It is simply amazing how our lives have been greatly revolutionized by the advent of the social media platforms as one of the core areas through which information can be relayed from a single point to another with very minimal effort involved therein (Powlen and Michael). It is evidently clear that social media has in a great way helped human beings close up the communication gap that existed before its invention. By way of definition, since this platform is composed of persons in the society interacting with one other in a social manner, it can therefore be described as an instrument that is used for communication in the most user friendly way possible.
This type of communication is different from the conventional communication platforms like Television and radio which do not have instant feedback provisions. Compared to social media, feedback occurs immediately and therefore, because f this realization, it is safe to say that social media follows the traditional maxims of communication whereby a message sent gets its response in the most efficient, effective and timely way possible (Powlen and Michael). The different platforms used for social media communication have been on the forefront in informing the society about the importance of good nutrition on the development of the body. The commonest forms of social media include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Tumblr (Powlen and Michael). Facebook which is has got the highest following and is used for sharing personal experiences, photos, videos, apps and blogs (Powlen and Michael). Twitter is used for general social networking experiences in addition to micro-blogging. Tumblr is used mainly as a micro-blogging medium in addition to general social networking whereas LinkedIn is a medium where professionals and business persons use to socialize and communicate with each other (Powlen and Michael).
For one to start using these platforms, they are supposed to have operating e-mail addresses and passwords which will be used as their logins into the social media world (Davenport et al.). The logins are used in the creation of the particular social media platforms which are thereafter used for relaying important messages concerning particular topics and also for sending social messages. In order to maintain a good and dedicated following on the sites, it is imperative that one takes into consideration the fact that the tone and the image of the society will be vital (Davenport et al.). As such, the language that should be used in such platforms should into consideration the fact that it is a specific type of message that is being conveyed and as such, making the language as easy as possible to comprehend should be vital. The usage of jargon should be avoided for clarity purposes (Powlen and Michael). In this situation therefore, it is vital to use nutritional terminologies which can be easily understood by the members of the public. It is also important to accompany the conveyed messages with photos and pictures that describe particular topics, events and products to make the messages being sent catchier to the public. As such, there is the need to include photographs that clearly depict how proper nutrition and diet is vital for the anatomical and physiological development of the general public (Tobey and Melinda). For instance, such photographs may be used to show how having plenty of Calcium and Vitamin in one’s nutritive composition is helpful in maintaining strong teeth or photographs showing how marinating a good nutrition regime will be crucial in maintain manageable weight (Tobey and Melinda). It is also vital to post information that is factual and correct any mistakes within the least possible time frame to maintain public trust and respect. However, social media has got its own drawbacks in the sense that cases of cyber bullying are on the rise which has been the leading cause of harassment to certain individual by the users of such sites (Davenport et al.). There are also dangers associated with identity theft where criminals may hack into these systems and use them as avenues for committing crime. Social media can also be addictive thereby acting as a time waster.
I recommend the company to use Facebook and Twitter as their social media platforms in spreading information about nutrition since these two sites have got the biggest followings which translates to a bigger audience being reached (Davenport et al.). Additionally, these two sites are inexpensive to start up and operate and are easily understandable.
References
Davenport, Shaun W., et al. "Twitter versus Facebook: Exploring the role of narcissism in the motives and usage of different social media platforms."Computers in Human Behavior 32 (2014): 212-220.
Powlen, Mark Stuart, and Michael Brandon Ferrel. "Social media platforms." U.S. Patent Application No. 13/588,368.
Tobey, Lauren N., and Melinda M. Manore. "Social media and nutrition education: The food hero experience." Journal of nutrition education and behavior 46.2 (2014): 128-133.
