Many Mumblings With Makayla

Over the course of this semester, our Principles of Social Media class has been working on an assignment that allows us to explore what it would be like to manage a professional business social media account. As we progressed through the simulation, we were given promotions and tasks that increased in difficulty, requiring more skill. The company whose social media accounts we manage is Buhi Supply Co., a bag company selling products such as backpacks, purses, wallets, satchels and duffels. The simulation is run exactly like a real business, giving us the experience of managing different social media platforms and collaborating with others to market the product. The first tasks we were assigned as social media assistants (eventually managers) involved analyzing social media brand guides, audits and other resources to determine which strategies worked best for our company. One of the most important resources was data about which social media platforms perform best based on how we market...

In a world where society is ruled by social media engagement and algorithmic programming, Director Jeff Orlowski's "The Social Dilemma" pulls back the curtain we have used to shield ourselves from the price of our lives in the digital world. The documentary was released in 2020, conveniently around the time when just about everyone in the country was glued to their phones. It complies interviews with social media experts that highlight the dangers and manipulation tactics used by our favorite platforms.  I am a firm believer that social media can do a lot of good when used properly. I may be a little biased in that opinion due to the fact that I know when I need to put my screens down and just live in the moment. This film, while clearly dramatized, genuinely revealed to me just how harmful social media can be. So many individuals can be targeted by certain algorithms that spread misinformation and hate, creating poor social media experiences. Subconsciously, I am aware o...

In a world where traditional news outlets are fighting to keep the attention of younger audiences, TikTok has emerged as an unexpected but powerful player in the realm of news outreach. What started off as a platform for dance trends and funny videos has rapidly evolved into the go-to source of information for millions, specifically Gen Z.  The transformation didn’t happen overnight, but it’s undeniable. Scroll through TikTok today, and in between comedy skits and beauty tutorials, you’ll find users breaking down Supreme Court rulings, live streaming debates or providing real-time updates on global events. Whether it’s the war in Ukraine or political scandals, TikTok users get it all with a few quick scrolls and searches.  There are a few reasons why this method of receiving news works: 1. Traditional news can feel overwhelming. TikTok thrives on being concise, offering digestible updates that fit seamlessly into a world that gravitates toward short attention spans. 2.  ...

Two weeks ago, our social media class attended the 2025 Social Media Workshop in McIntosh. We got to listen to a number of speakers from various backgrounds in social media and marketing.  We started the day off with our first speaker, Jason Therrien who is the founder and CEO of thunder::tech. He gave his presentation on how social media has changed the trajectory in which we get information and how to use it to our advantage. Since it was early in the morning, the energy was a little down, but Jason was able to keep everyone engaged in his presentation and made it fun to listen to with his charisma and enthusiasm. Funny enough, that is a skill he said was crucial to master within the world of social media. If you cannot keep your viewers engaged with your content, they'll immediately forget about you and continue scrolling.  My favorite speaker of the day was definitely Rebecca Jenkins who spoke to us about AI and how it's being implemented into most workplaces and is becomi...

As a user of both platforms, I can say there are lots of similarities and differences between the two apps. I, as well as many others who use both apps, have a preference over which one they like to use more. For me, I typically use Snapchat as a way to communicate with my friends and post in the moment pictures and videos. Instagram is the platform I typically use to post long-lasting pictures of my life that I want people to see on my account. I think this is how most people choose to use these platforms. Somewhat recently, Snapchat made public profiles a feature on the app where you can make posts and keep them on your profile for people to see in a similar format that Instagram uses. I can't say that I've ever used that feature or even felt inclined to when I can easily post on Instagram.  I don't necessarily think one app is better than the other, but between the two, Instagram is more popular among older generations while Snapchat is used more by younger people. Insta...

