Everyone is talking about social media...

As I continue my research regarding Social Media, I am finding many articles in newspapers and business journals addressing the topic. Articles in the newspapers talking about how communities use social media to connect and how businesses are using social media. The business articles talk about how social media is very effective form of PR/Marketing, especially in such financially uncertain times. Social Media is free, or very cheap if not free, and businesses can promote, advertise, and gain feedback from customers easily. However, some people are concerned that you will lose control of your strategic message since it is online and anyone can comment on it. On the PRSA website you can find different conferences and seminars regarding social media and how to incorporate it into your plan. It seems that social media has taken over society, in both personal and business minded ways. I still think it is weird that there is very little scholarly research on the topic. If it effects so many individuals, and almost every aspect of thier lives, I think we should be researching social media more. We need to know what kind of impact social media is going to have on the way people communicate and how businesses communicate with their publics.