I comply with your statement that social media provides more opportunities for all to show different perspectives on the same issue and demonstrate the results of someone’s work more effectively. I believe that the future of social media should be considered through the lenses of business and marketing. Moreover, social networking websites allow viewers and readers to express their opinions freely and share their experiences on different issues with other people. Social media allows customers to communicate with a potential seller before buying a product or service. Having a social networking website profile may serve as an effective advertisement of one’s goods and services, engaging potential customers in communication and interaction with the profile’s owner. Although social media may have some negative effects on human well-being and business success, its advantages override these disadvantages, making social media an effective commercial instrument.
As you mentioned, social media has allowed clients to interact with businesses and social organizations more effectively. What is more, it has improved businesses’ capabilities and performances. For example, modern companies use social media to “drive innovation in their products and services and for recruitment” (Irbo & Mohammed, 2020, p. 275). Business owners may create online communities to advertise their products and establish their brand image. They can hire employees using the information found on their Facebook or Instagram pages. Nowadays, social media is the most cost-efficient way to promote and market business (Irbo & Mohammed, 2020, p. 275). It also helps provide better customer service and achieve better sales. For instance, I often use Instagram to buy something or find recommendations from influential bloggers. This platform aids businesses in promoting their products with the help of top bloggers, celebrities, and opinion leaders, increasing their target audience and converting potential clients to actual clients.
In addition, I agree with you that social media is a useful tool for various departments, not only businesses. As you said, police activity is usually portrayed from a negative side on television. Social media engages different sources of information in the communication process, allowing eyewitnesses to voice their opinions. Television and newspapers are overwhelmed with negativity and the news about some horrible events. Social media allows people to control the information they want to receive and share “overwhelmingly positive and awe-inspiring news” instead of negative information (Welbers & Opgenhaffen, 2019, p. 48). In such a way, social media users improve their well-being and protect themselves against negative news attacks. Moreover, social media users can immediately criticize and comment on professional news, either supporting or refuting the data presented in the news post. Companies and social organizations can use this information to understand consumers’ preferences and opinions and adjust their businesses accordingly.
Finally, I agree that Yelp and other review pages are useful for both clients and business owners. Such platforms allow customers to leave honest comments about the products and services they purchased. Nevertheless, I would like to add that haters and competitors may use review pages, like any other social media platform, to tarnish the reputation of their rivals. Sometimes, they may post many negative comments about a business, and it will be difficult to remove the comments and recover one’s brand image. Despite some disadvantages of social media, it is still one of the most effective and successful ways to manage and market business and engage potential consumers in interaction.
References
Irbo, M. M., & Mohammed, A. A. (2020). Social media, business capabilities and performance: A review of literature. African Journal of Business Management, 14(9), 271-277.
Welbers, K., & Opgenhaffen, M. (2019). Presenting news on social media. Digital Journalism, 7(1), 45-62.