There is a new medium on the scene and it is getting more popular with each passing day. It is called social media and it seems that the politicians of the world have not taken the time to get to know it is slowly changing the way we communicate with each other day to day. Social media allows you to express yourself in a way that the mass media does not allow and at the same time it allows you to be heard by others. One example of this media is Twitter. Here are some things you may want to keep in mind if you use social media to communicate with your supporters or if you are planning on running for political office.
What To Keep Under Consideration On Social Media
First, keep in mind that your followers on Twitter will most likely not read the news, but they can tell you what is happening in the world of politics and in some cases, they will actually be voting for or against you. So, when you are using social media, you want to make sure that you are as authentic as possible because people are much more likely to believe someone who is not. If you are trying to make the best of the media by using it to inform citizens of your campaign, then you are going to need to be able to communicate in a timely and respectful manner. Nothing makes people more distrustful of politicians than a candidate who cannot be found to show up for campaign events or press conferences. So, use Twitter to your advantage and work it into your overall media plan and be prepared to explain why you are missing these things.
Second, you must learn to be patient with your social media plan. In addition to using Twitter to tell people where you are every hour and then showing up for local town hall meetings and other media events, you must have an even schedule and discipline with how you use the social media outlets. There is an old adage that states, “If it is not broke, don’t fix it.” However, this is very true in the realm of political communication and the use of social media to reach out to your supporters and voters.
Third, when using social media, try to keep it clean. Everyone uses social media sites and most news outlets, including those that specialize in news, have been banned from using certain social media platforms due to their behaviour. The amount of abuse that news reporters receive on a daily basis for inappropriate behaviour cannot be unnoticed and news organizations learn very quickly when they cross the line. The social media world can be very addicting and requires due diligence and discipline. For example, we recently read a story about a dentist who had implemented social media policy for their dental practice to ensure employees were abiding with appropriate social media guidelines whilst in work. This overall had a fairly positive impact on the dental practice overall.
Fourth, do not be afraid to admit when you are wrong. If you become the victim of false or inaccurate information, correct it because the news media cannot be trusted to provide accurate information every time. This is not a reflection on you as a person but rather a reflection of how important it is to take responsibility for your actions and not blame others when you make mistakes. Many news outlets allow corrections of information that was published and often encourage them through statements such as, “You’ll note that all news is news, but that is not enough.”
Final Considerations
Lastly, understand the difference between news and viral trends. News coverage is primarily designed to inform the public. However, social media take this to a different level and relies largely on its users to repeat the news as often as possible or the next viral trend. It is at this point that many people forget what news is all about and they end up losing interest and going to another social network site. Instead of becoming a follower of the latest viral trend, become a follower of a news outlet that actually provides original reporting.