Social Media Bandwagon Stops

Day 348/365 "I Caught You!"

Originally uploaded by Wellstone

I like Twitter and social media in general. I like blogging and reading other blogs more enjoyable than mine as well. However, (you knew there was a “but” coming) one constant trend irritates me from time to time. The social media and blogging landscape is full of what I call bandwagon stops.

Bandwagon stops are like bus stops, only they’re bandwagon stops, so typically everyone jumps on when the bandwagon comes along. Oh and yes, almost everyone climbs aboard the bandwagon. Consider the couple of years I’ve been active on Twitter. For better or worse, these are some of the bandwagons I’ve seen nearly everyone (sometimes including myself) climb aboard.

• Bandwagon Stop #1: “Twitter is going to revolutionize the way business is conducted!”
• Bandwagon Stop #2: “Here’s how you should use Twitter…”
• Bandwagon Stop #3: “The only rule of Twitter is there are no rules.”
• Bandwagon Stop #4: “It doesn’t matter how many followers you have.”
• Bandwagon Stop# 5: “Boo Oprah and Ashton Kutcher!”
• Bandwagon Stop #6: “You have to be transparent.”
• Bandwagon Stop #7: “You have to earn social currency!”
• Bandwagon Stop #8: “Justin Bieber!”
• Bandwagon Stop #9: “When it comes to social media, it’s all about your influence.”
• Bandwagon Stop #10: What’s next?

So what’s my point?

Here’s the deal. You and I would do well to pass on a few bandwagon stops from time to time. Even when it comes to our offline lives for that matter.

In the early 1990′s I really wanted a GUESS t-shirt. All the cool kids had them and since I thought I was cool, I needed one too. I use the word “needed” loosely. Since I was a teenager without a job, I didn’t have much money, so I would ask my parents to buy one for me occasionally. They never would. Most of the time the answer involved something about them being “overpriced” and “you don’t have to wear what everyone else is wearing.” I didn’t get it then. I get it now. It was a bandwagon stop. I was there and I wanted on that bandwagon, but it was a pretty pointless bandwagon to jump on.

The next time a bandwagon stop is in view, think a little before climbing aboard the bandwagon. Sometimes it’s best just to let it pass, but sometimes it could be good not to follow everyone and instead offer some alternatives. Try to find something that needs to be said or in the very least provides a different take on the current bandwagon stops. Maybe your ideas will make more sense and be more beneficial to everyone in the long run.

We could all use a break from Bieber Fever anyway.