OPINION : GHANAIAN CELEBS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

That most Ghanaian celebrities fail to recognize the crucial role social media plays in today’s world, is a matter of great concern to me. I find it difficult to understand why some simply don’t want to be a part of the new age.

Assuming you are lost as to what social media is or what it constitutes, Wikipedia tells us it is the means of interaction amongst people in which they create, share and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.

Social media networks/platforms that are usually used by celebrities over the world include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Vine, Keek, Google +, Tumblr, Pinterest, Flickr, Vimeo and to a larger extent YouTube. These have become means through which celebrities get to maintain personal and direct contact with their fan base.

I have noticed however that with the exception of few of our celebrities, most dont see the relevance of social media. It’s either they are not signed on to any of the above or their existing ones are poorly managed.

It’s important to have a social media presence same way it is to constantly put out your works in the conventional media. Current trends show the former is fast overtaking the latter.

Social media is definitely the place to be if an individual or company is interested in promoting a brand.

I am not saying you should be loud and everywhere at the same time. One or two won’t hurt; Beyoncé maintains a decent Tumblr account , and barely tweets, but she’s managed to get millions to pay attention to her works, even with a single active channel.

In local circles an argument about time probably being the reason why most of these celebrities don’t get to own social media accounts has been raised often. That’s okay, but how about employing someone to do that job? I had a chat with a member of the management team of a Ghanaian celebrity and he told me about how he always took charge of the administration of his artiste’s page when fans asked him questions or his opinion on an issue he had little knowledge of.

Result? The artiste benefits from a controlled platform that projects him positively in the eyes of teeming loyalists.

Suffice to say all hope is not lost; at least the likes of Lydia Forson, DJ Black, Yvonne Nelson, Wanlov, Deborah Vanessa, M3nsa, Joselyn Dumas, Paapa, Mutombo Da Poet Caroline, Manifest, Funny Face, Juliet Irahim, Reggie Rockstone, Jessica Opare Sarforo and Jayso, Nana Aba Anamoah, Efya and Van Vicker are doing something right.

The verdict is out there; you choose how to position your brand. Need we harp more on the benefits? The time is now. Be part of the growing number of people doing something different by going online. Open a social media account today! Go and sin no more.

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