world order has put people’s anxiety at an all-time high. No one knows when this will end, even scientists argue the duration of social distancing and lockdowns will stay in effect. In times of crisis and catastrophe, people used to turn to traditional media outlets to get the latest news but, as stated earlier, we live in very different times.
What is the Importance of Social Media?
In modern days, the power and the importance of social media is a matter of sensitivity and accuracy reception. Both to the users and the creators of the social media platforms. On the other side, there are countless creatives addressing the importance of social media platforms, all of which have a unique characteristic and purpose.
Not forgetting, everything has changed about the way we market. The way we address customers to how we view our competitors. Below is a confession by the jmexclusives CEO;
I’ll confess: when a co-worker insisted I join Twitter in 2009, I thought it was a useless waste of time.
How could anyone share meaningful communication in 140 (now 280 for some) characters? That reluctance didn’t last long at all. If you’ve been reading the news headlines about social media for the last few years, you may be tempted to think: Merely opening a Twitter account will triple your revenue this year. So, what is the importance of social media during a lockdown?
1. Increased Traffic
The current state of the world has pushed almost everyone to turn to the internet for the latest updates. While people still tune in to local news channels or read newspapers, for real-time updates, online media is where most people get their information.
The number of minutes people are spending reading news sites has dramatically increased from last year. And because almost everywhere people are prohibited from interacting with friends in real life, many have turned to social media platforms to stay connected even virtually.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube have all seen increased traffic in recent weeks. Skype and Zoom user numbers also saw a meteoric rise now that the majority of people are instructed to work from home.
2. Changing Behavior
The most obvious reason why people have turned to social media in a time where no one is allowed to leave their homes is one that is dictated by nature. Humans are inherently social beings.
We evolved to learn to interact with other humans. It’s how our species thrive. Our genetics is hardcoded to socialize. Whether you label yourself an introvert or an extrovert, after a couple of days in isolation, you crave human contact and companionship.
Because social gatherings are prohibited, we turn to the next best thing – social media. This global pandemic that seemingly changed everyone’s lives overnight has made a lot of people anxious and looking for support amidst all these uncertainties. Now more than ever people are looking to connect and to be reassured that all these will pass.
3. Limitless Connections
In order to stay connected, people have begun using apps for video interaction. And not only are people using it to connect with family and friends, traditional entertainment that requires the mass gathering of crowds has moved to online streaming.
From conferences to talk shows to concerts, everyone is making use of these avenues not only for entertainment but as a form of escapism from a world that no longer makes sense. And on the flip side, we should all be wary of the amount of information we are consuming regarding the state of our world.
But, Why?
Simply, because too much news might be mentally harmful and cause our anxiety level to skyrocket. The threat of fake news is also very real which will only serve to dishearten people despite them being baseless and geared towards fear-mongering.
It’s important to strike that balance between being present in the moment and staying positive and hopeful yet still practical when it comes to the current state of affairs.
4. It’s the New Normal
If this global pandemic (Coronavirus) happened 10 years ago, it would have been unimaginable for people to live in self-isolation for an extended period of time. The ubiquitousness of the internet has made being stuck at home bearable.
We can now watch an almost unlimited number of movies and TV shows. Others are also stepping up and offering free online classes to curb people’s boredom. To stay active and fit, people can tune in to online yoga, pump, and HIIT classes.
5. Reputation Awareness Buildup
Brands and companies have also focused their strategies to capitalize on the number of people flocking to social media. Businesses have ramped up their marketing efforts to focus on online strategies. Many marketing agencies have suggested brands to focus on giving people fresh content.
Companies are also encouraged to check up on their customers instead of trying to make a sale. Responding to comments and messages has also become a high priority amongst businesses.
While it’s true that we live in uncertain times. Whereby, we don’t know when all these will end.
And how it will affect our lives after – we are seeing the resiliency of the human spirit. Through social media, people are coming together to help those most affected by this pandemic.
Others are stepping up to offer comfort and solace. Whereby, the rise of social media activities is enough proof. That despite what the world is going through right now, we humans will find a way to stay connected.
Takeaway;
What do you think about the importance of social media during the lockdown? Does it play any role in your marketing plan while working from home? Please, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
This is equally important: Do you have someone close who is undergoing difficulties during the Coronavirus lockdown? Especially if they seem to be struggling mentally, please advise them to get online help. You can also Contact Us if you’ll need more support or help in your social media marketing plan.
Related Topics;
- Where is Social Media Profiling used?
- Social Media Listening | What Does It Involve?
- Why is Social Media Engagement important?
- Social Media Team | Training Guidelines For All Beginners
- A Realistic Social Media Campaign Budgeting Strategy
About the Author:
Eliza Brooks is a passionate young blogger who loves to write about SEO techniques, digital marketing, social media, and more. She is currently working with Galaxy Marketing, one of the leading providers of social media marketing (SMM) services in Germany.
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