The Power of Social Media

• Jen Miller for Needsomeonetoblog.com


• 29 Sep 2014

“Is social media REALLY that important?”
“I’m not on Google Plus – does that matter?”
“Nobody sees my feed anyway, why do I need Facebook?”

These comments are often made by new clients.

Clients who don’t use, understand or value social media.

Clients who don’t understand the power of social media.

At Need Someone To Blog, we use social media every day and we VALUE every post.

We build our own profiles. We build the profiles of our clients.

We do this by sharing what matters to us and them on a regular basis. From publicizing services and posts to promoting goodwill and fun, social media really does matter and it is important. It attracts new business and it creates connections. Social media can build friendships. It can strengthen family ties.

Strengthening Family Through the Power of Social Media

A few years ago my sister-in-law and her young family moved away, giving us little opportunity for in-person contact. From afar we have kept in touch and watched her family grow and seen their lives unfold through social media. The contagious smiles and enthusiastic pool jumping and wrestling have made me giggle as I watched Jennifer, the mom of 3 boys, manage a busy, ever-active life with humor. Those posts have mattered to me personally.

I watched her as she shared a growing belly when she announced she was pregnant with her fourth boy and imagined how adorable he would be. I marveled at her good cheer and love for her children. I followed her struggle as she had complications and delivered her pre-mature yet healthy and beautiful son, Rocky. She shared photos on Instagram and Facebook of Rocky “giving the finger” to nurses as they blindfolded and shined bilirubin lights on him. It made me laugh to watch them accept and document this hardship with ease and grace.

Through sharing photos on social media, Jennifer created a community and shared precious moments with extended family and friends. Early last week we saw him dolled up in a bow-tie and before that we saw adorable shots of Rocky in a toy truck. I’ve witnessed countless moments of Rocky being snuggled by his family in social media and marveled at his first selfie (it wasn’t blurry). His smile was infectious, even as a newborn.

On Saturday I got a call saying that Rocky had not woken up from his nap. He could not be revived. His family is devastated. We all are.

And yet, his story and their family’s story of love and loss will continue to be shared. It will be shared on blogs and on social media. The power of social media will be seen through fundraising efforts for Rocky’s memorial. His story will be shared through word of mouth. It will be told with love and heartbreak because as little as he was, Rocky’s presence was felt deeply in our lives.

Social media creates connections. It captures life moments. It matters and is real while being virtual. And, sometimes it becomes the only connection we have. That connection shows the power of social media.

Rocky’s Memorial Fund is no longer active, but thank you to those who contributed to his campaign and story.