I use several forms of new media on a daily basis, most of which are social media. I use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram everyday both personally and professionally. I also have a LinkedIn account that I browse once every few days. In addition to those sites, I also created my own website, www.ryanforan.info (needs to be updated) several years ago as a resume website. I thoroughly enjoy social media and appreciate its power and impact.
Social media has definitely changed my perspective on events. I was first introduced to Twitter when I was a news reporter about eight or nine years ago. The immediacy of being able to not only gather news, but to disseminate it, was remarkable and profound. Since then, my experience and use of social media has grown significantly. As a news reporter it was a requirement as a part of my job. I also started two different social media campaigns for schools districts, I have, and do work for. The results have been significant with the amount of people we are able to reach and engage with. My current district is thrilled with my social media outreach campaign and what we’ve been able to accomplish in the ten months since I started here. I also use social media to stay in touch with family and friends, and as a news junky, to get the latest breaking news and trending topics.
My personal and professional experience with social media has been very positive. There have been many people hesitant when I suggest social media as an additional form of communication for a school district, but once they see the results, “how did we live without this before” is often heard. Do negative things and interactions occur via social media? Of course, but the positive impacts greatly outweigh the negative. At least in my experience thus far. I’m excited to dive deeper into social and digital media in this course.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and seeing how much social media has been a part of your professional life. I have used Facebook and LinkedIn often, however lately I have branched out into other areas. I use the internet to research changes and new information regarding healthcare and the advances that have occurred. Today I enjoy the internet for writing associations and guitar lessons. I was surprised at how much of a difference it is to learn how to play a guitar at my own pace instead of under the influence of an instructor. While there are areas of the internet that do need policing to protect our children and ourselves from dishonest individuals. the majority of the internet provides informative and helpful information regarding a vast content of material.
Marie Barrese
Hi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have had some pretty amazing jobs! Was it easy to create your personal website, and has it been useful in branding yourself and finding jobs?
I have been thinking about doing one, but I am really hesitant.
It is crazy to think that social media has become a part of not only our personal lives, but also part of the day-to-day operations of many businesses. I personally am one of those people that often think, or say "what did I do before social media?" because it has been so beneficial and life changing.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteGo You! Social media does greatly effect how a business stays relevant in today's world. There are those out there who are still hesitant on the whole social media thing (my mother is in the masses) but then they see how it can be helpful and all doubts are almost gone away.
Ryan, your remarks point to the importance of new media in not just personal communications but the commercial world, as well. Viral marketing and word-of-mouth promotion through social media channels have disrupted the traditional model of advertising in the mass media--and even "old media" such as billboards, newspaper and magazine advertisements, and television spots now commonly incorporate digital references such as web site URLS and QR codes.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to read your perspective as someone who works with these new media as part of his professional responsibilities and to think about your examples of the positive impact you've observed. I wonder if you might explain further some of the drawbacks you've seen, too. What examples of "negative things and interactions [that] occur via social media" do you have in mind?
Thanks for all the nice comments guys and gals!
ReplyDeleteMarie- Learning to play the guitar online is very cool! Youtube has a lot of great video tutorials for so many things that I also take advantage of!
Andrea- Yes the resume website was pretty easy, and it helped for sure. It really sets you apart from the rest. It's about as easy as this blog was to setup, but I did use Go Daddy and paid for it. It was very inexpensive, but it comes with 24/7 phone support which is great!
Kevin- Yes, social media is now big business and companies are taking notice if they haven't already. Plus, companies are now hiring social media specialist to do just that. Something that was unheard of a few years ago. Some negatives-people using it as the complaint channel, when that's not the correct avenue to take. Or, people saying negative things that are untrue on your page etc. Again, those are infrequent and you can always delete comments left on your page.
Ryan - I like your examples of the negative aspects of social media that you shared in your comment above. How often do you just delete comments, and don't the people who post take offense to that? Our local news station has verbal fights break out all the time on their social media page, but they don't delete it. They try to monitor it, but the comments can really get out of hand. On the more positive side, what has impressed your boss the most about your use of social media for the school district?
ReplyDeleteRenee- I actually don't delete them often. Only if it is offense which is very rare. Your news station probably leaves them because they draw attention and get traffic which helps to promote the page itself... What has impressed my bosses the most is the amount of people we have been able to reach through this new medium, and the immediacy of it. It's been great for us. We also used it during a lock-down at one of our schools which allowed us to get info out immediately and continuously.
DeleteI really enjoyed your blog. It is nice that you took the time to explain your verification process to your readers. It lets me know that as a journalist that you desire to be ethical. I appreciate the fact that your have a background in journalism and that you are not afraid to draw from your experiences. It is even nicer that you have a network of friends in journalist that you can count on for good information.
ReplyDelete