Minds On

The social influencer

What social media applications can you think of?

Which ones do you think are most popular? Why?

Press ‘Definition’ to reveal the definition of social media application.

Social media application : An interactive technology where people create or share information and ideas through virtual communities and networks (e.g., Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, etc.).

Social media applications are used heavily by social influencers. An influencer is someone who uses different social media applications to express their opinion on specific brands or products. They influence their captive audience. Can you think of any social media influencers? Consider the power social media influencers have.

Brainstorm

Brainstorm

Brainstorm some of the products or ideas influencers promote, and the strategies they use to promote them.

  • What strategies are being used by social media influencers to communicate with their intended audience?
  • How are these ideas being stated or implied in their communication?
  • How do social media influencers change the value of a product?
  • How do social media influencers guide your decision-making, or influence your behaviour or attitude?

Action

Communicating with an audience

Task 1: Reviewing

Using the strategies discussed in the Minds On section, work as a team, if possible, to put your knowledge into action. In groups of one, two, or three, review a popular product, idea, or service of your choice.

Consider the following…

  • How is this product, idea, or service being promoted to an audience?
  • What tools are being used by the presenter to persuade or influence your decision to value or invest in the product, idea, or service?

Create a list with your group using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Task 2: Planning

Brainstorm

Brainstorm

Now apply what you know on your own. Brainstorm an idea, product, service, or activity that you’d like to promote. Choose an original idea – not one that has already been publicly promoted.

  • What strategies can you use to make an effective presentation?
  • How will you present your ideas to connect with your audience?
  • What words and phrases will you use to communicate your message effectively?
  • How will your information be presented to capture your audience’s attention?

After brainstorming, you will create a presentation using a medium of your choice to convince your audience to try your idea, product, service, or activity.

Let’s get started...

First:

Think about the following questions:

  • What are you promoting?
  • Why do people need to hear about this?
  • What makes it so great?

Next:

Research what you want to promote by finding out all possible information to share with your audience (e.g., an electric bike, or an app to save your passwords.) When researching, you should always gather your information from a variety of sources.

  • What information can be used to persuade or influence your audience?
  • What words stand out to you? Why?
  • How can you use this information to communicate effectively with your audience?
  • What specific language should you use to explain the qualities of your subject so that your audience understands your point of view?
  • What words or phrases can you highlight? How will you highlight this information to appeal to your audience?

Then:

Think about how you will communicate your message.

  • How will you grab your audience’s attention and keep them engaged?
  • How will you use different communication strategies to persuade your audience?

Last:

Create your presentation. You can create your presentation using paper, on the computer, a descriptive audio clip, speech-to-text software, or a method of your choice to share your product, idea, or service. Note how you will use communication strategies to effectively connect with your audience.

Consolidation

What or who influences you?

Find a product, service, or idea that has influenced you to become aware of it, or has made you buy it. Where did you encounter it – social media apps, television, magazines, or radio?

Reflect on the power that influencers have over our decisions, and how they effectively communicate to persuade or influence their audience.

  • How can communication strategies be used to persuade an audience? Consider how tone, pace, pitch, volume, and word choice can be used out loud or in writing in order to influence a person’s choice.
  • How is this used by the social media influencer to communicate messages about the product, service, or idea?
  • What is important to consider when taking someone else’s recommendation?
  • How might you re-create the item being recommended to you in a more effective way? What things will you change?
  • How can you appeal to another audience?
  • How will this impact the way you communicate the product, service, or idea that was presented by the social media influencer that you selected?

Now it’s your turn to influence an audience. What is something that everyone should know about? Something that everyone should try? Something that everyone should understand? What strategies can you use to capture your audience’s attention in order to influence their thinking?

Create a brief video, audio clip, or detailed written description that will demonstrate that you know how to influence your audience!

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.