It is important to keep in mind that “social media is not about technology, it is about relationships”. Social media has changed the way we communicate. Building and maintaining relationships has become as simple as checking e-mail or surfing the web. With one click of a button one person can be connected with hundreds of thousands of people. In a YouTube video based on Erik Qualman’s Socialnomics he presents shocking Facebook statistics. For example “if Facebook where a country it’d be the world’s 3rd largest” and “Facebook tops Google for weekly internet traffic in the US”. A PR professional would be crazy to ignore statistics like that. It is important for PR professionals to stay current on trends and use all available means of communication.
Being update with social media gives PR professionals a sense of control. Before social media it was more difficult for PR professionals to receive feedback and improve on imperfections. Now with social media PR professionals can monitor feedback and improve in the areas that are problematic to their business. In an article posted by Circus Strategic Communications on Public Relations they bring light to that fact by stating that “social media provides a better understanding of customers needs and wants which allows you to help meet their needs”. Everyone knows that giving the customer what they need in turn leads to more business. Who doesn’t want more business? No one that’s who.
Last but certainly not least social media has helped improve employee relations. Kyle Lacy stated in his article 5 Ways to Engage Employees that Facebook Groups can be a cost effective way to improve employee collaboration. Without positive employee relations it is near impossible for a business to succeed. Facebook isn’t going out of style any time soon so use it to your advantage! I know I am.
Alycia, I would agree that Social Media is more about relationships but technology is also involved. In order to maintain a reasonable relationship with consumers via Twitter, Facebook or You Tube an individual needs to understand how to work the specific accounts. Social Media has its advantages for PR professionals by doing what is best for their consumers.
ReplyDeleteAlycia, I can’t agree with you more when you quote “social media is not about technology, it is about relationships!” Public relations is about relationships, so obviously the two go hand in hand. Like you said, our blogs both highlight the importance of PR professionals engaging in the world of social media and continuing to stay updated. I also like that you mentioned that social media has the ability to improve employee relations; a company with employees that communicate often and effectively can allow them to be more successful. Public relations encompasses communication with all publics of the company/business, and that includes its employees.
ReplyDeleteYou put a great twist on a great blog. Couldn't agree more with everyone else. Sometimes, like myself, we get caught up in technology. You put in perspective that it's not all about that, but rather the relationships we keep through it.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you said, "Social media understands customers needs and wants, and allows paths to fulfill those needs." That is the number one goal of business. Businesses try and find out what the customer needs, and how they can satisfy them! Great Blog!
Alycia, awesome blog. It is so true how unbelievable the statistics were on the Youtube video were. It is insane to think the amount of members on Facebook would be the 3rd largest country. When I hear something like that I just think about all the other things people could be focusing their energies on. But it is also very true social media is a great way to keep in contact with people. It is very easy and efficient. But it is also scary to know that there is a social media that enables you to "tweet" everything that person may be doing. And I also agree that Facebook will not be going out of style any time soon.
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I really like how you said social media is about relationships and communication rather than technology, and that couldn't be more true! Its all about communicating with your audience and that is the key for PR professionals. That YouTube video is pretty amazing, and it is a statement on society. It is sadly true that we spend so much time on the internet but that is the way we are moving as a society and we need to embrace it. If we don't we won't be able to keep up with business.
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