Every X post has a certain amount of text you can write. Traditionally, X posts were limited to just 140 characters, but in 2017, the character limit was expanded to 280 characters. This gives users more flexibility to come up with fun messages, share opinions or engage in discussions. The briefness of X posts is one of the platform's defining features. Whether you're posting a joke, a news update or your thoughts on the trending topics at the time, your message should usually be clear and to the point. A well-written post can spark conversations between many different groups of people. One of the most powerful tools on X are hashtags. They categorize content and make it discoverable by a broader audience. When you add a hashtag to your post, you are linking your content to a specific topic or conversation happening on X. Using trending hashtags increases the reach of your post and connects you to a larger conversation. For example, posts with popular or trending hashtags can h...

As a former X user, I had no idea they had a marketplace on the platform until I read about it in our Essentials of Social Media Marketing textbook. When I used X, I never even realized it was a strong contender for business promotion. However, I used it when it was still called Twitter and when it changed, I didn't even have it downloaded anymore. Looking on the platform, I found that there are lots of ways for businesses to use the marketplace on X to drive their sales up. The shopping feature on X is not just about pushing out content and getting sales; it also offers businesses valuable insights into customer behavior. Through observing engagement, clicks and replies, businesses can gain a better understanding of what resonates with their audience. Additionally, X allows customers to share feedback and opinions about products or services. This open line of communication gives businesses the opportunity to make adjustments or improve their brand based on customer preferences and...

Instagram began as a mobile app that allowed users to share photos with filters, giving everyday people the ability to create aesthetically pleasing content with ease. Fast forward to today, and Instagram is much more than just a photo gallery. It's a multifaceted social network that integrates videos, stories, reels, shopping, and more. This evolution has turned Instagram into a dynamic platform for both personal expression and business growth. One of the most substantial business shifts Instagram has fostered is the rise of influencer marketing. With the ability to grow massive followings, influencers have turned their social media presence into full-length careers. Brands have quickly realized the potential of partnering with these digital celebrities to promote products and services. Whether it’s through sponsored posts, product reviews, or affiliate marketing, influencers are now a cornerstone of Instagram’s business ecosystem. The influencer model is effective because it incr...

When it comes to advertisements within social media, what is the first thing you think of? Maybe it's all the ads that pop up when you scroll on Instagram or Facebook. Do you think of celebrities promoting certain brands by using their products or wearing their clothes? These are all things that cost money for brand marketers and have to be allocated in a budget.  When determining your budget, creating a list of the resources you'll need for your advertisement activities is a good start. In our book, Essentials of Social Media Marketing, it states, "such tools may include social media publishing tools, monitoring tools, reporting and analytics tools, graphic design or video production software, social selling software, etc." This may sound like a lot to get started, but it is all necessary when entering the industry. Setting a budget that aligns with your business goals is crucial, but it’s also important to consider the cost-per-click, which is the price advertisers ...

I have officially made my second podcast! It was such a fun experience, and I had an incredible guest join me to discuss how to run a professional social media account that promotes a theatre company's season. Madi Schenk, a junior musical theatre major with a minor in multimedia production, shared her insights into the role of a social media manager. Madi has experience as a social media manager for the Marion Theatre in Marion, Ohio, where she worked over the past summer. Her tasks included designing posters and playbills, making cast announcements, and capturing video and photo content during rehearsals for social media. Madi spoke about how the design aspect of her job may not seem directly related to social media, but it’s a valuable skill. She emphasized that design skills can be used to create eye-catching posts. She also stressed the importance of staying active on personal social media accounts to keep up with trends and relevancy. Her personal strategy involved scrolling ...

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of daily life, shaping how we communicate, share information, and interact with the world around us. Social media has essentially transformed the way we connect and consume content. Chapter one of Essentials of Social Media Marketing shows us that there are many advantages in utilizing social media specifically for advertising brands and companies, but to that same degree, there are also disadvantages within social media.  The biggest advantages that stood out to me in the chapter were: the increase in brand exposure to larger audiences, improves communication between customers and employees, and increases sales and revenue.  In my personal opinion, the aspect most consumers rely on and value is  authenticity and transparency from the brands they interact with in order to build trust. Those are things that make people want to buy from you. I think using social media makes it so much easier for brands to esta...