By Rusa Bhowmik
The world is now one big network. Anyone in any time zone can connect with anyone else, and social media is where much of that happens. When this piece was written, Statista estimated that people spent around 145 minutes a day on social platforms. Like any tool, social media has real benefits and real risks.
Opportunities
Social media has created whole new kinds of work, from data collection and sentiment analysis to translation of posts and campaigns for different markets. Its power lies less in the apps than in the people who use them, and in how well they use them.
Risks to manage
- Data manipulation. Platforms shape what users see based on engagement, which can do harm over time.
- Oversharing. Keep personal information to a minimum, so a leak cannot be misused.
- Unverified contacts. Check who someone is before connecting.
- Trolls and fake accounts. Ignore them. Engaging only brings negativity and can expose you to scams and cyber attacks.
Leveraging your network
Building a network, in person or online, is essential for doing well inside any industry. Used well, it is an investment of ideas, money and time that pays back for everyone involved. Even weaknesses can become strengths when the right connections fill the gaps.
A practical start:
- Create a professional profile with carefully planned content.
- Decide who your target audience is, so your reach grows in the right direction.
- Promote your work consistently to build a credible digital footprint.
The PTC skill set
In a Modlingua session, Dr. Amit Nagpal, President of Bloggers Alliance, described social media as the new game and suggested developing PTC skills: Personalisation, Trust and Connection. PTC helps create new connections and strengthen existing ones. Mutual admiration and cross-promotion add further leverage.
The pandemic made social media even more central to doing business and building relationships. Treated as a professional tool rather than just entertainment, it can open doors, including in new language markets. Reaching those audiences well often starts with quality translation.
