Blog Post #1- Instagram

Hi everyone,

A social media media app/website that I use often is Instagram. While it is safe to assume, that like many of my peers, we have similar responses. As I say this because Instagram has exponentially taken off since its introductory stages. It's significant method of entertainment and recreational use has benefitted its users in a way that has not been demonstrated before. While this app can not only be informative toward our social interests; these being local businesses, celebrities, and other entertainment resources. It can also be a form of social interaction with our immediate circle of friends and peers that we not interact with on a regular basis. This app creates the illusion of intimacy with the separation of distance and physical presence. what I mean is that we be be in great lengths of distance between one another but still feel as if we are connected and in the 'know'. As the term 'know' is loosely used here in reference to this distance that can allow the manipulation of representation to get the best of us. Essentially, portraying an intended image what we would like to exhibit.

On the other end of the spectrum, this can be used as a professional platform. It becomes a medium of communication of business inquiries. The use of Instagram creates a community-like network that brings a sense of connectivity that not necessarily other domains can bring. This intended message again comes into play, with an effective method of advertisement or marketing that benefits the business. As I believe that incorporating the business side of this social media app is important because we have increasingly witnessed that businesses are incorporating this into their communication platforms.

If you would like to check out some examples of this here are the following links:

major corporation: https://www.instagram.com/tdbank_us/?hl=en

local business: https://www.instagram.com/kellysbake/?hl=en

personal use: https://www.instagram.com/kellyripa/?hl=en

Thanks for reading!
...

Comments

  1. Madison KaiserSeptember 26, 2018 at 2:13 PM

    I really enjoyed reading your post! We share a lot of similar opinions when it comes to Instagram's many uses. Although it is known for its role in social connection, it also acts as a platform for marketing and advertising like you mentioned. I think it is a good tool for small businesses who are trying to expand their clientele, for example, and for people trying to connect with their friends and family. On the other hand, I believe Instagram is also a space of competition. I enjoy using Instagram just like many people my age; however, I think it has many negative uses in addition to the positive ones you mentioned above. Even though I say this, I continue to use Instagram on a regular basis :)

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  2. UnknownSeptember 27, 2018 at 7:45 AM

    I think you are spot on when it comes to the many affordances of Instagram as a medium. The way I’ve come to look at Instagram, as well as social media in general, is to treat it like a double edged sword. There are many positive aspects of social media and their uses, many of which you outlined really clearly, however I think it has the potential to be pretty damaging if not carefully considered. I remember reading a study for another class some time ago about the use of social media and a variable called ‘self-reported well-being’. Self-reported well-being encompasses everything from confidence to your long term outlook on life and the study found that as social media use increased people reported lower and lower feelings of general well-being. It really made me consider my own social media habits.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tarik Lee-VaiyaSeptember 27, 2018 at 12:22 PM

    Hi, your post is really good!! I can see how we both have the same intentions when it comes to Instagram. Instagram has allowed for interactions to be reached in a immediate term without the need for physical presence. I believe I can see and interact with an acquaintance's post without catching up or seeing that person. Instagram provides its user the feeling of reminiscing, where we see pictures of people we have not seen for a while but we feel much closer to them through social media as we like or comment on their pictures. Therefore, I agree with your statement on Instagram giving its users an illusion of intimacy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownSeptember 28, 2018 at 11:06 AM

    Hi!

    I really enjoyed reading your post on Instagram because I also believe that Instagram is not only a place for friends and family to connect, but also for businesses to expand and advertise their companies. I believe that it is so revolutionary that Instagram has become a platform where individuals can easily and quickly switch between a personal account where they can stay connected with people on a personal level, to a business account where users can promote and share information with millions of people around the globe. After reading your post, I took the time to investigate specifically how Instagram connects businesses with all of these users and I discovered many astonishing features of Instagram. When businesses use Instagram, they are able to put a face to their brand, show appreciation to their followers, get feedback and collect data, boost sales, build connections with other businesses and people, learn about consumer trends, and more! This really proved to me that Instagram may be on its way to becoming one of the most useful business tools online. Thanks!


    Here is the article that provided me with this interesting information:
    https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/03/reasons-to-use-instagram-for-business.html

    ReplyDelete

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