jennamareee:

You would have to be dumb, deaf and blind to not realise the importance and significance of social media in today’s business world. Being such a simple means for informations and communication, it is no wonder sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have been clogged up with Internet traffic over…

The emphasis of social media and its influence on the modern world is so important to note as a tool for public relations and connections with the public on a global scale. There are endless examples of this in today’s society with Twitter being a main communication tool for endless events. The uprisings in Libya, in London and through out the Middle East have all been coordinated and organised utilising Twitter as a main form of communicative interaction. 

The influence of Youtube should also be noted as it provides a visual platform for organisations to spread their messages to a broad audience, addressing multiple demographics. This answers the criticisms of social media limiting face-to-face communications. Although it reframes the traditional ideas of two-communication it still provides vertical communication strategies, in that it enables messages to be sent, with a response mechanism. Although Youtube is an invaluable tool in communication it cannot replace face-to-face communication which provides the basis for establishing positive communication relationships. 

Ultimately social media provides new and innovate ways for communicators to reach audiences, manage reputation and maintain relationships, however it should not be used as a communications crutch, rather a branch of a diverse industry.