Let me tell you a story, once upon a time the twittersphere and other social media goodies were only used by tech geeks and the young, who made up a relatively small portion of the voting population. Hard to believe isn't it?
Today everyday people in the western world (not Westeros) flock to all kinds of social media and politicians have recognised its influence over the masses and tapped into social media to enhance their political campaigns and exposure.
Social media enables a two way conversation between politicians and the electorate. Many politicians have their own blogs, websites, Facebook page and Youtube channels through which they can promote themselves and construct an image of how their audience sees them. In the past, the only way to find information about an election or a politician was through television and newspapers. Nowadays, even ordinary citizens can challenge their leaders and get a direct answer from them through media channels. Infact, nowadays it's proven people think a candidate who sends out her own online messages and interacts with voters electronically is more honest.
With the use of social media, politicians have a lot more exposures than ever before and definitely put themselves at an advantage than those who don't. Politicians are no longer just the mysterious figures who we only see on TV. We now can interact with the leaders. In many cases, the integrated use of social media has proven to be much more effective than just one used alone.
The use of social media by politicians takes many forms. There's of course your standard facebook/twitter feed (which truth be told is probably run by their press agent with minimal politician input) all the way to using more engaging forums like a Google+ hangout or even a Reddit AMA. Barrack Obama infact did an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit in 2012, inwhich he allowed the userbase of Reddit to ask him anything (though obviously he didn't answer some of the more ludicrious questions like "Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?").
Basically, it's probably fair to say Social Media in politics is almost becoming an arms race to see who can get their message out to their costituents in the most creative and engaging way.
To continue using Obama as an example, social media has made political campaigns never before reach out to and interact with as many young people as it does today. The youth vote played a pivotal role in Barack Obama’s presidential victory. The Obama Campaign in 2008 has proven online engagement can lead to enormous influence—he had more than 3 million Facebook friends, 8.5 million monthly visitors to MyBarackObama.com and 135,000 Youtube subscribers. He's presence was everywhere in the youth-dominated media. By adding Obama as a friend of your own social network, you feel as if you knew him and connect with him. It is at your fingertip to get to know a politician's childhood, life stories and political ambitions and make your own judgement who to vote for. The American youth were never so motivated and engaged with their national election before Obama. Traditional forms of campaign are more targeted at the general public, and have often ignored the importance of a more specific youth group. |
| How come he dies in every movie/series he's in? http://memegenerator.net/instance/27881398 |
Social media enables a two way conversation between politicians and the electorate. Many politicians have their own blogs, websites, Facebook page and Youtube channels through which they can promote themselves and construct an image of how their audience sees them. In the past, the only way to find information about an election or a politician was through television and newspapers. Nowadays, even ordinary citizens can challenge their leaders and get a direct answer from them through media channels. Infact, nowadays it's proven people think a candidate who sends out her own online messages and interacts with voters electronically is more honest.
With the use of social media, politicians have a lot more exposures than ever before and definitely put themselves at an advantage than those who don't. Politicians are no longer just the mysterious figures who we only see on TV. We now can interact with the leaders. In many cases, the integrated use of social media has proven to be much more effective than just one used alone.
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| http://thefw.com/funniest-memes-of-the-week-2/ |
Hey, everyone: I'll be taking your questions online today. Ask yours here: OFA.BO/gBof44 -boYou can read Obama's AMA here.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 29, 2012
Basically, it's probably fair to say Social Media in politics is almost becoming an arms race to see who can get their message out to their costituents in the most creative and engaging way.
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| Bill O'Riely, destroying balanced politics with all kinds of media. |
There is no doubt that social webs have been big contributors to the political landscape. It can be used effectively to get your campaign message out and will become increasingly important in presidential political campaigns in the years to come.
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