Anyone who sees the news knows... we are in a really rough patch in the world economy. And there are various reasons that have contributed to it, and we may be about to witness currency collapses, and that may, in the long run, be a good thing so that we can rebuild.
I have my own very strong opinions on how the world got into this mess, mostly to do with credit and living beyond our means, bloated government, and a worldwide move away from liberty and the free market, but that is not what this post is about. This post is about hope. With all the negativity out there, growth is still possible, and social media at the root of it.
Social Media Fuels Startups
Startups are one of the biggest job creators around right now. Young people, getting together in an attic or a basement somewhere, coming up with a really clever idea and bringing it to market on a shoestring budget, and, inevitably, creating jobs. The days of people graduating from college and joining a big corporation are numbered, as many of these big companies are feeling the economic hit. We've entered the age of : You want a job? Create one.
Social Media Fuels Growth
When you're on a shoestring budget, there's really no better way to get your message viral than utilizing the power of social media. Many solutions are completely free, or, for a little more power, still relatively inexpensive. The days of needing a giant PR company behind you to get a concept into the public view is no more. (That's not to say PR companies don't have their place after some traction is achieved, they do.)
Social Media Fuels Communication
Back when we started MarketMeSuite social media wasn't even close to where it is now, but gchat was coming into its own. If it wasn't for the easy communication of gchat and facebook, I wouldn't have ever forged the relationship I did with my now co-founder and may have never got the startup off the ground. I recently spoke with another startup founder, Dan @Twitsprout, and he said that he found one of his key team members by searching through his Facebook friends and friends of friends.
Key Take-Away
We are in a bit of an economic black hole right now. That's undeniable, but we also live in a time where there is a lot of hope. Barriers to entry have been lowered, new technology means a new chance for innovation, and social media is at the heart of it all. It may be a little bleak out there, but there is hope.
Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28096801@N05/3525799414