In February 2008 Nielsen Online revealed that most New Zealand Internet users are generating web content. (Source: 02/26/2008 Consumer Generated Media: Evolution or Revolution?. )
We like photos, videos, music, blogs
In plain English: we share photos, links and videos, through websites such as Flickr, YouTube, MySpace. We read and write blogs and wikis. We download and stream audio and video content. We like photos, movies, music, and probably podcasts. We edit and comment; we upload.
The report also found that once people are comfortable online, they then often become more involved — they actively edit and comment on content from others and upload video and music to the web.
It’s a revolution in relationships
“We are seeing a revolution in the way in which consumers here in the Pacific and around the world are interacting, communicating, creating and nurturing personal and professional relationships, expressing and publishing their opinions and thoughts, creating and distributing content for and to one another, and entertaining themselves,” says Melanie Ingrey, Market Research Director, Asia Pacific, Nielsen Online.
Nielsen Online found that people tend to take up these activities if their friends and peers are doing them. They join services (such as Bebo) if their friends recommend them.
Problems facing us here in New Zealand are lack of time, slow Internet connections and concerns about security.
Kiwis want to reconnect
A further report tells us that 62% of online New Zealanders have browsed other people’s online profiles within the past 12 months, and 49% have actively updated their own online profile. (Source: 02/12/2008 New Zealand Surfers Ride Social Networking Boom.)
Old Friends, Bebo and MySpace
Their profiles are on Old Friends, Bebo and MySpace. Kiwis want to reconnect with people from the past such as former colleagues and old schoolmates.
” … different social networking platforms cater to varying online identity desires,” notes Melanie Ingrey, Market Research Director, Asia Pacific, Nielsen Online. “Sites such as MySpace essentially promote a fantasised identity where relationships are based on common network interests while Facebook is grounded in real identity and online connections are simply an extension of real friendships. Then you have sites such as LinkedIn which promote social networking for business and career advancement purposes.”
What are you doing?
So, that’s what Kiwis are doing this year. What’s your organisation doing in response?
Do you have a blog where visitors can comment on what you’re doing? Bloggers can also track your activities and write about you on their own blogs.
Do you share photos and videos from your events, using services such as Flickr and YouTube? If you do, then visitors will spread the word about your organisation when they tell others about your content.
Do you recruit volunteers by means of a MySpace or Bebo profile?
Kiwis want to participate. Do you know how to Engage your Community?
Written for and reproduced from CommunityNet Aotearoa Panui, March 2008.
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is jointly authored by Miraz Jordan and Maria Langer.