Networking Site Working PR

Facebook subscribers are using public relations to their great advantage. The phenomenon that started in 2004 has become one of the largest and most successful networking sites available. With that success comes a new, highly effective way for people to promote themselves as well as organizations, clubs, people, things, etc. Facebook is creating a global tool that is free for its users to position themselves or their preferences to a huge audience. Subscribers may not realize that they are conducting public relations.

As Ryan, the creator of this blog, told our class, “To be a successful public relations professional, you have to be able to sell yourself." Facebook is a great way for users to do just that. People can use Facebook to sell their story and create their own personal image.

And there are other alternatives sites to use as well. Since Facebook is not always seen with high regards in the business world, a good alternative is, Linkedin, a professional networking site. Here professionals can stay in touch with former co-workers and position themselves as high achievers and well connected.

In a world consumed by the Internet, these social networking sites allow you to send your message to a mass audience. People can create groups about anything and everything. For example, fundraising sites such as Free Rice have benefited from the creation of these groups. The Free Rice organization alone has over 500 groups promoting their cause.

Another example, in 2007, Cadbury reintroduced the Wispa chocolate bar for a limited time due to the groups created on Facebook and other networking sites clamoring for the chocolate bar. See the New York Times article titled, Taste of Victory: Online Outcry Revives a Chocolate Bar for proof.

Public relation practitioners would be foolish to ignore the power of Facebook and sites like it. As public relations changes so do its tactics and it is important that we stay updated with the latest the Internet has to offer.

Kiki Millington
JOUR 3279
Blog Assignment