Social Media Promotions

Week 8 Discussion – Social Media PromotionsContext

Watch this video:

. (3:28) before completing the discussion.

Choose one or more of the major social media platforms and find an example of BOTH a traditional advertisement and influencer marketing. TWO EXAMPLES ARE NEEDED. (Note: you can refer to your social media activity this week to review the platforms and their marketing reach.)

Read the

provided by your professor to help you get started.

Post a Response

Please respond to the following:

1. Describe BOTH selections, including the name of the platform.

• Respond in audio and video using complete and coherent statements.

1. FOR BOTH ADS, are the creative elements (words, visuals) of the ad(s) working together to deliver the intended message?

• Why or why not?

1. How credible is the influencer in marketing this product?

• Support your response.

1. Discuss a positive and negative aspect for a business when using a social media influencer to market their product or service.

Response Instructions

• Respond to the discussion with at least four good sentences per discussion question. Make sure you address all points of each bullet, (this includes text, audio, and video responses.)
• Respond in audio and video using complete and coherent statements.
• Remember to post early, so you have an opportunity to engage with peers and faculty to share ideas and create meaningful dialogue.
• Do not copy and paste content from the web. This is a violation of Strayer’s Academic Integrity policy.
• Include academic sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate at the end of the post. Cite each source listed in the body of the post. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the or review. For citing social media resources refer to
• This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Video: How to View the
• .

Respond to a Peer

Be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates posts.

1. Read a post by one of your peers and provide a substantive response, making sure to extend the conversation by asking questions, offering rich ideas, or sharing personal connections.

Peer Response-

Feb 18 12:03pm

Reply from Alexis Cochran

Hello Instructor and Class,

For this discussion, I focused on TikTok because it clearly shows the difference between traditional advertising and influencer marketing. One traditional advertisement I came across was a sponsored post from Grammarly. The ad appeared directly in my feed and highlighted common writing mistakes people make in everyday communication, such as texts, emails, and school assignments. The visuals showed quick before-and-after examples, while short captions explained how the tool improves clarity and tone. These creative elements worked well together because the message was easy to follow and immediately relevant, especially for students. The ad felt direct and purposeful without being overwhelming.

For influencer marketing, I noticed a college-focused content creator promoting Notion in a TikTok video centered around their study routine. Rather than presenting the product as an obvious advertisement, the influencer casually showed how they organize notes, assignments, and deadlines using the platform. The visuals and spoken explanation complemented each other because viewers could see the product in action while hearing how it fits into a real academic schedule. This made the message feel practical and relatable rather than promotional.

The influencers credibility was strong because their content consistently revolves around productivity, organization, and student life. Since their audience already looks to them for advice on managing school responsibilities, the recommendation felt natural and trustworthy. The product aligned well with the influencers established identity, which helped reinforce the authenticity of the message.

Using influencers can be beneficial for businesses because it allows brands to connect with audiences in a more personal and engaging way. Influencers often build trust with their followers over time, which can make endorsements feel more genuine than traditional ads. However, a potential drawback is the limited control businesses have over how their product is presented. If an influencers messaging is unclear or their public image changes negatively, it can impact how the brand is perceived.

Overall, this comparison shows that traditional advertising on TikTok is effective for clearly communicating a products features, while influencer marketing works best when the influencers lifestyle and audience naturally align with the product being promoted.

Alexis Cochran

References

LinkedIn Learning. (n.d.). Influencer marketing.

TikTok. (n.d.). TikTok for Business.

Pew Research Center. (2023). Social media and technology use.