Social Networks

Social Networks and Their Impact

At these places, people share diverse information, exchange opinions and viewpoints, discuss common interests and activities, thus using their unique way of mutual communication.

Social networks are organized in a way that within their framework, an individual creates a public, semi-public, or private profile within a system. In this system, they connect with other users of the same system, allowing or restricting the display of their information (photos, ideas, events, activities, messages, ads, etc.), facilitating interaction among users of a specific social network.

The emergence of social networks represents a kind of revolution in the way we communicate on personal and business levels, completely changing the established patterns of our lifestyles that we were accustomed to for decades before their appearance: personal or physical communication, writing letters, sending postcards - all of which meant maintaining contact with a handful of friends, relatives, colleagues, and acquaintances - a personal approach held greater value.

Virtual Interpersonal Communication

Social networks have conquered the entire planet. In developed countries, where the internet is virtually indispensable in people's daily lives, they can no longer imagine life without them. People of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, have profiles on social networks.

Among the most important attributes of social networks is undoubtedly the preservation and establishment of a network of acquaintances with people (current and former schoolmates, friends, acquaintances you might never see again, potential customers). The negative aspect of socializing on social networks is the looseness of relationships that can occur primarily due to the lack of personal contact.

Many social networks make it easier to find a soulmate (friendship or romantic) than through traditional means. In education, social networks are truly unique, as they allow real-time communication between professors and students, among classmates, while also offering the opportunity to share information and seek new knowledge. In the field of health, people with similar problems and illnesses encourage each other, connect, and offer advice.

It is interesting to note that social networks are not just a passing trend. Technology is advancing every day, new ways of communication, promotion, and advertising are emerging, but social networks are ideal for all of the above.

Types of Social Networks

Social networks are ideal places for self-presentation and for presenting one's creativity, activities, while also allowing the preservation and establishment of contacts (indirect or direct).

We know different social networks with various themes, such as:

• business-oriented websites (LinkedIn.com),
• websites for socializing (Facebook.com),
• romantic-themed social websites (Tinder.com),
• websites for people with similar interests (Pinterest.com),
• microblogging sites (Twitter.com),
• specialized websites created for viewing and streaming video content (YouTube.com), and many others.

A common feature of these social networks is the possibility of user comments and likes. Each social network requires the creation of a user profile, where the individual presents themselves with key information (birthday, education, place of residence, email address, links to personal websites). On their personal profile, they can also post photos and videos or create a blog. Users can decide on the privacy or public nature of their profile, allow or restrict comments from their contacts on their personal profile, enable the sharing of posts by their contacts, and more. Privacy security, notification of new messages, events, and changes, as well as a wide range of different options of certain social networks, are in the hands of each individual.

An extensive phenomenon of social networks has, among other things, caused the flood of profiles of organizations, companies, and groups, through which they promote their own articles, services, activities, and services. Even groups with common interests are not exceptions.

Social networks have been proven to serve as an effective tool in boosting the sales of your company and its advertising, consequently serving as an ideal way of promotion, establishing connections, gaining new knowledge and new business opportunities, educating your employees, and connecting with potential business partners or customers.

Spread of Social Networks

Interestingly, smaller companies were the most active at the beginning, and now many larger ones have joined them. There is still a lack of the presence of certain larger companies or brands. They will sooner or later have to get involved, as social networks have become an important communication channel. Due to their lag, they will have to make up for a lot in this area.

Germany and other larger European countries have active geolocation targeting on the social network Facebook, thanks to which advertisers can advertise based on regions, thus limiting the funds of marketing campaigns. The cost per click there reaches a euro or more, so advertisers have doubts about the relevance of advertising on larger social networks. Despite the increasing number of users, user activity is decreasing, which can be attributed to information saturation on the internet.

Consequently, numerous niche sites will emerge. With smaller social networks, we can have a greater marketing impact and better results. Many communities sponsored by companies will be created. Companies will either build their own social community or hire other companies for this job.