Useful Social Media Tools

The first social media tool that captured d my attention was Google Trends. I have used Google just about every day searching for things I am curious about or merely looking for answers to everyday problems.  This is why I selected Google Trends, “Google Trends is a website by Google that analyzes the popularity of top search queries in Google Search across various regions and languages. The website uses graphs to compare the search volume of different queries over time.” Why is this important for an upcoming graduate or even a finance major like myself?

I believe by studying trends and being informed on trends we can better market ourselves and have the ability to understand the direction social media is headed. It essentially allows you to look into the minds of millions of people and further understand their interests. By following their searches, you can better market yourself and find ways to appeal to customers and the masses through social media. Google Trends offers several filters and search options, location, timeframe, category and search type. Utilizing location allows users to explore from city to global level, the information held within Google Trends which dates back to 2004. Overall, I believe Google Trends is an excellent way to become informed on trends and relate to trends; allowing you to stay ahead of the curve.

The second social media tool I chose was Reddit. Many of us already know what Reddit is but for those who don't it can quickly be described as the “front page of the internet.” Reddit is a discussion website, offering news and content ratings. I feel that many of the public social media sites and sharing platforms are plagued by “trolls” and spam responses. Although you do not have to search far on Reddit to find these responses and hassle, there are portions of Reddit that are moderated and unite professional interactions. As a college graduate I am able to search Reddit and find others that are similar to myself entering the workplace that share their struggles and triumphs. Although I am mostly lurking through posts, I can learn from others who have experienced what I am currently experiencing while searching for a job. This is one example of how I use Reddit to assist me with the obstacles I am faced with. This is just one facet of how Reddit can be used. According to Google, there are 1.2 million Subreddits, displaying a vast amount of information and experience on one website. Overall, I believe Reddit is undervalued, and we have not even scratched the surface of its usefulness and its ability to connect us on a professional and educational level.