Using social media (JRNL 379)

Through the years public relations professionals have sought out new ways to draw in customers. They found that having a well-known face (actors, musicians and athletes) behind a product helps to sell even more, but lately social media has become the tool for selling products.

From free samples (jeans, sunglasses, things found in “swag bags”) to straight up advertisements. The public wants what these celebs have and that’s a major cash cow…

I shared this video a while back… It’s of a youtube star, Shay Carl, and his family. They were asked by T-mobile/Walmart to make a video using the product and giving the information. Thousands of people (fans of the youtuber) have watched the video and have probably shared it with their friends.

It’s all about getting the product out there.

Social Media 379: Chapters 1-2 Thoughts

I knew Social Media was making its way… but I never realized how much it made an impact.

In Chapter 2, Solis talks about companies making huge adjustments to make run for social media. Budgetary cuts and new hires just to run  the section. It’s amazing how much work is put in to a simple tweet or facebook message when you look at it from the backend.

“Be careful here, as you get what you pay for,” said Solis. ” Saying that although this new tool may be beneficial, you have to use it wisely.

In class we talked about companies responding to tweets, getting feed back and making an effort to please the consumers–at first I was against it, having never experienced positive feedback (more like repetition from the phone call I had with a representative earlier in the day)–this interaction helps build something between the consumer and the company, a type of bond.

There is also a rise in promoting through social mediums… Pages, “Likes”, Subscriptions, Follows, Ads and “@ replies” are all used to inform the public of  the lastest/new products and services.

“Mobile devices not only extend the collaboration and productivity capabilities that used to tether us to fixed locations,” said Brian. “they also bring the rise of new, highly interactive mobile platforms and networks…”

I think that this is the beginning to something new. We have more to see from PR and Social Media the two together are unstoppable, information has no end.

Thoughts??

Text Referred: Engage! By Brian Solis

Hello PR World

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