Tag Archives: social media

Mastering X for PR Success

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In this article, learn strategies and apply them in order to master X for PR success.

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, is a crucial channel to use for public relations professionals to gather information, amplify their content, and successfully build their brand. Here are some suggestions on how you can leverage X and its tools and features for PR success.

X logo
X logo
  1. Strategically Using X Lists

First, X Lists are vital for PR success to organize the different posts and pieces of information that come across your feed. So, they can be used for various things such as:

  • Monitoring competitor brands/influencers/etc
  • Following hashtags or topics related to your industry
  • Keeping up with leaders in your industry such as influencers and experts
  • Gauging public opinion on different topics

2. Creating a Hashtag Strategy 

Next, on X, hashtags are extremely necessary for visibility and interaction with your audience. To maximize your hashtag strategy:

  • Create unique and catchy hashtags for specific campaigns 
  • Use hashtags that are relevant to your content/industry
  • Us an appropriate amount of hashtags balanced with your content and make sure it is not too much for the audience

3. Real Time Engagement with Audience

Also, X offers several ways for users to engage with others in real time for PR success. For example:

  • Respond to comments and mentions in a timely manner in order to create a trustworthy and dependable brand image
  • Use X Polls to communicate directly with your audience and gain insight on their opinions and preferences

4. Utilize X Analytics

Moving on, X provides analytics and details that can give you more information to more effectively adjust your PR success strategy:

  • Analyze the main audience and demographic that view and comment on your posts
  • Track your performance, trend engagement, and follower growth to see whether or not your strategy is working

5. Storytelling with X Moments

Lastly, X Moments allow users to show a more personal side and tell their stories through their posts. This can be used to:

  • Share important announcements, product launches, and events
  • Show and celebrate achievements and involvements of the brand 
  • Portray the brand’s values and vision and positive impacts they are making on the community

To conclude, by incorporating all of these strategies on X, PR professionals can effectively achieve their goals, enhance brand engagement and visibility and achieve PR success.

Further Reading:

The Power of Social Media in Social Change

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online communities, Social Media Movements, social change,social media, Hashtags.

Social media has grown from just a way to connect with friends to a powerful tool for activism and big changes in society. This change shows how hashtags can bring people together, support causes, and build online communities that lead to action in the real world. This article looks at how important social media is in creating social impact. It highlights major movements that have used online platforms to spread their message wider.

The Birth of Movements Through Hashtags

Movements often begin with a powerful yet simple hashtag. Examples such as #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, and #ClimateStrike capture feelings, stories, and demands, making difficult topics easy to understand and share. They show how social media can bring different people together to support a shared goal.

To learn more about the Me Too movement visit: https://ncadv.org/blog/posts/when-metoo-isnt-enough-why-domestic-violence-needs-its-own-hashtag

Amplifying social movements

Social media lets people who were often overlooked share their personal stories and injustices with online communities. This change in who gets to tell their story helps build unity, bringing in a variety of experiences, and growing digital activism.

Driving Real-World change

The impact of social media and online groups reaches into real results, with online efforts often leading to petitions, protests, and discussions on policies. The #MarchForOurLives movement shows this well, using hashtags and turning online support into large public rallies and talks about gun control.

The Role of Digital Platforms in Sustaining Movements

Social media plays a key role in keeping movements active and growing. Social media platforms play a crucial role in maintaining the momentum of social movements by encouraging interaction and raising funds. Therefore, Sites like Twitter and Instagram prove invaluable for planning and facilitating action. These platforms ensure that important topics remain at the forefront of everyone’s attention, keeping the conversation alive and engaging.

Challenges and Considerations

There are however some challenges that can harm digital activism such as misinformation and online harassment. Addressing these issues necessitates meticulous consideration of our engagement with digital platforms, equally ensuring we disseminate truthful information and interact with respect.

Social media has greatly changed how we approach digital activism, highlighting its importance today. It’s crucial to use these platforms wisely, aiming for social change that welcomes everyone. By fully understanding and using the strength of social media, we can more actively support fairness and equality for all.

Call to Action

Engage with and contribute to movements that matter to you. Overall, every interaction on social media can be part of a broader wave of change. Let’s utilize our digital platforms to effectuate difference, one hashtag at a time.

Pinterest for PR: Leveraging Visuals, Tips, Strategies & More

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Top 5 Ways Your Business Should Be Using Pinterest for PR Success

In the digital age, Pinterest for PR emerges as a potent tool for PR professionals seeking to elevate brand visibility and engagement. Explore how the strategic use of Pinterest can amplify your PR initiatives and leave a lasting impact on your audience.

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Pinterest: The Positive Social Media Platform 

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In a sea of many popular social media platforms, Pinterest is differentiating itself. Pinterest is looking to position itself as a positive social media platform. Their goal is to create a platform that leaves their users with beneficial experiences. 

Pinterest’s Additive Algorithm

Pinterest has made many intentional choices over the last decade to create a more positive platform. One way of doing so is through their conscious algorithm that suggests content based on signals from their users. The platform hopes that their platform’s AI is additive, not addictive will help curb the social media crisis. Recent data has shown that social media users scroll on average one mile every day. 

Pinterest feed.

Pinterest Prioritizing Emotional Well-Being of Users

The platform is also focused on protecting the emotional well-being of its users, specifically teenagers. Pinterest utilizes a strict self-harm policy to remove content that could put teens’ mental health at risk. In addition, the platform wants to “design in the good” and make Pinterest more representative. An example of their efforts can be seen in their hair pattern search and skin tone ranges. Pinterest believes that “no one should have to work harder to find content that’s relevant to them.” 

Pinterest feature where users can explore posts by skin range.

UC Berkley Study on the Positive Impacts of Pinterest

These actions Pinterest has taken are proving to have actual impacts on its users. In a new study performed by UC Berkeley, researchers examined the effect of Pinterest on college students’ stress levels. The data showed that as little as 10 minutes on Pinterest daily helped lower their stress levels. In addition to lowering stress levels, it helped provide a buffer against burnout. This study helps show that Pinterest’s strategic tactics to create a positive platform are working. 

With many social media platforms dedicating resources to compete with TikTok’s addictive algorithm, Pinterest is a bright spot. Rather than adapt its platform like Instagram is with Reels, Pinterest is forging a new path as a positive social media platform. As of July 2022, Pinterest has 433 million monthly active users, and it is expected to continue growing.

Is Pinterest the Social Media Dark Horse? 

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Over the last year, Pinterest has undergone various changes and restructuring in their leadership and their platform’s functions through technology acquisitions. This has resulted in an influx of user and brand attention. This has caused a revitalization of the platform, founded in 2008, making it a major player in social media and communication once again. 

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The Value of TikTok Influencers

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TikTok is a social media marketing machine, with TikTok influencers reaching millions of users with a single post. As of January 2023, the app had over 1 billion active monthly users. TikTok influencers are the easiest way to reach a target audience. Many marketing professionals have quickly realized the value of TikTok influencers. TikTok’s algorithm customizes users’ “For You Page” to their interests. As a result, they are presented with content that they are most likely to interact with. Therefore, if a brand partners with a group of influencers in similar niches, the brand will repeatedly interact with audiences of similar interests who are likely to buy from the brand.

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Working In Social Media: Three Tips To Protect Your Mental Heath

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people working on their phones

Looking out for your mental health is key in any profession. However, working in social media calls for more attention. Although social media is a fun and compelling digital platform, working in social media makes it almost impossible to “unplug” yourself from it. Whether you are an influencer, a social media manager, or just looking for some mental health tips, here are some helpful guidelines to protect your peace!

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Three Ingenious Life Hacks You Probably Didn’t Know About Instagram

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Picture of Instagram profile

According to Steve Lee, Instagram is a digital platform is all about show and tell. It is fun, creative, and personal! Although it is super simple to open and use, there are some ingenious life hacks you probably didn’t know about Instagram. If you’re curious about ways to step-up your Instagram game, here are three life hacks to get you there.

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Instagram is The New Marketplace

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Instagram

When the pandemic hit, companies and businesses needed to begin seeking out an online marketplace and presence. Instagram is the new marketplace as companies all over the world have taken to the Instagram platform to not only market, but directly sell their products. Whether it be a clothing item, jewelry item, or a beauty product, brands are truly finding success in the online shopping world; and Instagram is one of the best places to do it.

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Natalie Steen and Bradley Agather: The Future of Modern and Engaging Influencing

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How Steen and Agather are paving the way of modern and engaging influencing 

Dallas natives, Natalie Steen and Bradley Agather have quickly become Dallas’ favorite, most up-to-date and hip influencers. With Steens’ “The Nat Note” and Agather’s blog “Bradley Agather”, both women have navigated the ways of modern and engaging influencing. In doing so, they’ve asl perfectly created tasteful content for all audiences. Whether you’re getting an email from Agather’s “Punch List” or seeing an Instagram story of Steen’s newest “Nat Note”, you are constantly being invited to their knowledge of the newest, coolest, and chicest ways of life. 

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Social Media Is Changing The Olympics and Here’s Why

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Ever since the 2020 Summer Olympics, social media has changed the way viewers enjoy the Olympics. Although the last Olympics Games had it’s turns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, one thing that remained fun for viewers were athletes on TikTok. In light of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, let’s explore how much social media is changing the Olympics!

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Social Media Marketing Videos

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According to PR Daily, eight out of ten businesses are using video to engage consumers. Social media marketing through videos is becoming even more relevant. There are a lot of elements that go into a social media marketing videos: content, subtitles, length, sound, and more. Even the most minute details can affect the response you get from consumers. Here are the best tips and tricks for creating them:

social media marketing videos

Size Matters

Whether you are posting a video on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, you need to know specs, sizes, dimensions, and ratios for your videos. Making the best use out of these variables can lend itself to more engaging content. Therefore, you end up with a more positive response from consumers and a successful campaign.

Get Inspired

If you have been sticking with the same social media strategy for awhile, it’s time to get inspired! Search for some other successful marketing video campaigns to get your ideas flowing. Remember: fresh, timely content is usually the best route to take.

Add Extras in Social Media Marketing Videos

Most social media platforms allow for the adding in of cool effects on videos, such as filters and stickers. Using these effects can help your videos stand out. In addition, they can help consumers connect more meaningfully with your content. Be careful though, adding in too many effects can crowd your videos and your marketing message might get lost.

Storytime!

The “story” feature on social media platforms is also another great way to share video content with consumers, with a more casual approach. Stories are usually only up for 24 hours, so make sure to make it count. The “Live” feature on these platforms is also a good tool for connecting with your audience. However, a good social media marketing campaign through videos should be planned well in advance. Even though live feeds and stories seem casual and off-the-cuff, they must be planned ahead of time.

Digital Habits During Isolation

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In today’s times of quarantines and lockdowns, our digital habits during isolation have changed. Without restaurants to go and eat at or movie theaters to spend our time in, Americans are spending way more time online.

While people want to keep themselves as entertained as they can, there has been a surprising decrease in phone and app usage. This could be due to all the time we are spending at home, close to our computers. Why use a smaller screen and keyboard when you have a bigger one right next to you? Popular websites that also have their own popular apps have experienced this decrease. Facebook, Netflix, and YouTube have all seen user numbers on their phone apps slow down or decrease, while their website usage has grown. This might be one of the largest changes in our digital habits since isolation.

digital habits during isolation
Source: The New York Times

Analysis of Digital Habits During Lockdown

As you can see, website traffic for all three has significantly increased recently, causing a large upward spike. In contrast, app usage for these three has been anything but predictable. App usage for Facebook, Netflix, and YouTube spiked toward the beginning of lockdowns and quarantines, but has taken a significant dip recently. This could be due to the initial lockdown, causing people to cling on to habits of constantly checking their phone. Recently, our digital habits during isolation have shifted to using popular apps rather than websites. Although we have a lot more free time for screens, people are preferring using their laptops rather than their phones. 

We have now become dependent on services that allow us to learn and work from home. Our schools and work areas have been moved to our bedrooms and living rooms. This has had another huge impact on our digital habits during isolation. For example, class time and meetings are happening on Zoom, Google Hangouts and Microsoft Teams. It will be incredibly interesting to see how our digital habits continue to change as we slowly begin to reintegrate into society.

Trusting Social Media?

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When it comes to whether or not to trust social media, the first thing that comes to your mind is probably “fake news”. Fake news refers to a form of news that consists of deliberate disinformation spread via traditional news or social media. With the popularity of digital news in today’s times, fake news is more wildly rampant.

According to an article from The Hill, which interviewed Edelman CEO Richard Edelman, the distrust surrounding social media has become worse due to the coronavirus pandemic in the last few months. “Social media is deeply distrusted right now because there’s too much fake news,” Edelman told Hill.TV. “People trust those who have credentials. … Everybody wants to know specifics. They don’t just want to get facts through social media”.

So should we be trusting social media? Or not?

trusting social media

What to Do

While the answer to this question is not necessarily black and white, there are things you can do to ensure that the news you read from social media is credible. Firstly, a good rule of thumb is to not trust news from social media unless it comes from a credible source. Credible sources are educational or scientific. NEVER take coronavirus or health-related information from random websites or social media profiles. Ensure they are a reputable source before trusting social media news. Also, do not trust any medical advice or “cures for coronavirus” without checking the website for the CDC. The CDC website is full of credible information regarding the pandemic.

Rise in Agnotology Studies

In addition, novel coronavirus has become a popular subject for experts in “agnotology”. Agnotology is the study of the cultural production of misinformation. “Misinformation spreads rapidly, especially in a time of great fear,” says Robert N. Proctor, a professor of the history of science at Stanford and a pioneer in this field. “That’s always been true, from the burning of witches on up to hydroxychloroquine. When people are faced with a crisis, they become desperate.”

