It was Robert Burns who wrote: “O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us, To see oursels as others see us."
The explosive growth of social media has provided multiple channels for people to chat, share, update and organise their lives. But, more importantly, it has fuelled the ability to ask, take and share advice about every subject under the sun (and more).
The continued popularity of sites such as Facebook, Twitter and others too numerous to mention offers an unprecedented chance to understand how we, as individuals or brands, are perceived by those with a stake in our personal and professional lives. These may be friends, family, colleagues, employers (present or future), employees, customers, investors...and the list goes on.
From job sites, to hobby blogs and twitter feeds, social media is now touching every aspect of society. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for people and organisations seeking to enhance their public profile.
Social media fills a gap between a best friend, trusted guide and impartial advisor. We might not know the person we are interacting with; in fact we’ve probably never met them. But the fact that they are on the same site as you, and have shared the same problem, creates a unique bond and can have a huge influence on the decisions you make.
Get it right, and social media can help to build a positive buzz that simply can’t be bought. Get it wrong and the internet becomes a place where negative views and opinions can spread like wildfire, and once published these can be hard to counteract.
If you’re unfamiliar with the principle of social networking, or your exposure is limited to posting status updates and photos to your personal Facebook page, then this can all seem quite daunting. However, with a bit of guidance and direction, it’s possible to take a more strategic approach to your social media activity and create the right online reputation by stimulating a dialogue with those who have a stake in your success.
Our new social media taster course, which launches next month, is designed to do just that. Students will be introduced to the main social networking sites and learn how to use each of these to maximum effect. The course offers practical insights for individuals and firms, and includes online and workshop resources.
It’s an ideal introduction to the world of social media and can act as a standalone course for those who want to dip their toes in the water, or as a stepping stone to further study in the field of digital marketing.
Returning to Rabbie Burns, the full translated verse becomes very apt when applied to social media.
Oh, that God would give us the very smallest of gifts
To be able to see ourselves as others see us
It would save us from many mistakes
and foolish thoughts
We would change the way we look and gesture
and to how and what we apply our time and attention
Being aware and knowledgeable about social media isn’t just about saving us from “many mistakes and foolish thoughts,” it’s about changing the “way we look and gesture”, and that can only benefit us and those with whom we interact.