With over one billion users on Facebook and one hundred and fifty million users on Twitter, social networking is the ideal way to advertise a company of any kind. “With 98% indicating they had a page on the social networking site. Respondents noted that Facebook  provides a variety of flexible ways to reach communities” (Peter, p.8, 2010) Social networking spreads news of performances and theatre companies viral. With 98% of people indicating they had a page on social networking sites it is a clear indication that theatre companies strive from posting virally to different members of Facebook and other sites. With the use of media such as photos, videos, sound recordings and links, social networking sites allow companies to advertise themselves and their upcoming performances. Almost every household in the country has access to the internet and this is making it an exciting and useful way to communicate with the public.
Advertising on Facebook, