Giving Social: Gifts for the Social Media Obsessed?
This holiday, why not give your social media–obsessed friend or family member a tangible reminder of their social network? Like a Twitter necklace or book of all their posts and pictures? While hokey, gifts like this might actually be a desirable keepsake and a perfect holiday gift for your favorite social media addict. Knowing basic information about your pal will help you select the right gift for the holidays.
By Sara Weiner Collis, Associate Director Digital Integration & Innovation, RTCRM
Key Information
With more than 800 million people on Facebook,
1 100 million on Twitter, and 30 million Google+ users,
2 you're bound to know somebody who is obsessed with social media. An addict is identifiable by their constant attachment to their smartphone and laptop. When they are on the move, their head is buried in their Twitter app, and when they are seated their laptops are opened to Facebook.com. Every detail of their life becomes a status update, and their every movement becomes an alert. The addict doesn't think in terms of TMI, they think in terms of BBLBNTSBG2GTAP: Be Back Later But Not Too Soon Because Got To Go Take A Pee.
3 Forrester would likely rank these people at the top of their ladder as Creators,
4 but you might just know them as an uncle, brother or BFF. And since they are a close friend or family member, you're probably worrying about what to get them for the holidays.
Luckily, their habitual social media behavior may actually make it easier to find them the perfect gift. An inexpensive way to poke fun at these folks, while providing them with a lasting reminder of their social networks, is to purchase a social media gift built from their own profile. Survival of the Hippest's Twitter Handle Necklace, Facebook's EgoBook, and CrowdedInk's Friends TwitterMug are just a few ideas for the social media addict. All of these items are lasting mementos of their social networks.
Implications and Action Items- Know your audience. Consider how often your friend or family member uses social media and if they are a habitual over-sharer. If it's "constantly" and "yes," proceed.
- Select your gift. Consider if they use Twitter or Facebook more often. Do they wear jewelry or are they a coffee drinker? Considering their style and habits will point you in the right direction.
- Order the personalized item. You have to have a Facebook account to order the EgoBook, but for the Twitter items all you need is the recipient's username.
- Surprise and delight. Wrap your gift and watch as your social media addict unveils all their friends and followers in their very tangible keepsake.
1 http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics2 http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/09/12/The-Social-Media-Explosion-By-the-Numbers.aspx#page13 http://www.safesurfingkids.com/chat_room_internet_acronyms.htm4 http://forrester.typepad.com/groundswell/2010/01/conversationalists-get-onto-the-ladder.html