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Social media In this modern time and age, social media is being used all around the globe by people of different ages. You can hardly find anyone who is not aware of what social media is. With the constant growth of the technology industry, who is to say that there would not be any new social media tools coming out soon… Influence of social media 1. Types of social media? Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Blogs, Foursquare 2. Why do people use social media? Social media is mainly used by people around the world to stay connected with their family members, relatives, friends or even to meet and get to know new people. It makes it easier for them to keep in touch with one another. It is also a platform for users to keep themselves up to date with the latest news, trends, and everything that is happening in and around them even within minutes of it actually taking place. From the latest world news to the most recent celebrity break ups, users will be updated in an instant. 3. Why are more and more businesses using social media? Social media allows businesses to connect to their customers easily and proactively, allowing them to build a better relationship. This will allow them to have a better understand of the needs and wants of their potential customers. Also, it is one of the cheapest ways to market a brand in comparison to advertising on TV or other traditional methods. You are capable of reaching out to a more diverse market which means that it is very cost-effective. Businesses are also able to research on their competitors. They are able to compare their price and readjust their pricing strategies accordingly. 4. Advantages and disadvantages of using social media? Generally, social medias are capable of generating a lot of positivity if used correctly. They are able to give someone or an organisation a reputable image not just online, but in reality as well. The capability of expanding one’s list of contacts is also a major plus point of using social media. On the contrary, if abused, social media can also ruin one’s reputation. Misusing of social media through cyber bullying is a real cause of concern and it has been going on for years. For businesses, a mistake or an incident might also damage their image as it might be spread around. Also, there is always the probability of your account being hacked.