Social media: The Grand Delusion - A paradox or subtle destruction.

The internet changes over time. That the technology that comes with it has evolved is obvious. But how we use the internet is also changing. So we have two conceptual distinctions — technology and people — that we frequently conflate into one idea of the internet. This post is more about a tool driven by the internet and an attempt at tearing apart the objective and subjective dimensions of social media, and bringing to fore the high level of delusion that comes with this platform.

There could be various categories of people based on social media: There are those who thrive on it and those who don’t. One can easily pick them out by just a glance at their profile. A thriving person would have well over 3000 friends, frequent status updates, some as mundane as “do not disturb”, “starving”, “Feeling funky” and that will attract a lot of likes and also likes and comments on their hundreds if not thousands of photos. For the other party, they hardly get to update their status, upload photos or do anything other than liking other people.

Now it’s easy to see how the thriving party sees life. To them, whatever their real life is, they can ignore it and have fun with friends on social media. In real life these people are more likely to be introverts, but have a view about life that lets them be happy about it and that happiness is obtained from their interactions and existence on the social media. These people have come to accept the social media as the real world, a form of escape from life’s realities, to them, they have suddenly migrated to a new found planet: The tenth planet, where they are having fun, keep having fun, keep wasting time, keep being busy, in short keep thriving on.

How many times have you encountered someone that you have known in “real life” for years on a social network, only to find that they are a completely different person on Facebook, Youtube or Twitter?  What accounts for this disparity?

We’ve gotten so carried away by the buzz and glam that the social media presents, that we’ve practically lost touch with reality. There’s so much ‘’Super-heroism’’ going on in the social media, that a lot of people have easily swapped the real world we live in, to exist in this mind-created state of Utopia or El Dorado.

A lot of us go out to seek, validation, love, and acceptance of the self-created social status that we have built for ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, I have met some wonderful people in real life, who are no different from who they are on the social media, just like I’ve met some very wonderful people via social media, who turned out to who they represent on these platforms. I’ve also met ‘fraudsters’ and crooks on all here, who find the social media as a bounty-hunting platform.

I don’t have a problem with the use of social media for ‘’Image-validation’’ if indeed this effort eventually reflects in our real lives. It’s very much in order.

The tweet that motivated this article reads:

‘’It seems Twitter mentions & retweets, Instagram 'likes' & Facebook comments & 'likes' have become people's barometer for measuring self-worth’’ - @CrackBerryJunki 

The second one from Facebook reads:

Nkenim Nkanta Wrote: ‘’Life on Facebook is so easy and blissful...
...I mean Many folks on here are either a pastors, Ideal lovers, marriage/relationship counselors, ideal husbands/wives, perfectionist, rich, motivators, spotless creatures, ideal friends, Miss/Mr. faithfulness, you name it.
I am really sure all this bad people in the real world are not on Facebook’’.

We see all sorts out here on the social media. If you really want to know how deluded folks can be check out a twit fight on twitter. You’ll see stuff like: ‘’Imagine you’re insulting me here with your 10 followers’’ and you go through the profile of the person tweeting, you find out he has just a little over 100 followers and he is already feeling like a twitter super-hero. (I wonder what he wants Justin Bieber, who has over 40 million followers to say). It’s easy to get carried away by the number of people who like our statuses, pictures, the comments we get, the number of virtual friends and followers cum ‘’disciples’’ we have on these platforms, (Over 90% of whom we don’t even know) etc. On this tenth planet, It’s common place to see ‘’Big time executives, folks who drive super automobiles, Travel the world and check into the most exotic holiday destinations, also big time perfect folks’’, who as far as they are concerned, don’t even fart and are on standby to condemn and cast aspersions on those of us that are not up to par, spiritually, financially, morally, you name it.

It’s easy to find people out here, who will readily tell you how to make millions online or even offline and show themselves off as gurus in this field, yet in reality, have nothing to show for the information they are dishing out. Another funny aspect is when you see teenagers and singles, dishing out marriage tips and also people who have been through failed/broken alliances, suddenly becoming life coaches, counselors, coming to teach our world how to succeed in an aspect of life they failed in and are still struggling with getting their balance back, or struggling business folks telling you how to make millions. This to me is crass hypocrisy. Like they say, ‘’Talk is cheap’’ A friend tweeted not too long ago, ‘’If your Christianity does not work for you at home, don’t export it outside its walls”.  I will only believe in you and listen to you if I know you’ve been successful in a certain aspect of life, with results to show. It’s easy to come on the social media and make ourselves gurus. Of course I know a couple of people who are a true representation of what they put up as statuses, tweets, etc. I’m always in a hurry to align with those folks…Yes these folks abound on the social media. (I’m not against sharing some inspiration; it could help someone out there).

