Social Media A Surprising "Nay" For Apple Inc.

So imagine my amazement when I Googled "social media and apple," seeing article after article about Apple being against social media. Dave Fleet, a communications blogger wrote,

"Despite being the one company that, more than any other, raised awareness of podcasting and gave the music industry a kick up the ass with iTunes, Apple is dismissive of social software."

He goes on to further explain how employees are discouraged from blogging and that many anti-Apple forums have been taken down by the company.

According to another story Apple even sued a blogger that was tracking Apple news claiming she was "leaking trade secrets." Hmm....one has got to wonder, right?

So all Apple-being-anti-social-media aside, why is Apple more successful then ever in a time when social media has such a large influence on a companies "rep?"

Here...I'll give you some time to think.

Okay, fine. Like any other celebrity, Apple's popularity is all thanks to its FANS! Yes, yes, it is true. We are all to thank for Apple's success. Well, that and all of its incredible products that yours truely "oh so loves."

And now for your vieweing pleasure, I like to call this one "Stick to the script, or else there will be PR hell to pay."










Hold it! If you have been reading this blog as religiously as I assume you are, then of course you know how much of a Apple lover I am. Therefore, (although it took a bit of digging) I did find some good news about Apple using social media.





1. They have numerous forums about all of their products. However, rather than being targeted towards potential customers, these forums focus on individuals who have already purchased a product and their after-thoughts of them.





2. Apple and Facebook. Yes, Apple has "fallen victim" to the addicting world of Facebook as well. With a group of over 1,400,000 people, Apple offers special incentives to these members. The downside? Many people who have seen this blog do not consider it a form of two-way communication, but rather another attempt by a Fortune 500 company to market itself to another group of people. (Boo, Apple, you're breaking a girls heart over here!)

One of my favorite blogs written about Apple and its apathetic approach to social media is by the Silicon Valley Watcher.

So the moral of the story:

1. Although Apple does have some ties to social media, it is no where near enough for a company of such grandeur.

2. Because Apple exploded the world of music downloading and iPods and popularized podcasts, they more than any other company should be ahead of the "social media" game.

3. Apple can only depend on a loyal fan base for so long. Take some advice from Beyonce, becomes an I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T WOMAN ALREADY!

"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why" Bernard M. Baruch