Social Media Research Paper

Social Media for Business Communication

a) Evaluate the usefulness of social media in communication and decision making for an organization with which you are familiar.

I have limited information on the effectiveness of social media at the City of Cleveland. During the interview with Ms. Johnson, she stated:

"While working for the City of Cleveland, social media plays a major role in how our organization effectively communicate to our stakeholders. Information that needs to be communicated effectively and efficiently has done by way of web, with the City of Cleveland website, which provides our stakeholders with an abundance of information. The City of Cleveland also use social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as their communication channel to reach our stakeholders to provide information as well" ( Johnson, 2013).

"Prior to social media being as popular as it is today, communication was provided by regular U.S. mail, email blast and through community newsletters, which was very costly to the City's budget. Now with communicating through electronic means, information is provided more effectively and by a faster means. Electronic communication is also forwarded to other stakeholders by sending a link in an email that is directly transmitted to other stakeholders to inform them of curtain information as well" (Johnson, 2013).

I find this to be credible, because I receive newsletters regarding things like; trash pick-up, new recycling trash cans and what's going on in the Cleveland area. I also, receive newsletters form the Mayor, called the Mayor's action line. Being in the community, when there is a crisis I like to know what is going on in my city.

Strengths of the interview

* They communicate with the community.

* Their website have a lot of information.

* Use of the career opportunities.

* Community awareness.

Weaknesses of the interview

* Not enough information.

* Too many loop holes to speak to the Mayor.

* Confidential information

* When in a crisis the community is the last to know.

Compare and Contrast the academic research methodology used in workshop three with the interviewing methodology used in this workshop.

When I look over my articles, I found that there was a lot more information than what I received from my interview. I know that Johnson can only tell me curtain things, due to the confidential information that the City is dealing with. My articles had a wealth of information to can lead me to more information that is credible. The interview and the articles share networking media to get the product or service out to the public. Using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for community awareness.

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b) Compare and contrast with best practices on effectiveness of social media for that type of organization.

In this paper, I will compare and contrast the City of Cleveland and the City of Austin, Texas:

Social media plays a major role in both Cities. Austin is centered on high tech innovation, while Cleveland centered on internet innovation. Cleveland is the city that encourages internet access in the low income community, Cleveland also has an abundance of broadband infrastructure in the downtown area. "While Austin has a strong track record of community activism in low income communities they also deal with literacy and economic vitality. Austin lacks a well-developed infrastructure of community development, making it difficult to implement community access initiatives" (Putnam, 1993).

Cleveland and Austin has the unique standards of internet and the economy. In Austin the economic growth has been rapid according to Putnam. "Austin remain aggressive in digital downtown that will engage the promise to attract multimedia developers and encouraging technology literacy for low-income people" (Putnam, 1993). "Additionally, community activists have begun to attract government funds from all levels, but Austin has been hurt during the economic downturn. However, Cleveland remains a manufacturing city with no real reputation as a center for innovation or internet activity" (Putnam, 1993). In my opinion, Cleveland has developed the digital vision coalition that distinguishes from other cities. Cleveland also lack the sort of entrepreneurial tradition that would help make fast progress in the new economy.

c) Create a social media communication strategy for your organization