maryraupublicrelations

Social Media – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

As a manager of Social Media for multiple small businesses, I would argue the importance of keeping up with social media 24/7. Whether it be Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest, Google +, or any one of the other new vehicles out there, a business today cannot avoid the likes and shares that capture a viral audiences. After all, we are all trying to get the word out about something or other…right?

So many do not understand social media. The older generations throw up their hands at the mere thought of posting, pinning and tweeting personal information…Who can blame them? ( I can’t – I am 50!)  To many, social media is a foreign way of communicating.

Let’s talk openly. We all know parents who text their teens who are are just in the next room. We all know those who text each other when they are sitting across from each other. Invitations are coming across the electronic wires replacing snail mail and a cute note. Gaming is taking over!  And…this one kills me….the next time you are in a restaurant, look around at how many are glued to their electronic devices instead of engaging in conversation.

Like it or not, social media is how generations are communicating. Changing marketing at lightening speed, social media has value as it has allowed businesses to potentially be in the back pockets or purses of their customers. Social media enables marketing teams to get their message on a global billboard. Used correctly and in conjunction with other marketing pieces, a business can effectively market both locally and globally.  From the marketing perspective, what could be better than that? Oh, I know… the fact that it is free doesn’t hurt either.