Social Media

Introduction

Even though there is a huge possibility that negative feedback can be used against a business in a quicker and more harmful manner via the internet, social medial has allowed the businesses of today to greatly expand their advertising and research capability and to really “get the word out” about their products and/or services. Word of mouth is the best form of good and bad advertisements in the business world. Social media sites have added to the ability to send quick messages about a product or service. The fact that a friend suggests a product or service has a tendency to lead to more business. Business operators today know this fact and capitalize on the fact that vast numbers of internet users see the information they advertise on the social media sites. The sheer numbers of internet viewers lead to increased numbers of interested parties that research the products and services offered by businesses on the social media site.

This paper will discuss the availability of social media and how its use can affect businesses and business applications. All businesses rely on advertisements to get the word out about the services available through their particular business. Until recently the traditional way of advertising a business was in print (newspaper, magazine, flyers and billboards), television or radio. Some have even used blimps and airplanes pulling banners to get the word out about their businesses. With the invention of the internet and the huge number of internet users it was inevitable that business would begin to advertise via this mode. With the huge spike in social media sites on the scene businesses have a new approach to advertising, actually being part of the social media craze.

Social Media

In order to understand how businesses utilize social media one must first understand what social media actually is. In simplistic terms, media is a form or instrument of communication just like newspapers or radio. That simply...