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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