Let Your Rock Stars Sing Your Praises on Social Media

I recently moved into a new apartment and experienced one of the most tedious processes — changing over all the utilities. Thinking in terms of practicality, I left switching over my cable for last.

The full impact of this decision hit me Sunday night, a week into my new living arrangement, when I realized I would be unable to watch my favorite show, “True Blood,” on HBO.

Now, this might sound like a trivial problem, but as an avid Sookie Stackhouse fan, it was a matter of great importance to me. So how does all this irrelevant information tie back to social media? Turns out, social media ended up being the solution to all my problems — well, in terms of “True Blood,” that is.

I decided there must be, somewhere out there in cyberspace, a Web site that was streaming the television series. I pride myself on being able to find pretty much anything online, so I was frustrated when I came up empty. I'm a determined gal, so I decided to turn to another search engine: my Facebook account.

But Facebook isn't a search engine! Oh, but it is! Just not in the conventional "Google it" kind of way. I was searching for a recommendation from people I trusted. I went to my Facebook account and typed into my status "No HBO means no 'True Blood' tonight. Anyone know where I can find the show online for free?"

In less than five minutes I had six different friends leave updates to my status with links that carried the show online for free. I didn't have to register my e-mail or sign up for spam e-mail for a year, download a virus-ridden video player, or pay $9.95. It was fantastic.

Once I finished watching my episodes and my world fell nicely back into balance, I began to mull over the idea of social-media status feeds being the next big thing in terms of search-engine marketing. What makes more sense? Going to Google to find something or soliciting the help of a group of your family and friends who know you and will give you the consumer point of view?