What am I trying to say? The earlier we all come to realize that the social media is only, but a tool (Either for reconnecting with friends/Family, keeping in touched with loved ones, or as a platform for promoting our businesses, maintaining a relationship with our clients, etc the better for us).  The social media to many is a tenth planet they live in and they so much believe it is real, so it’s easy to see people go all out to impress and build self-worth and seek approval out here. The REAL YOU AND I is not what we project behind our PCs, Laptops, Tablets, mobile devices etc. Like I said earlier, there are people who are no different from who they are on the social media, rough and nasty online and the same in the real world and equally well groomed people are not different from the real world, but the bulk of us out here have lost touch with reality, especially when we get multiple retweets, bulk status and photo comments, Instagram likes, and so on, have come to accept the social media as the real blue marble planet. The social media has presented a grand platform for the exhibition of, and display of what I term, the ‘’grand delusion’’ a paradox or subtle destruction. The truth is, we are a human society, not a planet social media….Let’s think again!

Social Media Marketing: The Best Investment You Will Ever Make

If you are one of the few businesses that have not made the investment in social media, now is the time! Your investment in social media can lead to astronomical returns if you do it right. Here are three reasons that social media marketing should be a major player in your overall marketing strategy.

#1: Social Media Does Not Require A Huge Upfront Investment

When you are using traditional marketing tools, such as direct mail, there is a large investment in creating the marketing materials and getting them into the hands of your ideal prospect. Think about a simple postcard. You have to pay a graphic designer or ad agency for creative services and then a mailing company for postage and fulfillment. The more people who want to reach, the higher the cost will be. With social media, your start-up investment is mostly in the time it takes to set up profiles such as a Facebook Fan Page, a Yelp business page or a Twitter handle since most social media profiles are available for free.

#2: You Do Not Have To Have A Marketing Or Tech Degree To Be Successful

Businesses that have found success in using social media have often had a DIY approach. Social media does not require that you have programming skills. Of course it is helpful if you understand basic marketing practices of knowing your demographic and understanding customer behavior, but a more technical degree does not always equate to success in social media marketing. Studying up on social media can be as simple as finding a great social media expert’s blog and following their advice or paying a social media consultant to get you up and running.

#3: Results Are Driven By Activity Rather Than Capital

In old school marketing, the amount of money you spent dictated how many people you reached. In social media marketing, some of the most well documented social media successes have come from a viral approach that was based on activity rather than dollars spent in advertising or PPC. It can be as simple as posting a funny video or an inspirational message that gets your followers’ attention and goes viral. The important thing to remember in social media marketing is that much of it is trial and error. Some things work, some do not. Learn from your successes and understand that it is an ongoing process that ebbs and flows.

If you are not sure how to get started, there are many social media companies with affordable start-up packages. The key is to get started immediately. The Internet is waiting for the next best thing to go viral.

--- Kim Garst

Meet El Mafrex, Nigerian-born urban gospel singer-songwriter, Future Awards for Africa nominee, Double Award Winner, Scottish New Music Awards, MOBO Awards Nominee and several other awards and nominations, a designer and more...

Meet El Mafrex

El Mafrex, (Born, Mfreke Obong Ibanga; May 14, 1984) is a Nigerian-born urban gospel singer-songwriter based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This Manchester United F.C. fan was born in Nigeria, as stated above and attended the Nigerian Military School Zaria, Kaduna state. He graduated in 2006 from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, where he studied Physics and majored in Electronics. In 2010, he obtained a masters degree in Information-Systems Development, from the Edinburgh Napier University.

In 2001 he started a boy-band called Men of Destiny (MOD) and was the lead vocalist of the five-man group. The band toured and played shows in Nigeria, especially the South-South region, before later expanding from a boy-band to a family project. The family project gave bith to the Destiny Kids and the MOD dancers.

While in the University of Uyo, he formed another boy-band, Da Grooves, made up of Louis and Geepee. Together they played gigs on campus and its environs.

At the end of 2004, he left the group to start his own solo career, which he called the El Mafrex project. He was voted artiste of the year in 2005 by the SUG of the University of Uyo and his songs ‘’Rhythm in the air’’ and ‘’Esio Mkpo’’ enjoyed a lot of airplay on radio and TV stations all over Nigeria. ‘’Rhythm in the air’’ won song of the year on the then Cosmo FM Enugu.

