Benefits of Social Media

1. Running head: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA? 1
What are the Benefits of Social Media?
Name
Institutional Affiliation

2. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA? 2
What are the Benefits of Social Media?
In today’s dynamic world, social media has become an influential force in shaping
various aspects of life for both individuals and businesses. The new social media technologies
have generated massive benefits by increasing people’s connections and relationships throughout
the world. Therefore, the benefits of social media sites involve the building of social and
professional associations, sharing of ideas and experiences, and dissemination of educative
content among people from different cadres. It stands out as a tool that steers social change,
informing people, sensitizing, and improving lives.
First, social media has helped people in building and sustaining relationships. In the
business world, social media technologies go beyond connecting brands with the consumers, but
it also extends to connecting people. According to Kim et al. (2013), developments in social
media networking have promoted heterogeneity of human interactions, and it has influenced how
activities in civic life are undertaken among people. Relationships are premised on openness to
experiences, a quality that social media has helped in nurturing. In professional fields, it has
become possible for people to build useful linkages and networks through online interactions
(Meyers, 2012). Mentoring relationships have been developed through social sites such as
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, to mention but a few. People who nurture these relationships
develop networks that they can tap as they look for other opportunities and professional
guidance.
Second, social media has promoted the sharing of experiences and ideas. People talk
about what they know and what they would like their social networks to recognize them by using
social media sites (de Burgh, Rong, & Miao, 2012). Experts in different fields can share their
knowledge, and in doing so, they attract various personal and professional connections.

3. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA? 3
Individuals can tap on social media to present their professional experiences, achievements, and
outcomes as they connect with the like-minded persons in different industries and fields. For
those people seeking to build their brands, and reflect their online presence, social media can
help in increasing their visibility. People can share good content through social media platforms
and improving the sharing of ideas as people build relationships.
Third, social media platforms have promoted education and creation of awareness on
pertinent societal issues and concerns. People can learn about recent occurrences or events as
their social networks and news agencies post updates and videos regarding real-time events (de
Burgh, Rong, & Miao, 2012). It can also be used in mobilizing social action in times of crises
apart from sensitizing people on various social threats such as terrorist attacks and other criminal
activities. Arguably, the widespread use of emerging media technologies, coupled with their ease
of use, has played a significant role in attracting many bloggers (Meyers, 2012). The bloggers
use the internet in disseminating essential information relating to various political topics,
celebrity culture and they consider all the views of their fans or audience. Therefore, increasing
blogging and sharing of useful news links has increased social involvement and participation of
all people in the construction of news and images.
In a nutshell, social media has brought people and businesses, and it has promoted
meaningful interactions. People can connect and communicate anytime, and they can hold
meetings or networking events by creating social media pages. A lot of information is shared
through the internet today, and people can use social media in honing in on what matters to them.
Given that it is designed to nurture social relations, social media helps people connect and meet
new friends by forming groups with shared interests.

4. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA? 4
References
de Burgh, H., Rong, Z., & Miao, M. (2012). Responding to an Activist Public: Hangzhou Press
Office rethinks its role. Media, Culture & Society, 34(8), 1013-1027. doi:
10.1177/0163443712455561
Kim, Y., Hsu, S., & de Zúñiga, H. (2013). Influence of Social Media Use on Discussion Network
Heterogeneity and Civic Engagement: The Moderating Role of Personality
Traits. Journal of Communication, 63(3), 498-516. doi: 10.1111/jcom.12034
Meyers, E. (2012). ‘Blogs give regular people the chance to talk back’: Rethinking ‘professional’
media hierarchies in new media. New Media & Society, 14(6), 1022-1038. doi:
10.1177/1461444812439052