Know Your Brand

Know Your Brand

I have already learned so much in the last two days about how social media can affect your credibility and your person. It is important to realize that everything that you put on social media is labeling how you are to others. 

The next time you mindlessly post about something on Twitter or Facebook, you might want to consider a couple of these things.

It is a growing industry.

In the intersession class I am taking at school (Twitter for Media), we had a speaker who also happens to be one of my professors, named Desiree Hill. One of the things that she said about social media was that there are always going to be new things coming out sooner or later.

"There are things out there that we haven't even conceived about yet. It will affect us all and we have to be ready for it," -@dezhill

Before Facebook and Twitter, news stories were given to stations by either telephone calls or walk-ins. It is hard for people of my generation to consider this, since we have all grown up with the growth of social media outlets since their inceptions. 

There are all kinds of new opportunities in the community of journalism and social media already, but what is it going to be like in 5 years from now? It is hard to conceive, but when it changes we need to be ready. 

It could determine if you get hired or not.

Consider this hypothetical situation: Two people are trying for the same job. They are both equally qualified and they are both well-liked by their in-person interview.

 However, Person A has pictures all over their social media of them being wild and drunk, sometimes posting hateful things. Person B, on the other hand, posts quality, informative, and credible things and also has nice professional pictures. 

Who is that company going to want to represent them? Well, it is a bit obvious isn't it? To quote Professor Hill once again, "Credibility is hard, almost impossible to get back after it is gone."

You are not an expert just because you have grown up with it.

The reason why I think this class is so important is that I know I mindlessly like and re-post things all the time to my social media. I have used social media since I was in middle school. 

Do I technically know how to use it?

 I know how to put things on there.

Do I think I am an expert and do I know how to use it well? 

Not even close. 

To establish credibility, it is important to avoid topics that are inherently controversial, such as politics or religion. 

"So what should I do?"

Google yourself frequently to see if you think the person that is represented online is someone who you would hire. 

After all, your future employers will be Googling you. (If they haven't already.)

It is both a burden and a gift.

We all love social media. We are addicted, so to speak. I, for one, love being able to get hard and fast news anytime I want. I love seeing how and what my friends are doing. This is what makes social media a gift. 

However, when it is used to spread fear and hate, then it is our responsibility to change it. As an aspiring journalist, it is my job to spread news that is valid and will help educate people. 

"When you come from a place of education, you have the opportunity to elevate your industry," -@dezhill

I want to make a contribution to this planet. I want to see poverty decline, I want people to live happier lives.

 In journalism, we have the power to help people, whether it is promoting new and innovative ways to live or showing how people are giving back. These stories are highly important for people. 

I can't wait to learn more about this profession. 

Signing Out,

KateleighSuz