El Mafrex has other interests besides music, as he prepares to launch his own brand of sunglasses. He had his sunglasses customized, and got a lot of compliments from people, who are interested in acquiring them. This has propelled him to having his own line of sunglasses. The name of the line would be 3:16, derived from the bible verse, John 3:16.

His song ‘’Jehovah’’ which features Christian Rock band, the Royal Foundlings, had well over 500,00 hits within its first week of release on Youtube.

Awards and Nominations

• ·  Winner, Scottish New Music Awards as, Artiste of the Year
• ·     
•       Winner, Scottish New Music Awards as, Urban Recording Of the year, making him the The First Black Man to win the SNMA.
• ·   
•      Nominated Scottish New Music Award, in Video of the year category.
• · 
•      Nominated, 2012 Music Of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) as Best Gospel Act.
• ·
•      Nominated, for the 2013 FUTURE AWARDS FOR AFRICA , under the category of Entertainment Talent

Top Singles

• ·        2006 – Rhythm in the air
• ·        2010 – Ibagaba
• ·        2011 – Thank You
• ·        2012 – Jehovah, No Denying, Bounce and Your Word.

With some nominations and awards on your resume, the most recent being the Future Awards nomination…What is music to you?

Music to me is the metronome of God’s heart. Music is melodious way of passing a strong message across, as a Christian it’s an easy way of preaching the Gospel.

Have you always wanted to be a musician? 

Well I started singing at the age of 7, back in CGM. I was promoted to the adult Choir because my teachers thought my voice was too good for just the children church, so I was in the main Choir at the age of 7. I actually started music again around 2001 after my High School. I always wanted to be a pilot, lol… My passion for music has increased so much in the last few years.

What do you call your genre, because you sound more like a reggae artiste? 

Well I’m a versatile musician, thank God for gospel music… It allows me the privilege to delve in to many genres of music. This is the order,  Hiphop, ragga, reggae, R n B, Afro & Rock.

Who is/are your major influence(s) in music? 

Well I’ll always go with Papa San and Kirk Franklin. The latter because he revolutionized gospel music.  In Nigeria Mbomboyo, cos he made me love reggae music.

You started in Nigeria, before moving overseas. I want you compare and contrast from your experience and perspective. 

Well Nigeria has one of the fastest growing music industry in Africa and we are gradually permeating the western world with our style of music, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. I feel the government in Nigeria is not fully involved in the music industry. You look at America for example they have the RIAA in which the Government is fully involved in and that has helped the growth of American music, we don’t have that in Nigeria. I thought I knew a lot until I came here and found out I still had a lot to learn. First of all I had to recreate my style to suit the music terrain here and re-launched myself, making sure that I did not lose my Nigerian sound. I’ve had to struggle less over here compared to when I was in Nigeria, cause they are facilities everywhere… The people here need the gospel, which has helped motivate me to take the gospel to them.

Any plans to come home?

Yeahhhh, home will always be home. Even though I have a big announcement to make about my next move soon, it maybe Nigeria, Scotland or America, still waiting for a confirmation from God.

You seem to hold down a regular job. How do you toggle between your job and your music career?

Big Question Alvin, it’s been crazy having to carry both of them… It’s God’s grace, cos there’s been times I feel like I’m going to breakdown, but God keeps strengthening me. Part of my next big move maybe I’ll be going in to Gospel music fulltime, cos Gospel music needs dedication and attention.

What has been your best music career moment?

Well I’ve had some Epic moments like the night I won the Scottish Music Awards and the night I found out that I was nominated for the MOBO Awards. Then every time I have the opportunity to sing before God’s people, I treasure them so much.

Your worst moments:

 Worst moment, thinking… I’ve never had any to be honest. Cos I sing Gospel music and I know for a fact that there’s always a blessing in there for someone, no matter how I feel about my performance.

What has been your most successful song and why?

My most successful song hmmmm, all of them… but I think “Jehovah” is up there, it received so many positive reviews. Then to me my best song  is “That Man from Galilee” it ministers to me personally everytime I listen to it.

Do you feel famous already?

Well we are all shinning lights, so it’s always good to look good and for some of us we like to be unique.

I’m sure you smile to the bank a lot.

Yes sir, they are good and changeling days too, lol. God has been faithful! I’ve never lacked.

What’s your best color?

Red, white and blue

What’s your grooming secret? i.e. Skin/body care etc. Yes men do that too.

 Hahahaha Alvin… Hmmm my cream is Cocoa Radiant, cheap and affordable. For my hair Softsheen Carson. Loool

Your perfumes?

I like 1 million absolutely Gold and my new love is Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford

Who is your best designer?

