Matthew Dwyer - MLA Social Media Manager
Category: General
08/06/2012
There has been a lot of hype surrounding social media. We’ve seen it in rural media, heard about it at industry events and had everyone from the paddock to Parliament tweeting.
The way we communicate is changing. No longer do we receive all of our information from traditional media such as newspapers, which are one directional in nature. Through social media, we can now be part of the conversation, provide our opinion and share our side of the story.
Why all the hype?
The rise of social media has been phenomenal. Not so long ago very few people would have heard of ‘social networking’, let alone use it to communicate.
Some of the numbers surrounding social media networks are astounding. Facebook has around 900 million active users, YouTube sees 2 million videos viewed per minute, while Twitter has some 165 million registered users.
Once considered a trivial fad, the face of social media is changing.
Rather than sharing the comings and goings of our daily life, social media is now being used to promote and advocate, share ideas, create communities and inform.
Why should I care?
Being connecting and sharing information with people online rather than face to face is perfect for producers who are geographically isolated from the urban community and often your industry peers.
Social media empowers you as a producer by providing a unique opportunity for you to share your story with the urban community – in turn becoming an advocate for you family, your business and your industry. It also offers you information and views to improve your business.
Social networks act as signposts to websites, publications, events, news, announcements, and the list goes on. By having access to this information you are learning, improving your productivity, developing industry networks and strengthening your business.
What do you think about the rise of social media? How do you use social media in your business?