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Google Plus: Bridging the Gap

Social media has grown exponentially in its relatively short existence, fashioning a culture of open dialogue that gives users and brands the ability to spread their message to the masses with little effort.

However, even with the massive leaps in social media, sharing emotion in real-time has been nearly impossible – that is until now.

Every day, more intimate exchanges of information are taking place through face to face interaction via group video chat, leading to a reduction of physical space and delighting social media users across the globe. This new interaction is no longer social media, it is Human Media.

How Does Human Media Work?

Human media provides people and businesses of all kinds the ability to connect with peers and customers on a closer, more intimate level. By using Google+ Hangouts, users can see their clients blink and breathe, instead of only hearing their voice.

With human media, celebrities can share a day in the life, a cookware company can host virtual cooking lessons and authors can create book clubs with members everywhere in the globe.

Perhaps most exciting, is the transparency that comes with this new layer of social media. Not only have private companies started using this, but government organizations have taken advantage of this format as well. I think we all are aware of the President’s State of the Union Hangout.

This technology is opening up unprecedented forums of communications between the general public and the heads of highly influential organizations that offers the ability of a regular citizen to engage in organizational or political discussion.

Opening New Doors

This new form of social media has taken leaps and bounds. Recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored a Hangout where representatives from the National Association of Realtors and Veterans United Home Loans – a VA Loan specialist – were able to come together and actively educate veterans and realtors on using their VA Loan benefits.

The Hangout featured several representatives from the NAR, Chris Birk – author of The Book on VA Loans – and, most importantly, Mike Frueh, the Director of the VA Home Loan Program.

Viewers outside of the ten people included in the hangout followed the conversation and posed questions to the experts. Together, Mike and Chris were able to answer several great questions on air from both participants and viewers alike.

This type of communication is incredibly new, but people are already starting to recognize its amazing benefits. With Human Media and Google+ Hangouts, normal people can bypass the red tape and ask questions directly of those in charge.

This marks the beginning of the Human Media Movement; however, this movement is gaining momentum before our eyes. Instead of having to rely on traditional face-to-face forums, like local symposiums or lectures, the internet-based platforms can be used by anyone, anywhere.

These conversations aren’t just for people who can make the time and get to wherever the talk is held; it’s for everyone. It’s for people in different cities, states or countries, and with everyone able to participate, broader world views and sharing are bound to happen.

Say goodbye to the culture of “likes” and hello to a culture of open dialogue that allows for publically debating issues, norms and beliefs right in front of your eyes.

Category Social Media
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Sarah Hill Veterans United

Sarah Hill is the Chief Storyteller for Veterans United Home Loans and the 38th most followed person on Google+. Join ...

Google Plus: Bridging the Gap

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