While social media can (err, most definitely is!) a time-suck, it’s not all bad news. Rather, according to Jeremy Goldman, social media expert and author of the forthcoming Going Social: Excite Customers, Generate Buzz, and Energize Your Brand with the Power of Social Media, all those hours plugged into your phone and computer may have some benefits after all! Social media can boost self-esteem! A recent University of Georgia study found that college students who logged into Facebook more often scored higher on measures of self-esteem than their peers who didn’t. As Jeremy Goldman points out, social media allows you to find others dealing with your same issues and improve feelings of isolation. Plus, research indicates that people who feel as though they are not alone with their problems have more confidence.Social media creates unlikely connections. It’s a no-brainer that social media connects you to others – but the power in social media is the connections it creates outside of your in-person social circle. By connecting you with friends of friends and even strangers, social media can lead to unlikely friendships, mentors and even career advancements.Social media can save time and money. For all of you who think of social media as a waste of time, think again! Need a quick restaurant recommendation or a baby gift idea? Ask your “friends” or “followers” and get feedback instantly! Thinking about buying a new red lipstick? Post a picture on Instagram and see what your followers think immediately before wasting money on a color that doesn’t quite work for you.Social media can make you more creative. Stuck in a creative rut? Have a yearning to tap into your inner Martha Stewart? Get pinning (or just peaking) on Pinterest, for visual inspiration for everything from kitchen remodeling and cupcake decorating to first date dressing and dorm room decorating.