My best designer, hmmm I’ll say Jeremy Scott cos he inspires me and his styles are so funky. He inspires me to create too

Do you see yourself as fashionable or simply stylish?

I’m just unique

Your style Icon?

I don’t have any in style Icon in particular.

What are your fears?

Failure

Tell us that part of you that people do not know.

Well I’m always fidgeting before I go on stage and also very nervous. I’m also a very shy guy, but I never let it show.

What do we expect from El Mafrex and where should we hope to see you 5 years from now?

Well in the next 5 years making more great and inspiring Gospel music and affecting lives positively.

Is El Mafrex single , booked or taken?

Well I’m not single and the big announcement is coming soon.

Your final word for the industry:

With persistency and consistency we can always achieve what we set our hearts to do. Love God and love people.

Thanks for your time, I wish you all the best!

*El Mafrex will respond to any further questions asked via the comment field* 

Tips for Tweeting More Effectively: The Ultimate Guide

Using Twitter effectively doesn’t have to be a matter of chance. From the way you set up your account, to how you share content, to how you create original content of your own in 140 characters or less, there are super easy steps you can take today to improve the effectiveness of your Tweets! Ready to learn how?

Tweet More Effectively: The Ultimate Guide:

1. Make sure you upload a profile picture – an egghead picture doesn’t tend to encourage people to follow you. 
2. Put some thought into optimizing your bio with keywords. If you’re not sure how to do this, find a good SEO copywriter to help you out. 
3. Add your website address (aka your URL) to your profile. This is valuable real-estate for bringing traffic to your website! Most people won’t go into your whole profile where your website might be posted so make it easy for them to click through. 
4. Have your background professional branded. If you’re not skilled with computer graphics, pay someone to do this for you. It likely costs less than you think to have this done, and the payback from having a professional looking website is well worth the investment. 
5. Check your settings to make sure you receive email when you receive a direct message. Many times they’re obviously spam and automated (though there is a way to use the automated DM function in a value-added way). But if someone real wants real information about your business, you’ll want to get back to them quickly. 
6. Twitter chats are a great way to meet new people! 
7. Use #hashtags in your profile and tweets – but use them sparingly. 1 or 2 is all you want to use, otherwise, it just looks commercial and spammy. 
8. Keep your tweets to 120 characters – this makes it possible for people to retweet you and to add a comment as well. 
9. When you RT someone, try to add a comment in order to add value to your mention of their tweet. 
10. Interact with people directly. 
11. Seek out and answer questions that people asked related to your niche. This increases your value as a leader in your field. 
12. Thank people for retweeting you and ask a question to get a conversation started. People love to be acknowledged, and you’ll stand out for your courtesy (just sayin’!) 
13. Make sure you tweet original content that has value – don’t just have a stream of RT’s of other people. If someone wants to promote you, that makes it quite difficult to do so. 

1. Use an automated program wisely – it can extend your reach when you’re working on your business. 
2. Take 5-10 minutes several times a day to interact on Twitter in real time. 
3. Include some moments from your real life in between your business related tweets. People love to get to know the real you. 
4. Spread out your tweets – don’t send them all at once. This ensures that people in a variety of time zones will see your content at various times, and it also helps you seem more real and less spammy. 
5. Learn when to tweet for maximum effectiveness. Look at your account and see when you receive the most engagement with your posts. Don’t make assumptions- really look at the numbers! 
6. Don’t just send links to your own site. I know – Twitter is a great way to drive traffic to your site, and you should use it do to so. But it’s not the only way you should be using it. 
7. If you are using a Twitter meme like #FF (Friday Follow), don’t just add a bunch of names to it. Really – I don’t know that anyone actually follows people based on that! Include one name per tweet and include a reason people would want to follow that user. 
8. Add a Tweet button to your website (and on each of your posts) to make it easy for people to share your content. 
9. Add a button to follow you on Twitter to your website as well. 
10. Include a Twitter box on your website that displays your recent Tweets or what people are saying about you on Twitter. 
11. Include a link to your Twitter profile at the end of your e-mail signature. 
12. Go through your Twitter followers regularly (I use ManageFlitter) and stop following people who haven’t Tweeted in over a month. They’ll add nothing to your Twitter experience and can clog up your account, blocking you from following additional people down the road. 
13. Use Twitter lists and an application like Hoot Suite to keep your Twitter activity organized and easier for you to follow. 
14. Provide amazing value in your tweets all of the time! Generally you should be engaging with your users around 80-90% of the time and promoting yourself no more than 10-20% of the time.