Podcasting Project

One of the last topics we are covering in our social media course is podcasts. Podcasts are a great way for viewers to feel connected to the creators. They offer personal interactions about a variety of topics. Podcasts can be formatted into episodes and are usually led by at least one person. Since the pandemic, podcasts have grown immensely. People turned to podcasts for a sense of reassurance and authenticity in their struggles. They were the voices that the people needed to hear.

Ammryn and I chose to work on our podcast together, which I do not think was a surprise to anyone. What could go wrong with Ammryn and I partnering on an assignment where talking is the first criterion? We chose to focus on the issue of authenticity on social media for the assignment. It is hard to figure out when a social media page is showing its true colors. Nothing aggravates me more than when a social media page is a highlight reel. It creates an unrealistic image for followers to have in their heads. If an employer would prefer me to show my authentic self in an interview, I would rather the pages be genuine to the company.

We chose to interview Alyson Hoffman for our podcast, and she was fantastic. Alyson, who is a junior, has a minor in Social Media. Her experiences with social media personally and professionally made her a perfect candidate for the podcast. To our surprise, Alyson did not use any social media accounts until her senior year. She emphasized the importance of setting boundaries with who follows her accounts. A LinkedIn profile would have a more professional following compared to a Snapchat account where the followers are close friends. It is important to know the purpose each platform has in your success. A big note to take from the interview was the appreciation for authentic posts from companies. She preached the importance of seeing a company's values and appreciation for its employees when looking for a job.

Overall, I loved working on the podcast project. It was so fun to create questions and have a sit down with Alyson Hoffman. In addition, Ammryn and I were great cohosts. I left the podcast thinking maybe we could do this weekly. When we came together to edit the podcast, we told each other how much we would like to make these episodes regular. Great minds think alike!

Link: https://soundcloud.com/ammrynandbrooke/podcast-with-alyson-hoffman?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Questions: Authenticity on Social Media

Hey guys! This is Ammryn and Brooke. Today, we are interviewing Alyson Hoffman. She is a Junior majoring in Public Relations, Communication, Marketing and minoring in Social Media. The topic we are discussing today is authenticity on Social Media.

1. When social media is mentioned in the PR world what is the first thing that comes to mind?

2. What do you think influences “power or dominance” on social media?

3. How have you seen different types of authenticities from different companies and or people? (putting on a show vs core values)

4. What are the key elements of an authentic social media page?

5. Should social media be a highlight reel or is it okay to show vulnerability?

6. Have you geared your social media in a specific way for professionals (in the workplace) to see?

7. With the evolution of social media, how do you see it impacting your career?  (professionally and personally)

DID NOT GET TO:

8. What’s the impact that you have seen of ONU's social media accounts and what aspects of the accounts do you view as authentic?

9. What is the most important thing to remember when staying authentic on social media?