How do notable individuals use social media?
Notable individuals utilize social media in order to create a large following and attract as many people to their craft or profession as possible. These people hold a lot of power, and sometimes I don’t think these people understand the weight of their words. They have the power to sway people’s opinions with a simple post on their account, which can be very effective but also very dangerous if these people hold radical and potentially harmful views. They also must realize that even if they delete a post on their social media, the information they have shared can never truly be erased from the internet. Whatever they choose to post on their persona social media will become a part of their digital footprint which will remain with them.
What are the benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN?
The benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN are endless. Multiple personal and professional opportunities can present themselves, as many people can learn who you are through social media for instance. In addition, you can promote a business or brand easily through having a large following on social media, which is also very economically favourable since it does not cost anything to simply post a picture. Through being in the public eye and having a PLN, you can also reach many followers and create a positive impact in their life and in your community. For instance, posting about the importance of getting vaccinated or discussing important topics like gender equality and mental health advocacy can generate real and important changes.
Building a community with online tools provided by the employer can be limiting, what are the perceived restrictions and benefits?
Utilizing online tools in a workplace can be very beneficial, as it can allow individual workers and companies as a whole to store more information in a compact, digital space which can be readily accessible to employees. These online tools can also allow for easy communication among co-workers, that can result in a more teamwork aspect and create a more cohesive workplace. A restriction of online tools is that although digital communication can be effective, this may in turn limit in-person communication among co-workers which proves to be a very important part of a healthy workplace.
Delivering information in a connected society requires verifiable resources, how to build a PLN to rely on?
Incorporating reliable information and utilizing reputable sources on social media is an important aspect of building a reliable PLN. The act of spreading misinformation is very prevalent on social media and can be quite dangerous considering the fact that social media is an instantaneous form of communication that is utilized around the world. Deterring from this behaviour and rather spreading true and accurate information on social media is an important step to take to communicate effectively and appropriately within society and create a reliable PLN.
How do those, who are veteran storytellers, minimize risk in sharing misinformation?
Careful revision before sharing information on your PLN is an important step to take to minimize the spread of misinformation. Making sure that that each sentence is crafted mindfully to ensure that the wording is precise and accurate ensures that viewers aren’t receiving bias or exaggerated opinions. This also establishes trust between yourselves and viewers, and ensures a reliable and reputable PLN. In addition, referring to and learning from other people in similar situations and how they effectively share information is an important point that the interview notes.
How to best address negative replies and critiques reflective of your personal values and employer social media policy?
As Jody Vance notes, we must prepare ourselves for criticism, and we cannot change everyone’s minds and convince them to hold the same opinions as ourselves. Moving past people that voice negative opinions toward your values not only saves time but is important to show that their opinions do not affect us and that we have better things to do with our time than dwell on trivial matters such as a hateful comment. However, it is important to critically analyze valid points people make and remain open to new perspectives and opinions.
Identify the risks and benefits of engaging with a public audience in a media space – what are the risks for a public figure or person in a position of trust (educator, lawyer, government official)?
There are several risks and benefits that come with social media. Social media allows people to create many relationships within their community and worldwide that can kickstart various personal or business-related opportunities. Engaging with followers on social media can also establish real and rewarding connections. For instance, when Covid-19 was at its peak, personal connections were impossible to form in person. During this difficult time, social media was a saving grace for many, as it allowed people to form new connections with people online. Engaging with a public audience online is also an effective way to tackle business endeavors, particularly during the pandemic when many in-person businesses were forced to close. There are also many negative effects that stem from public social media usage of public figures or a position of trust. Social media can create a space of negativity, where people’s every move can be critically evaluated and judged. With cancel culture being such a prevalent issue in today’s society, many public figures have resorted to shutting down social media accounts or taking a break from the space due to the deterioration of their happiness and/or mental health.
