Social media and politics have become inseparable over the years. Any news that comes out is at the touch of a button in seconds. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter play the role of a public forum where people can chat and comment on their political views and ideas. People still watch the news every night, but social media has become superior when it comes to news. You’re able to go back and see what politicians have posted and not worry about having to wait for the news to say it once more. Politicians can speak directly to the people, rather than hearsay from news correspondents.
When running for office, one of the most important things to worry about in your campaign is social media. By posting political advertisements and being active online, you can get a substantial boost of supporters. The greatest thing about social media, aside from the paid advertisements, is that it’s free to use and still manages to have an enormous impact. It’s essential to figure out which social media works best for your target audience. For example, Facebook is known for having an older audience than those on Twitter and Instagram.
During the 2008 election, Barack Obama used social media to engage with his volunteers and empower voters. This helped him raise millions of dollars and changed the way politicians have viewed social media. Although he was not the first to use social media while running for office, Obama was the first to do it with so much success. Political campaigns still value rallies, phone calls, yard signs, and TV ads, but social media has become an inexpensive way to organize a campaign and allow your voice to be heard.
No matter their party, politicians who are running for office must have some sort of social media presence. Candidates should have a strong brand before going onto social media to send out their message. Social media is high-speed, and one little mistake can ruin things for candidates very quickly. By interacting with supporters and doing live streams where questions can be asked, people are more likely to vote for you. People like to see a candidate they can relate to, and one thing everyone has in common is their use of social media.