Thank you to BING Social Search for sponsoring my post about social media. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
When I was just entering my teen years, my grandparents invested in a computer with dial-up (OMG!) Internet. At that moment, I didn’t really “get” what the Internet was other than I could access others databasis and websites that were very far away from me, and I could do it all right from my own home. For a teenager, that’s Boring..with a capital “B”. Socially awkward, and caught in the middle of a nasty divorce, my junior high years were filled with worry, anxiety, and fear for the future. It was an unstable time in my life, and at a time when most girls are worried about a weekend soccer tournament or upcoming dance recital, I found myself lost, and unable to connect with the those around me.
Then, by some force of the social universe and my sheer love for computer technology, I discovered chat and quickly learned that I could be social with people all over the world right from this tiny little box that sat upon my desk. There were no judgements, no socially awkward or forced interactions, and a place where I could be myself and connect with others in a safe and appropriate environment. I have heard it said that social media has turned our society “un-social”. I tend to disagree. Social media provided me with an outlet when there were no other options around. It was at this moment that my path in social media was set into motion, and has become not only my means of making a living and contributing to my family, but social media has opened up a new world of endless possibilities, along with a vast array of amazing people around the world that I now call my friends.
This blog is here because of social media. Without a means to communicate with all of you, DM would cease to exist, and heaven forbid we didn’t have the DM Facbook page where we discuss the latest deals in real time. In fact, one company took note of this trend and has introduced a new way to incorporate your Facebook buddies with your online searches. Want to know your friends favorite place for happy hour? Their favorite products at Amazon? Just use BING’s Social Search and allow your friends to help!
How do you engage in social media? Did you meet your special someone through social media? Do you use social media as a means to make a living? Connect with others? Promote a good cause?
I remember my first little adventure into a chat room and how it felt to be talking to people all over the world. It’s so strange to look back and see how much social media has changed in such a short timeframe (relatively speaking). Now, chat rooms are all but obsolete and I feel like an old lady! HA!
Bing is pretty cool how they are working really hard to stay up to date with social aspects. I love how they work like that
I’m excited to see how social media/internet, etc. changes over the next 5-10 years.
I originally started using social media to promote my businesses but I find I use it more now for connecting with fellow bloggers .