Introducing Medium – Where Above Average Content is the New Social Media Norm!
In an odd turn of events, the same people responsible for the world’s briefest social media content (Twitter) are now moving to build an entirely new social media experience based upon quality content. Yes, you read that right. Twitter founders Williams and Stone have officially launched a new social media website named “Medium”. Medium is unlike any other existing social media site currently in existence although somewhat loosely reflecting the same commitment to quality content as currently manifest by Google. Unlike Google, Medium will use social not as the primary purpose but rather as an integrated norm. The primary purpose will be to design and implement a new publishing paradigm – one built with social in mind from the ground floor up but distinctly different. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Medium – where above average content is the new social norm!
Obviously Inspiring!
Medium is currently in the Beta stage. In fact, when visiting the site, one will quickly notice the lack of splash, social media or much of anything else. To date, there is a simple text explanation with an interest form as well as a few basic examples. Certainly very little to get overly excited about. The basic philosophy as well as backers are provided including the origination of Medium by “The Obvious Corporation”. Who is The Obvious Corporation? Admittedly, even as a major nationwide social media management firm, this name wasn’t exactly at the top of our networking list. Just goes to show that everyone can learn something new on a daily basis! According to their own website, The Obvious Corporation is nothing if not obviously inspiring! In their terms the entire corporation is “more of a philosophy than a company or product”. It’s an interesting perspective reflective of how Zuckerberg seemed to think of Facebook…at least pre-IPO. The primary product of The Obvious Corporation is “Medium” although other spin-off’s include insightful organizations such as “Karma, Branch, Lift, Beyond and “Neighborhood”. Ohh…if you are like most social media managers or small business entrepreneurs, your head is probably spinning with curiosity!
The Medium IS the Message
The publishing industry has undergone extensive changes in recent years yet one age old adage remains the same…”the medium is the message”. That may apply even more to the digital age especially as it pertains to social media. Once considered merely a way to stay up to date with friends and family, social media marketing quickly grew into a major marketing method. Yet the full potential of social media has yet to be unleashed. Even the most basic glance at what constitutes the majority of social media sharing demonstrates a vast wasteland of superficial ideas, eye-candy photos and very very little meaningful content. However, all that is likely to change. Google+ has already started a strong push toward more extensive and insightful content for both social sites as well as search. Facebook and now Twitter are also getting in on the act.
Second Generation Social – What Makes Medium Different
So, what will make Medium different? First of all, like Google+, it is being designed from the ground up to cultivate an entirely different user experience from that of Facebook or even Twitter. Unlike older, first generation social media sites, second generation social media will focus upon quality rather than just quantity. Users (currently limited to beta users) will be able to contribute as much – or as little- to the site as desired without being a blogger or even having to acquire a major audience. Instead, users will be able to create or add to a “theme” or “collection” of ideas each with their own easy to use/publish template. Good design made super simple is the rule of thumb; without forcing users to worry about technical considerations, they will be better able to focus upon content. However, don’t suppose for a moment that it will all look the same. In fact, Medium is taking great pains to create a highly distinctive look and feel for each different them or collection actually adding much greater diversity to the look and feel currently associated with any single social media site to date.
Other Areas in the Works
Earlier in the article we mentioned other areas in the works including “Lifting Up”, a mobile application designed to help improve decision-making and goal outcomes via blend of psychology, technology and social productivity tools as well as Branching Out, yet another tool in the works. Designed to democratize information, Branch hopes to integrate public discourse and new methods of working on big ideas for both publishers as well as opinion leaders and even inventors. Rather than talking “AT” readers, Branch encourages open discourse “with” readers. Coined a “marketplace for your ideas” branch is a natural choice for those seeking new insight into ideas or perhaps even some constructive criticism.
Things to Come
Clearly the future of social is moving away from superficial treatment of ideas and applications while moving toward a more integrated, invested approach to quality content, innovation and democratization of ideas. It will be exciting to see how social media management firms continue to anticipate the needs of individuals and small business owners in this rapidly emerging method of conducting business. One thing is certain, social media is no longer limited to just marketing but instead, represents a new way of communicating at all levels of business.
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