What Do Betty White and Lady Gaga Have To Do With My Business?

Ryan Faria - May 25, 2010

It’s almost hard to imagine a world without social media networks like YouTube and Facebook.  Many utilize these types of sites on a daily basis, but how are these outlets changing the world?

A short time ago, after the enormous success of her Superbowl commercial, fans of Betty White created a grassroots campaign on Facebook to have the 88 ½ year old Emmy Award-winning actress host NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL).  The initiative was so widely popular that not only did NBC take notice and book White to host SNL, but it was the first time in the show’s history that social media helped influence the selection of a host. 

Recent, a video emerged on YouTube of 12 year old Greyson Michael Chance playing piano and singing Lady Gaga’s ‘Paparazzi.’  The video was viewed over 18,000,000 times, and was also featured on many national news programs including ABC’s World News with Diane Sawyer.  Ironically, Interscope Records, the same record label as Lady Gaga, saw Chance and offered the seventh grader a recording contract.

So you may be asking yourself, ‘what does all this have to do with my business?’  Since social media is putting more power in the hands (or fingertips) of the public, now is the time to use the suggestions, ideas and opinions of your customers to improve business.  White and Chance are prime examples that popular demand cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to social media.  Identifying trends within your social media channel can help you stay ahead of the competition.  Who knows, maybe your business will discover the next Greyson Michael Chance of your industry.