Social media vs. tangible Items: 7 important marketing insights

Social Media

Social media is ephemeral, which means is it short-lived. Posts can be deleted or archived, and they may not be accessible after a certain period of time.

Content is often transient in nature, with posts, updates, and messages having a limited lifespan. Furthermore, posts, tweets, or stories can quickly get buried in the ever-flowing stream of information, making them short-lived unless they go viral or gain significant attention

Tangible Items

Unlike social media, tangible items have the potential for longevity and endurance. Tangible items have a much longer lifecycle and a physical object can be kept for years, or even decades, becoming tangible memories or keepsakes.

Social Media

Social media platforms enable easy and instant communication across distances, fostering global connections and breaking down barriers. It can create a desire for acquiring new products and experiences based on the constant exposure to the lifestyles of others. It is designed so that people can connect with each other on a global scale.

This means that social media facilitates the sharing information, project collaborations and the building of virtual relationships. However, it can also lead to superficial relationships and reduced face-to-face interactions.

Tangible Items

Tangible items can be used by individuals, but they are not inherently social. Tangible items, however, often carry sentimental value and emotional connections. Physical gifts, handwritten letters, and personal mementos can evoke strong emotions and memories associated with the giver or a particular moment in time.

Physical objects can be preserved for years, passed down through generations, and retain their value or significance over time. They have the ability to evoke memories and nostalgia, creating lasting connections and emotional bonds.

Tangible items can facilitate social interaction when they are shared or gifted in person. They can act as conversation starters or strengthen bonds between individuals.

Social Media

One of the significant advantages of social media is its ability to facilitate rapid and widespread communication. It allows people to connect with others irrespective of geographical boundaries, fostering social connections, and enabling the exchange of ideas, information, and emotions.

Tangible Items

While tangible items may not directly promote communication or connectivity, they can serve as catalysts for social interactions. For example, items like souvenirs, art, or fashion pieces can spark conversations, convey personal preferences, and serve as a means of self-expression and identity.

Social Media

Social media platforms have become influential marketing tools, promoting consumerism and materialistic tendencies. They can create a desire for acquiring new products and experiences based on the constant exposure to the lifestyles of others.

Tangible Items

The possession of tangible items can contribute to materialism and consumerism. People often seek fulfillment through material possessions. It is important, however, to consider that this can lead to overconsumption and environmental concerns.

Social Media

While social media is digital, it is not without environmental consequences. Data centers and the energy required to power the internet contribute to carbon emissions and environmental impact. The widespread use of social media platforms contributes to significant energy consumption in data centers, as well as electronic waste from discarded devices.

Tangible Items

The production and consumption of tangible items necessitate the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing processes, packaging, and transportation, all of which can have substantial environmental impacts. However, conscious consumption practices, recycling, and sustainable production methods can mitigate these effects.

Social Media

Social media is data-driven. When you use social media, you are generating data about your activities, your interests, and your relationships. This data can be used by businesses to target you with advertising, and it can also be used by researchers to study human behavior.

Tangible Items

Tangible items do not typically generate data in the same way that social media does. Synergem offers Technologies such as NFC and Web Keys that can be combined with Quick Connect® Analytics to gather measurable data on tangible products.