Perhaps the most spectacular technological advance in recent history has been the development and growth of computing and the tools and applications that have come with it. Almost all of us use computing everybody, whether through laptops, mainframes, mobile phones, computers that control how cars perform, in elevators, smartwatches, fitness tackers, thermometers for checking BBQ meat temperatures and so on. For practitioners, this “new” technology has provided exciting prospects for faster, better and more efficient ways of contacting target publics when that is the most appropriate approach.

This exercise will help you to understand how pervasive modern social media technology is in all aspects of professional communication.

1. Use your search engine to find out how many people:

2. In the United States say their purchasing decisions were influenced by social media. If you don’t live in the United States, can you find this data for your country?

3. Read customer service–related tweets every week 4. Use Facebook—and how has this changed from 10 years ago; how many are estimated to use Facebook in five years?

5. Use at least one social networking service—and has that changed in the last five years?

6. In the United States (or your country) watched online video content in May of last year.

7. Use internet banking services.

8. Used an e-book reader in January last year (think after Christmas!).

9. Had a telehealth conference with their doctor.

10. Booked entertainment tickets online.