So, during this unprecedented time, when it comes to trusting social media, particularly news coming from it, make sure to do your homework on the source first. You health could depend on it!

Perfecting Your Social Profiles

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The semester is ending, and with it, many seniors are graduating college and heading out into the real world. While we are living in an unprecedented time, recent grads are scrambling for job opportunities. One way to ensure you make a good impression on a potential employer is perfecting your social profiles.

Perfecting your social profiles

According to Monster.com, a study was done to determine the importance of social media profiles to employers. Employers in the communications and public relations field ranked social media as most highly, with 82% describing it as important. This further emphasizes the relevance of social media profiles while searching for jobs in the communications and public relations field and the importance of perfecting your social profiles.

The same Monster article also highlighted the importance of employers using social media to search for potential hires. This means that the first impression an employer gets of you could be one of your social profiles, which does not exclusively apply to LinkedIn. Organizations could look at your Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or even Tik Tok accounts! Here are some helpful tips for perfecting you social profiles:

Keep It Professional

Make sure that your profile, no matter the platform, gives an air of appropriateness and professionalism. Delete content that could possibly be considered inappropriate, a good rule of thumb is to ask the question for each post, “Would I want my mom to see this?”. Another good way to perfect your social profiles is to add a professional headshot photo as your profile picture.

Update, Update, Update!

Update your social profiles regularly to show enthusiasm and interest, especially if you are going into the communications or public relations fields. Commentary on interesting articles, promotion updates, and general posts of interest can not only increase your following, but also impress employers.

Include Contact Information

Something you may not have thought of when perfecting your social profiles is including your contact information. This does not have to be everything; a simple email address will suffice. As long as potential employers have a way to reach you, you’re in business!

Twitter During COVID-19

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Twitter during COVID-19

Due to lockdown orders, people have been spending their time on social media now more than ever. Twitter during COVID-19 has been especially popular. The social media platform has been a go-to for information. It is a resource for people to consult in such a difficult time. It also gives a look into public opinion during this crisis.

Not everything on Twitter should be believed. However, according to Tech Crunch, Twitter has announced that it will be using its blue check verification mark by “…mobilizing the badge system to help signal more authoritative and verified voices that can provide credible updates on the topic of the coronavirus”. This adds to the recent efforts made by Twitter to rid itself of false information.

Using the blue check verification mark wields its power for credible sources only. A good source would be a verified expert. This also helps people determine what is factual on Twitter. Twitter is also working with global health authorities, such as the WHO and CDC, to identify these experts and ensure they are deserving of the blue check.

The social media platform is even making sure that factual information comes from other sources during COVID-19. Twitter announced that it would be donating $1 million, split equally, to the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Women’s Media Foundation. This money will go towards advancing their important work. Specifically, work done by the media reporting during COVID-19. Twitter even told its employees to work from home to prevent the spread of the virus in early March.

Twitter’s response to COVID-19 has been a great example. Other social media platforms should learn from Twitter and fight the virus in any way they can. Even just making sure information about the virus on these platforms is correct could be a start.

How to Network on LinkedIn like a Professional

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Networking is a fantastic strategy to make connections within your job field that can help propel your career forward. Wondering how to network on LinkedIn can be daunting, but no need to worry! LinkedIn is a relatively easy social media platform to use. It can end up being extremely informative and advantageous to any job search, especially for young professionals fresh out of college and ready to work their way up the ladder.

According to an article from Business.com, “LinkedIn has more than 467 million users…On this professional platform, you can apply for jobs and connect with people in your industry as well as former co-workers”. LinkedIn also gives people the opportunity to connect and network with industry titans who you might never have had the chance to meet.

How to Network on LinkedIn

Here are some tips on how to network on LinkedIn like a professional:

#1 Have a Profile that Pops

A profile on LinkedIn is usually the first impression that people get, so make sure not only that it has professional language, but it also make it unique in order to stand out. In addition, an appropriate headshot is usually best as a profile picture.

#2 Join Groups

If you aren’t sure about how to network on LinkedIn and connect with other professionals, join some LinkedIn groups! Find a few groups that are relevant to your job or industry and participate in them. This is a sure strategy for getting more eyes on your profile, and opportunities could arise from it.

#3 Interact and Engage!

The easiest way to make connections on LinkedIn is to post engaging content and interact with other users and their posts. Create content that interests and educates people; show your own unique perspective and add some cool graphics or article links to spice things up.

Use these tips to help form some great professional connections, they might help you find your next job!