The use of social media in politics is a new phenomenon in communication research. Similar to integrated marketing campaigns where branding and dialogue are key to success, political campaigns are now using social media to establish the political identity of candidates, educate and attract voters, and disseminate information. Raise awareness, engage with the general public, and seek voting. Social media helps predict voter behavior in addition to traditional political analysis such as party affiliation and exit voting. Understanding the different platforms, their scope, their functions, and their mechanisms are essential to politics in the 21st century. This list provides titles, references, and short summaries of academic articles investigating the evolution and trends of social media in political campaigns.
1. Social networks in political campaigns
Before social media strategies became ubiquitous in politics, candidates struggled to understand and adopt strategies to support their campaign goals, often one social media platform to another. This targeting strategy has generally appealed to college-educated demographics, but as social media adoption has skyrocketed in society, candidate involvement on social media platforms remains unique. You can increase your involvement if you are.
2. Policy customization
Social media allows people to develop their own group IDs across platforms
3. From network nominee to network nation
Cogburn and a colleague take a concrete look at the 2008 President Obama campaign to understand how the Obama campaign transformed online activity into actual participation in terms of funding and voting. Social media campaigns also involved participants and investigated ways to “promote ongoing social movements that affect their management.
4. Political involvement in social media
Citizens are increasingly accessing campaign information through candidate social networks, and it is very likely that “social networks will improve, support, and even motivate participation in political processes. This study shows that online engagement can predict participation in offline political campaigns.
5. College students’ use of online media affects election outcomes
The scholar Kushin and Yamamoto (2013) surveyed various traditional and online media to disseminate political messages, and when translated into an online format, traditional media as well as for political perceptions and interparty surveys. It can be essential to political campaigns.
6. Online democracy?
The author cautions when using social media as a destructive device and encourages its use as a resource for continued involvement and advocacy of political participation, from dialogue to voting and beyond.
8. Youth, internet use, political participation
While the younger generation seems less likely to participate traditionally, show how political messages are consumed on social media, more traditionally.
9. When personal disclosure from politicians improves voting intent
A survey of participants from South Korea examines the impact of male and female candidates posting on social media on their personal lives and how these posts affect voters’ intentions. To be sure, more work is needed to look for prejudices against candidates in real life and on social media.
Best practices for social media and politics
1. Interact with the general public through live video
Social media videos, which act as a sort of alternative to traditional newscasts, allow politicians to deliver their own news and talk to voters in real-time.
For example, many politicians have adopted regular live streaming on Facebook and Instagram as a way for voters and non-voters to interact in the same way. Live video not only talks to voters but also promotes meaningful and enjoyable conversations. Live social video is especially powerful for small local politicians who need to address issues that may not have received extensive news coverage.
2. (Done-) Please check for yourself before posting
Social media acts as a news source for more than half of Americans, and many visit it multiple times a day to stay up to date. It is an understatement to say that political news moves rapidly. That’s why it’s so important to take a proactive approach to false information. This also includes making statements and comments that may have to be backtracked because the confirmation did not take long.
3. Don’t underestimate “young” social platforms
Twitter and Face book are reference platforms for political accounts. And based on social media demographics and the way age groups traditionally vote, this makes perfect sense. But don’t underestimate those who represent the growing foundation of voters interested in activities. For example, more and more lawmakers, senators, and governors are investing in Instagram.
4. Put funding efforts at the forefront
– You already know that platforms like Facebook represent a huge force in funding and advertising spending.
– For reference, you can search for potential politicians in Facebook. Ads Library to see the cost of your campaign.
– Social media and politics are becoming inseparable from the perspective of Facebook’s paid advertising.
– Facebook doesn’t go into the perfect political advertising structure. Just be aware that financing is important to social media and politics.
– In addition to advertising on Facebook, it’s also a fair game to solicit donations via secure links. For example, many candidates place donation links on social bios or as dedicated “fixed” posts.
5. Learn to deal with trolls.
Dealing with burnouts as a social media manager is common. And if you manage social media for political campaigns, you know it well. Unfortunately, all of the above comes with the social media and political realms. Please emphasize the sense of the community in the comments and do not encourage unnecessary fighting.
As a side note, civil servants cannot block people on Facebook. Since social media is considered a public forum, there is much debate about whether it is legal or ethical to do so. Have followers and community members report inappropriate posts. If possible, try to include stronger discrepancies in your direct or private messages, if necessary. Whatever you do, be polite.
6. Recognize that not everyone is interested in politics.
It is apples and oranges that compare social media and politics with companies and brands. Indeed, your goal is to increase your followers and increase your campaign exposure. Some people don’t want to get involved in politics or government on social media. They may be exhausted, they may not want to discuss with anyone, or they may simply be uninterested.