NAVIGATING PUBLIC RELATIONS IN FUTURE TRENDS, INNOVATIONS, AS WELL AS SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE

WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE? 

 Social media influence is the ability of a person to impact people's opinions within an online social group. It has become an important instrument in public relations since it is the direct voice to communicate with the audience. According to Janice, Horsley, & Kari (2020) Social Media Influence is any procedure where an individual's attitudes, opinions, beliefs, or behaviours are influenced or controlled by some kind of social media communication. Let us take a look at how it advantaged and disadvantaged the public relations industry.

CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC RELATIONS:

  • Credibility of the organisation

Adapted from: Meron Berhe: The Pitch

While social media influence has its own benefits on public relations, it also has challenges. Public Relations Professionals have to put a lot of effort in dealing with false information from social media to sustain the reputation of their organisations. This is because misleading information spreads quickly on social media platforms (Jahng, Lee & Rochadiat, 2020). 

  • Speed and Volume of information on social media.

 

Adapted from: Dave Chaffey: Global social media statistics research 

 Social media is really fast and there is always a lot of information that is being shared around weather negative or positive, forcing public relations professionals to always keep an eye on social media platforms to check what is being said about their organisation or brand in order to be able to respond fast and manage potential crises.

OPPORTUNITIES OF SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC RELATIONS:

  • Accessibility, direct engagement and expanded reach.

 

Adapted from: John Moffitt: Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms like Facebook, twitter, YouTube and Instagram makes it easier for public relations professionals to engage with people that they found difficult to connect with before, creating two-way communication and building stronger relationships with stakeholders (Matter, 2024). 

  •  Access to reporters and Journalists

Adapted from: Public Relations and Press Releases (NextUnicorn)

Zhang (2023) states that public relations practitioners can now directly communicate with journalists and reporters, distribute press releases, peach stories and develop connections. They can also remain informed about industry trends and adapt their pitches accordingly by following Journalists on these social media platforms.

WHAT CAN PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONALS DO TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES?

  •  As PRPS we have to be up to date with what is happening out there, always keep our eyes open on social media platforms and know what people are saying about the organisations we work for.
  •  We need to always be ready to respond quickly with honesty which will help our audience to trust us. 
  • We should utilize tools to see how well we are doing on the platforms such as keeping track on the level of engagement of our audiences.
  •  Lastly but not least, we need to educate ourselves with different social media platforms for example, find out how do they work and use them in our own advantage (Fanaras,2017).

 PERSONAL REFLECTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE FOR PRPS

 Well, it has been proven that social media influence has both, it's negatives and positives. However, we cannot run away from the fact that we need it as public relations practitioners because it came along with many opportunities. For example, now public relations professionals have a chance to engage with their audience, I am talking about the comments, likes, sharing of information and so on. It also provided new opportunities for strategic thinking, innovation and creativity. Honestly speaking, I believe that a life without them again would be very difficult especially for us as public relations professionals. 

 Video on social media helping the public relations industry.

                                              Adapted from:  Using social media in pr

 

 

 

 

 



























Comments

  1. I totally agree with your point of view and this is an amazing article

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Social Media Influence has really assisted public relations in their work. It is just that public relations professionals has to be able to use it in their advantage.

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  2. I found your breakdown of social media and it's effects on public relations incredibly insightful. It's fascinating to see how platforms like Facebook and Twitter have transformed the way PR professionals engage with their audience.

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    1. Thank you for your comment. I am glad that you found the breakdown of social media and its impact on public relations insightful. Indeed, social media platforms has become the pillar of Public Relations.

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  3. The opportunities presented by social media influence are truly game-changers for PR professionals. The accessibility and direct engagement with stakeholders and journalists offer new avenues for building relationships and disseminating information. Your insights on leveraging these platforms for two-way communication and adapting pitches accordingly are invaluable.

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    1. Thank you for your comment. It's indeed a dynamic landscape, and I'm glad to share insights on how to maximize its impact for effective communication and relationship-building.

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  4. It is very factual that social media serves a good advantage whereby it really fast and there is always a lot of information to be shared around the world, and it is insightful

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    1. Thank you for your comment, social media is really quick and there is a lot of information being shared around. So, people need to be careful in choosing which content should they believe and which content they should not believe.

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  5. Your personal reflection on the potential implications of advanced technologies for public relations professionals is both honest and compelling. The concern about AI tools potentially replacing the need for PR practitioners underscores the importance of continuously adapting and evolving in the face of technological advancements. Your emphasis on finding unique ways to add value beyond what AI can offer is inspiring

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    1. Thank you for your compliment. AI tools cannot replace public relations professionals as they can't feel meaning that they cannot touch the hearts of human beings. So human touch will always be needed in public relations to create content that is authentic and relatable.

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  6. Navigating public relations in the face of future trends, innovations, and social media influence demands a strategic approach that will embraces change and leverages new opportunities. It is factual that technologies like AI and blockchain can enhance PR campaigns' effectiveness, while understanding evolving social media dynamics is crucial for engaging with modern audiences. This is about taking traditional PR principles and blending them with cutting-edge tactics to construct meaningful connections and drive positive outcomes in an ever-evolving media landscape.

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