Social Media and Traditional Media

Traditional Media

   The non electronic mediums which works as part of our culture and as vehicles of transmitting tradition from one generation to another generation is called traditional media.

   Traditional tools of communication are developed from the beliefs, customs, and rituals practised by the people. These are very old and deep-rooted. Thus, traditional media represents a form of communication employing vocal, verbal, musical and visual folk art forms, transmitted to a society or group of societies from one generation to another.

Social Media
   Social media includes web-based and mobile technologies used to turn communication into interactive dialogue. That is to say, social media as a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. Social media is media for social interaction as a super-set beyond social communication.
   Social media technologies take on many different forms including magazines, Internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, microblogging, wikis, podcasts, photographs or pictures, video, rating and social bookmarking.

Roles between social media and traditional media.

(how social media has influenced traditional media)

   People in this age group do watch TV and listen to radio and recorded music somewhat less today than 30 years ago. The same trend can be observed for reading, especially when it comes to educational textbooks and nonfiction. However, children and adolescents still use traditional media more than the internet. In fact, schoolchildren (age 9-14) spend a whole 75 percent of their media time on traditional media; for the age group 15-24 the proportion is 60 percent.

   Facebook has a greater reach among young people than newspapers, and almost the same reach as TV. And the reach of the digital music service Spotify comes close to that of radio. However, this does not mean that everything that has to do with the internet automatically becomes popular. For example, relatively few young people use tablet computers, e-books and Twitter. Those are largely adopted by adults and business people. Yet the use of smartphones has increased by several hundred percent in only two years.
   It should be noted that there is no direct negative correlation between internet use and the use of traditional media. Instead, the most intense internet users are also heavy consumers of traditional media.

Roles between social media and traditional media.

(ways that traditional media is adapting to remain competitive)

Traditional media still has an important role to play.

• Use traditional media as a social driver. Use print, outdoor, radio and other traditional media to promote your social channels.
• Use traditional media as the prize. Develop a contest on your social media channels. It could be photos, videos, telling a joke on the Facebook wall, etc.
• Continue the story on social media. Traditional media may reach the masses, but you’re often limited in your print and billboard space or your television and radio running time.
• Be open for feedback. With social media, communication is two-way. Your audience can provide thoughts and opinions about your campaigns. Welcome them! Let traditional media spread your message while social media captures the feedback.
• Promote online content. As experts in your industry, you likely have a lot of great content to share. Use blogs, eBooks, webinars and other online avenues to share this helpful content with your audience.
• Respond with traditional media. If you’re listening on the social web and you’re discovering some repeating complaints, engaging in social media is a great way to learn more and dispel any rumors. However, you can make your message louder by using traditional media.
• Organize offline events with online media. Traditional media can also include conferences and event.
• Test with social media. If you have a new product, campaign idea or service to share, consider tapping into social media.

   *These are also ways to integrate social media into your traditional media efforts.