What's the Link Between Social Media and Children's Collectibles?

My children were not only born almost two decades apart, but in different centuries. Being a mom over such a time span, I think I've seen every kid's collectible trend. However it's still fun when yet another trend bounces onto the scene. I've survived comic book hero trading cards, Pogs (aka milk caps), and Webkins®. This year the trend is bracelets, rubber bands in a myriad of unusual shapes and colors.

All these childhood fads wouldn't have become the hottest trends if they were merely trinkets. Trinkets get stored on a shelf or in a drawer. Trinkets don't illicit conversation (mostly because out of sight, out of mind). Trinkets sit quietly or spread by word of mouth and they don't catch on by enthralled children recommending them to each other.

Seeing what's "social" in these children's collectible trends reveals insight into the buzz about Social Media. From Pogs to bracelets, they involve an exchange. Yes, trading is what makes these collectibles so darned social. For trading cards (see, it's right there in the name) the game is to collect the whole set.

With Social media, this same behavior is called "sharing" which stimulates conversation, encourages relationships, and spreads the word. If you aren't participating in the sharing, you're missing out on what makes Social Media so very social. Sharing is when you interact and participate on line. For example, you can share blog articles and web links with your contacts on networking accounts such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. You can give the gift of feedback by recommending businesses on Linked, Merchant Circle, Yahoo, Yelp and other similar websites. Sharing means you support ideas and businesses you value, as well as promoting your own ventures and both make you more visible.

Start using social media today, even if you don't have your own Social Media accounts. Start by posting a comment on a blog! It's easy and you can increase your participation in Social Media-- Here are 5 extra sharp ideas to help you share and stay top-of-mind through Social Media:

1) Bookmark a blog article or a web page on Digg.com
2) Share a video on Facebook
3) Comment on a YouTube video
4) ReTweet a follower's tweet
5) Recommend someone on LinkedIn

Remember, the fun of trading and sharing? Let's take a lesson out the children's playbook and start sharing.

Vanessa Wood believes "All the world's the web!" There's room on the internet for your venture to be the next Internet phenom. Vanessa has years of corporate and small business experience that she brings to clients' web and blog design. She is the owner of Design to Spec LLC. Vanessa is an avid blogger on social media topics and best practices for the web.