By Abida Meerasa | July 5, 2017
Social media is connecting the world with exceptional results. Platforms like Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter allow us to keep in touch with friends and family across continents, meet new people, find jobs and instantly share our daily interests. This has allowed people to create a personal brand, and turn passions into business opportunities.
Many notable musicians and singers, such as Justin Bieber, 5 Seconds of Summer, Alessia Cara and the late Christina Grimmie first started their careers on YouTube. Regular home videos led to popularity or went viral, and the budding artists were eventually signed by recording studios.
Aside from famous faces, many regular people have been able to create a following. As early as 2007, YouTubers like Michelle Phan, Zoella, and Bethany Mota, began teaching girls how to apply makeup for various occasions. What began as a simple hobby has in many cases manifested into a full-time career. Some beauty gurus have even developed their own makeup lines, such as Michelle Phan’s Em Cosmetics and a UK based beauty guru, Zukreat’s, Artist of Makeup.
Social media has created a platform to showcase popular art forms or hobbies, but it has also introduced the world to less common art forms. In many ways, it is allowing us to create unity across cultures.
Canadian henna artist, Divya Patel, from the Instagram account hennabydivya, has gained worldwide popularity through her social media. Henna, derived from a plant, is a natural, non-toxic temporary tattoo that originates from the Middle East and Asia, used for adornment during holidays and weddings. Divya from a young age taught herself the intricacies of the art. Today, her work is demanded across countries, such as the US, UK, Dubai, and India.
Not only has social media allowed people like Divya to share their interests, but it also introduces people to ideas and art forms that they were unaware of. Recently, a student at the University of Waterloo started henna workshops after stumbling upon pictures on Instagram. Intrigued by the beauty, she bought henna cones from her local Indian store and began practicing. To keep herself motivated, to continue improving her techniques, and to introduce henna to others, she decided to share the art on campus. Each term, students come together to share their passion for henna art, and many students discovered it for the first time.
rBux is increasing the diversity of content available on social platforms. On rBux, users can easily share their favourite products, interests and online stores. Often, while browsing the internet, we discover a product or online store that we would like to share with our friends. However, it is often forgotten, or when the opportunity arises, the names cannot be recalled. By simply suggesting and referring the products on rBux, regular, everyday people can avoid missing these opportunities by instantly sharing them with friends.
