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By Dr . Tracy Timberlake
Two decades of technology is all it took to change the lives of billions .
The Internet has had vast influence on life , culture , business , entertainment and politics . The world has never seemed smaller . Having access to the technology of the Interweb is no longer a luxury left solely for the elite . It is a necessity of the masses .
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The Internet got an upgrade with the dawn of social media . Smartphones and mobile devices have put the power of networking literally in the palm of our hands .
According to a study conducted by the International Data Corporation , 90 percent of people reach for their cellphones before brushing their teeth . So , as a power player how can you use that to your advantage ? How do you use social media to become an influencer in your industry ? Here are three ways .
Use Social Media to Enhance Visibility
No matter what kind of influence you aspire to have , going social can fast track success . The best way to increase visibility is by getting visual . Turn your business , your brand , or your message into visual content . If you are feeling extra frisky , try video . It ’ s the most powerful marketing tool on the planet . This gives people the extra ability to hear you before they hire
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you .
Use Social Media to Engage
A key component of being influential lies in your ability to understand human behavior and strategically apply it to get desired results . Social media can drastically help in this regard . By opening up the communication pathways with Instagram , Facebook , or Twitter , you stay relevant to your audience . You can ask questions , get feedback and build relationships . By knowing exactly what they want to hear from you , you position yourself to offer value and create the kind of content that keeps your people coming back .
Use Social Media as an Extension to Your Overall Strategy
Strategy is essential , no matter what the goal . Social media should enhance that by extending your reach to areas you may never have tapped into in real life .
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But in order to get the most out of your online activities , lets keep two things in mind : quality of content and consistency . Make curating content an important part of your planning . It ’ s easy to share content others have already created , but that doesn ’ t exactly set you apart as an authority figure , does it ? Secondly , be consistent . We are in a time and space where once a week simply isn ’ t enough . Depending on your social channels of choice , plan to post multiple times a week , at minimum .
No doubt , social media has changed the landscape of our lives . It has completely altered how the world gives and receives information . Remember , two decades is all it took for technology to change things the first time around . The next two will see even more exponential growth . As a person of power and influence , you have the opportunity to use this to increase your impact on a global scale .
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By Jasmen Rogers-Shaw
In our Western world , we strive for and pride ourselves on individualistic power – a power that is sustained by money , influence , and proximity to resources . We are concerned with who can get the most , the fastest , and look the best doing it .
But as more and more Millennials , specifically in South Florida , find
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themselves wallowing in student loan debt , struggling to compete with a housing crisis , and grappling with a stifling job market , maybe we should divert our attention to a power that is more communal – a power that means we all win together .
In Miami , we have no shortage of problems that could be solved if we had more power . In Liberty City , Overtown , and Little Haiti , developers have their eyes on historic lands that have been a part of Black neighborhoods for generations . Simultaneously , our Black neighborhoods are unprepared for the inevitable effects of climate change . Gun violence , state violence , and domestic violence are ravaging our legacies . Because we know that these issues are systemic and not issues that plague individuals , the power we use to fight back cannot be individualistic .
Miami-Dade County is steeped in the history of people power . We fought to be here and establish our homes . In the ‘ 60s ,
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coalitions formed to decry this nation ' s discrimination at all levels . In the ‘ 80s , we came together to protest the brutal beating of Arthur McDuffie . Today the fight of the past decades seems eerily similar . Millennials and youth have coalesced in the face of the crushing weight of white , white-passing , capitalistic , and / or patriarchal " power " that chooses to ignore our needs . We must continually flex our power to protect our children , our homes , our wealth , and our Black bodies .
When the power of money is not readily accessible to most of our people , we cannot afford to be disjointed in a fight for what ’ s ours . It is our duty to continue in the footsteps of our ancestors – our people who risked life , family , and work to fight for a power that would sustain us .
And for those already in positions of power , whether elected power or the power of popular opinion , be wise . Understand the weight of your decisions .
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Let the people guide you . Create more opportunities for more people to win . This is the power we owe ourselves – a power that puts people at the center , prioritizing basic needs for everyone . A power that is focused and precise . The ancestral power of the village .
Collectively , with shared visions , we have everything we need to fight back with power and dignity .
On June 22-23 , join us at “ Here Comes the Boom : An Assembly for Black Women and Girls ,” to build the political power of Black Women and Girls . Visit : www . herecomestheboom . org for more information .
Jasmen Rogers-Shaw is a community organizer in South Florida focusing on issues of racial and gender justice . jasmen . m . rogers @ gmail . com ; IG : @ thebeautyofthesoul ; Twitter : @ beautyofthesoul
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