Susan Boyle and the Power of Social Media

April 19, 2009 · Filed Under Social Media · Comment 

The world was stunned this week by Susan Boyle, the dusty old miracle voice from Scotland.  Yes, her voice was incredible.  Yes, the audience and judges were rude to her.  The judges probably had more reason to be because it is sort of their show.  The audience was following mob mentality.

The fascinating thing here is not Susan’s bushing eyebrows or nice voice or peoples inherent rudeness these days.  The really fascinating thing is the speed at which here fame and demand exploded.

A few years ago a hot new talent ot emerge on a British talent show may have gained world attention after a few weeks or months or maybe years.  When I first became aware of Charlotte Church she was maybe 14.  That was several years after her big ‘debut’.  When Susan Boyle hit the stage, Susan Boyle also hit Youtube and the social networks.  It’s now been a week since her performance and the video on Youtube now has over 31 million views.  Thats one version of it.  There are others on you tube.  That’s 31 million views in a week.  That’s what you call VIRAL.

Gary Vaynerchuk put it best in the keynote address at Affiliate Summit West in Vegas back in January, when he said the gate keepers of media have now been removed. There doesn’t have to be some high and mighty person across the desk who decides if your stuff is good enough for the world to want.  Now can put your own stuff out there and let the world decide it it is what it wants.

The world is wanting more of Susan Boyle.  Yes, her demand may be short lived, as some predict, but she will undoubtedly retain a cult following for many, many years to come.  It’s the power of Social Media.  The world decides what it wants and what it is willing to pay for.

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