5 Ways Social Media is Being Used for Good

As a social media strategist, I spend a fair amount of time online picking through social media sites and stories. It’s a refreshing trend to see social media being used for good. Whether it’s helping people during a disaster, finding jobs or spreading the word about a cause, social media is making a difference in the world. 

Here are five ways social media is being used for good: 

1. Help Needed: Newark Mayor Cory Booker uses his Twitter (@CoryBooker) to get and receive information about the people of Newark. This was especially important during the recent storms Sandy and Nemo. Booker was able to get news from the ground and know exactly who and where help was needed.
2. Sharing is Caring: Twitter is used to share blog posts, press releases and news in a timely and easy fashion. Add a Please RT (retweet) and/or create a newsworthy headline and watch the links get shared. Ask specific followers to share your information to help it reach a larger network faster.   
3. Help Wanted: Social media, especially LinkedIn, is being used by companies and job seekers as a low-cost effective way to source jobs and employees.
4. Find Me: With the increasing popularity of Facebook posts with photos we are seeing more social good posts, not just the ‘love me, love my brand’ posts of the past. Find my child and find my birth parents are two of the most popular photo posts of late.
5. Cause Awareness: A variety of social causes and charitable organizations are seeing the benefits of the free marketing of social media. It’s a cost effective way to share news and information, build awareness and in some cases, raise money.

It’s a breath of fresh air to see social media being used and recognized for helping promote the positive things happening in our society. Do you have a social media for good story to share? Leave a note in the comments below. 

Cynthia Cavoto is the Founder of Firebrand Social Media bringing social media solutions to businesses. She and her team ignite the online fire for businesses to establish and build an online audience on a variety of social media platforms. She can be reached at cynthia@firebrandsocialmedia.com.