5 minute read
PANDEMIC LOVE
OUR GROWING AFFAIR WITH SOCIAL MEDIA
BY TABOR LEWIS
Social media has seen rapid growth during the COVID pandemic with no sign of retreating. A majority of us spend our lives literally face down so much that we have developed terms for the poor ergonomics that technology has bestowed upon us. With our nose in our phones rather than in a book, many could squawk that the constant distraction of social media is no way to live. I would challenge those squawkers today.
This year has pushed all of us to become so close to technology, we are no longer in a relationship with Facebook and dating Instagram on the side. We are married to them all. Living our lives shut in from the outside world since March, I expect your days have been similar to mine these past several months.
Wake up, check Facebook, see puppies, go to TikTok, smile, check IG then back to Facebook and emails before I get in on the political banter on Twitter and end with a workout video on Instagram to get me motivated for the day. This is all before my feet hit the floor. All before I greet my partner with a good morning kiss. Social media is now my primary relationship. However, I’m not cheating because my boyfriend understands our new relationship dichotomy as he is also newly married to social media.
We have been through burgeoning radical changes that felt like they were getting worse by the minute. If you weren’t tuned into your phone, you were the last to know vital information. At a time when essential products were rationed and services were scarce, how could you look away?
Social media has been a multifaceted resource for us, providing information and distraction. The place we go to for the dreadful news of new life regulations and social injustices is also the comforting place that we finger scroll for hours as our blue lit eyes widen to see grandmas dancing and Tiger King memes.
SOCIAL MEDIA CONSUMPTION CHANGES
If you feel that your scroll sessions have been the same pre-pandy, then you likely are not accounted for here. The Harris Poll recently found that between 46% and 51% of U.S. adults were using social media more since the outbreak began. Many of these new users are the ages of your average community board member.
As older adults have been encouraged by the CDC to respect the stay-at-home order, they have been more likely to finally start that Facebook account to find the connectedness that COVID has robbed them from. Research indicates that whether it is a newfound love or a growing fondness, social media numbers have increased, and people are not interested in reducing their screen time anytime soon.
What does that mean for community managers? Now is the time to strike. If you have those few residents who in the past were not interested in notifications or communication via email, safely check in with them now. It is likely their thoughts on technology have changed and they have been in practice for the last few months. This doesn’t mean it’s their preferred way of communication, but Board President Barbara found her new groove.
I spoke with Senior Community Manager Kylie Decker from Powerstone about how technology has affected her resident and board communication.
“Now that people aren’t meeting in person, we are reliant on video call services like Zoom and GoTo Meetings,” she said. “Many board members and residents are enjoying these platforms and want to continue using them.”
A new love connection or not, as a society our relationship with social media is expected to stay strong. Perhaps as an industry this will help us grow closer to our business partners and the communities we serve.
Q&A with Kylie Decker, CCAM, Senior Community Manager, Powerstone
Have you noticed any social media changes in the HOA industry during the pandemic?
Decker: I have noticed that many management companies and industry organizations are posting more often about events and continuing education opportunities. It’s been a great source to keep tabs on what is going on and keeping the people of our industry connected.
Kylie Decker, CCAM, Senior Community Manager, Powerstone
What technology trends are affecting our industry due to the pandemic?
Decker: Now that people aren’t meeting in person we are reliant on video call services like Zoom and GoTo Meeting. Many board members and residents are enjoying these platforms and want to continue using them. Although I prefer the in person board meetings, I understand that it’s more convenient for many people who maybe couldn’t make it to the meetings prepandemic to hop on a call.
How far away do you think we are from having social media platforms that would cater to community interaction and help encourage Millennial and Gen Z activity in their communities and boards?
Decker: We are definitely not far off! There are management companies currently working on ways to get people involved, and it would be great for HOAs to get some sort of platform to communicate important information efficiently. However, like all social media interaction, there will be pros and cons to online communication. Nextdoor is a good example of a community information exchange platform and Ring, the doorbell camera service, is also launching a social media network to increase neighborhood safety.
What do you think about the spread of information over the past few months as far as validity? Do you consider it news or do you take it with a grain of salt?
Decker: The validity of information we are receiving depends on where we are sourcing it from. The information that our industry partners are posting on their pages is factual and focused on helping homeowners stay up to date on changing regulations to stay safe during this time.
Tabor Lewis is an account executive in San Diego for EmpireWorks Reconstruction and Painting.
