Understanding Social Media

Exploring questions of both exploitation and empowerment, Understanding Social Media provides a critical conceptual toolbox for navigating the evolution and practices of social media. Taking an interdisciplinary and intercultural approach, it explores the key themes and concepts, going beyond specific platforms to show you how to place social media more critically within the changing media landscape. Updated throughout, the Second Edition of this bestselling text includes new and expanded discussions of: Qualitative and quantitative approaches to researching social media Datafication and algorithmic cultures Surveillance, privacy and intimacy The rise of apps and platforms, and how they shape our experiences Sharing economies and social media publics The increasing importance of visual economies AR, VR and social media play Death and digital legacy Tying theory to the real world with a range of contemporary case studies throughout, it is essential reading for students and researchers of social media, digital media, digital culture, and the creative and cultural industries.

Understanding Social Media is the essential guide to social media for students and professionals alike. Drawing on the experience, advice and tips from dozens of digital marketers and social media superstars, it is an extensive crowd-sourced guide to social media platforms. Illustrated throughout with case studies from both successful and failed campaigns, Understanding Social Media democratizes knowledge of social media and promotes best practice, answering questions such as 'How do you create a compelling social media campaign?', 'How do you build and engage with an audience?' and 'Where is the line between online PR and social media drawn?' It is the most comprehensive and practical reference guide to social media available.

Instructors - Electronic inspection copies are available or contact your local sales representative for an inspection copy of the print version. Understanding Social Media provides a critical and timely conceptual toolbox for navigating the evolution and practices of social media. Taking an interdisciplinary and intercultural approach, this book provides a clear and concise explanation of the key concepts but also goes beyond specific brands, sites and practices to show readers how to place social media more critically within the changing media and cultural landscape. As an aid to understanding, key concepts in each chapter are illustrated by case studies to give real-world examples of theory in action. Cutting across the many dimensions of social media, from the political, economic and visual, this book explores the industries, ideologies and cultural practices that are increasingly becoming part of global popular culture.

The purpose of this book is to understand the nature of social media and its impact on almost all aspects of modern-day existence. We reveal the effects of social media on users and the changing nature of our social interactions. Our approach is based on Marshall McLuhan's methodology of media ecology.

Preface - Acknowledgements - The Media That Made Social Media Possible - The Social Media Revolution - Social Media and Monopolies - The Splinternet, Cyber Warfare and the Social Media Counter Revolution - Appendix Social Media Apps.

Did you know, NOT EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM IS RIGHT FOR EVERY BUSINESS? As a business owner, you know social media is important and you'd like to get more socially active. However, you may not know where to begin and frankly, may not have much free time to spend hours learning about social media. As a business owner myself, I know how difficult it is to find time to learn something new. That's why I created this short, conversational, and easy-to-understand introductory guide that will help answer some of your questions as well as debunk some common myths and misconceptions surrounding social media. WHAT WILL YOU FIND INSIDE: -Answers to most common social media questions. -Biggest mistakes businesses make in marketing and social media. -Key to social media success -Difference between social media manager and consultant (No, they are not the same thing).-Details on the 10 MAJOR Social Media platforms so you can choose what's best for you (did you know there were that many?)-Social Media Ads Brick-and-Mortar Business vs. Online StoresAdditionally, you will find lists of questions to consider when deciding which platform is right for you, all broken down in easy-to-read text and graphics. Important Disclaimer: I wrote this guide from my personal experience and perspective. It is based on my opinions and does not necessarily reflect the views of other marketing consultants.

Social media offers an opportunity for people to enlarge their exposure to information; information about important changes and trends in technology, markets, government policies, or society in general that can facilitate entrepreneurship, business development, and more. Despite the widespread cultural and social effects of social media in the way people communicate and interact, little research has addressed the role of social media in entrepreneurship. This book fills this gap by exploring the influence and consequences social media has on entrepreneurship at the individual level, group level, venture (firm) level and societal level. Specific social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) will be explored as well as topics such as gender, education and socioemotional wealth.