Management of Social Media

As we dive into the social media world, it can start to get a little overwhelming. For example, I have a Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, two blogs, Snapchat, Instagram and plenty of other platforms. On a daily basis, my notifications are through the roof. It is a lot to keep track of and it can get very confusing. Add in the responsibility of being a social media manager for a company, and you may as well glue your laptop to your hands. So how do people keep it all straight? And how do we make sure that our “updates” are appropriate for different platforms and situations?

Mashable.com gave out awards for the five social media management tools. You can look at them here:http://mashable.com/2010/10/21/social-media-management-tools/. The five tools listed here take all of your platforms and combine them into one place. Some of these sites focus on businesses and keeping things professional, while others are free and for your own personal use and sanity. I, personally, have not used any of these tools. But I think it is a lifesaving idea. To have all of your social media in one place and at the tip of your fingertips saves time, energy and confusion.

For businesses, there is also the issue of deciding to manage your own social media or hire someone to do it for you. I think, that if a company is large enough, it is vital to hire someone to monitor social media. The internet never sleeps and takes a full-time job, if not more, to keep up with it all. This article talks about all of the stresses that can be put on someone managing social media for a business: http://www.forbes.com/sites/capitalonespark/2013/03/19/should-you-outsource-social-media-or-do-it-yourself/. They need to be posting frequently in your business’ behalf, checking on what other people are saying about your business, and commenting, sharing and “liking” on statuses that apply to your business. It just simply is too much for one manager to handle on their own.

Organizational Uses

Social media started out as simply a way to connect with your friends and family.  It was a way to express your thoughts on the internet.  And best of all a way to waste time when you really should be productive.  But over the past couple of years, I have noticed a shift in the way social media is used.  Now, it is a way to promote your business, organization or ideal.  Social media has become a tool for social change.

These days I cannot even think of an accredited institution that does not have a Facebook page, Twitter account and other platforms.  Religions use social media to spread their ideals and faith.  Non-profit organizations use social media to ask for donations and to spread the word about the cause they are promoting.  It has now become as simple as clicking “Like” to show your support of a cause.  Government uses social media to share their policies with the world.  Politics use social media to get people to vote.  Even with the past Utah State student government elections, I knew most of the candidates’ names simply because they showed up on my news feed. 

But, in my opinion, the biggest new way that social media is being used is as marketing for both large corporations and small businesses.  This article talks about how much social media use for businesses has grown:  http://heidicohen.com/social-media-small-business-facts-you-need-now/

It is literally a free tool to share your logo, get your name out in the public and even advertising deals and promotions. 

With all of these organizations using social media to promote themselves, I am torn on how I feel about it.  I think it is great when I am a fan of the business or organization.  I mean, who doesn’t want people to know about their business or non-profit organization they are promoting?  But as a consumer, I have to admit I get a little annoyed.  Now, not only do I have to deal with ads to the side of my social media platforms, but I deal with them in my news feed as well.  After a while it gets old, and I start to ignore the organization posts.  It also makes me wonder if it really is as effective as it may seem.  I have never clicked on an ad that shows up in my platforms.  In fact, I make a mental note to be angry at whoever decided to clog up my news feed.  Overall, I don’t think that using social media as a tool for an organization is a bad thing.  But we need to be smart about.  Like the 9 companies highlighted here:  http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/9-companies-doing-social-media-right-and-why/

Most of all, don’t overwhelm your audience and be careful about what is noteworthy to post.


 

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