Blog Post #7: Public PLN – Balancing PLN & Public Discourse

HOW DO NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS USE SOCIAL MEDIA?

With the emergence of social media, it has become easier for individuals to build their brand image and establish a digital identity, fame, and reputation. Different types of notable individuals use social media for different purposes and focus on different groups of people. Politicians often utilize social media platforms to express their thoughts and, at times, to influence and persuade people with their ideas. Experts might use social media to showcase their accomplishments, work, conclusions, and more. 

There is another type of notable individual, the ‘Internet Celebrity.’ Numerous notable influencers have achieved fame solely through their presence on social media. These individuals have gained their fame and notability primarily through online platforms. The rise of social media has greatly expanded people’s ability to reach a global audience, providing them with many opportunities for recognition. Social media plays a significant role in connecting with fans, receiving feedback, and gaining insight into public preferences. Platforms such as LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and more allow individuals to showcase their work, express their thoughts, connect with people, and build their personal brand.

BENEFITS OF BEING IN THE PUBLIC EYE AND HAVING A PLN

The benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN are numerous. As human beings, we all have the desire to be loved, noticed, praised, and recognized by others. Social media plays a pivotal role in increasing visibility and expanding reach. The more individuals are in the public eye and possess a well-established PLN, the larger and wider their audience becomes. 

Notable figures on social media possess the power to influence and impact individuals, society, and the world on a larger scale. They have the ability to shape public opinion, initiate conversations, and share important messages, advocating for causes and effecting positive or negative changes. According to a post written by Nitish Birla on LinkedIn, social media has significantly contributed to democratizing conversations, shaping public opinion on political issues, and transforming the way political campaigns are conducted (Birla, 2023). 

Having a PLN is the initial step toward being in the public eye. As discussed in many of my previous posts, it revolves around knowing notable individuals and the size of your PLN. A PLN helps establish your digital identity, engage in public conversations, build trust, express your thoughts, get public support, and much more. 

RISKS OF BEING IN THE PUBLIC EYE – A PUBLIC FIGURE IN A POSITION OF TRUST

Public figures in positions of trust have to be extremely cautious on social media as they are significantly influencial and are constantly under public’s eyes. They face various risks, including reputation damage, misinterpretation or misrepresentation, privacy invasion, online harassment, and more. Considering that they are watched 24/7, it becomes significantly challenging to separate their personal and professional lives, resulting in less protection of their privacy. Messages communicated in a media space can easily be taken out of context or misinterpreted by the audience, leading to misunderstandings and misinformation, potentially damaging the public figure’s image significantly. Even if unintended, public figures may face overwhelming backlash, online harassment, and even cancellation. The more trusted public figures are, the easier it is for them to lose trust. Reputation, trust, and fame come with risks, responsibilities, and pressure to uphold.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY WITH ONLINE TOOLS PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER

Companies utilize various tools, software, and social media platforms to facilitate communication, foster team culture, and enhance bonding among employees. These tools are specifically intended for internal use and often come with certain restrictions. 

The benefits of using these provided tools to build a community include establishing stronger and deeper relationships, minimizing exposure to negativity, and facilitating knowledge sharing, which further supports the development of your PLN. 

However, as I mentioned earlier, there are also some limitations. Reach may be restricted, as the audience is your colleagues – limited perspectives. Additionally, privacy issues may arise. According to an article written by Mark Johnson, employees should assume that any activity performed using work-owned and issued equipment, including written communications or websites visited, is subject to review (Johnson, 2022).

ADDRESS NEGATIVE REPLIES AND CRITIQUES THAT REFLECT YOUR PERSONAL VALUES AND EMPLOYER’S SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

The best approach is to separate your personal and professional social media accounts. With a digital identity and online presence, exercising caution regarding what you post, share, say, and comment on is vital. As social media continues to gain influence, it is natural for employers to establish policies and rules to ensure that employees’ online presence does not negatively impact the company’s brand image.

When maintaining an online presence, it is important to avoid being easily influenced by fake news or misinformation and to consider the information you share carefully. Conduct thorough research and gather sufficient information before expressing your perspectives, particularly on sensitive topics. When addressing negative replies and critiques that reflect your personal values, individuals should remain calm and professional.

Respond logically and positively! – demonstrating you are open to diverse perspectives. This will further help you receive support in the long run and build an allyship with the public. 

References

Johanson, M. (2022, February 25). Are your work messages as private as you think? BBC Worklife. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210813-are-your-work-messages-as-private-as-you-think

Solutions, E. T. (2017, July 21). Using Social Media To Build Your Personal Learning Network. Education Technology Solutions. https://educationtechnologysolutions.com/2017/07/using-social-media-build-personal-learning-network/

Birla, N. (2023). The Role of social media in shaping public opinion and political discourse. www.linkedin.com. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-social-media-shaping-public-opinion-political-discourse-birla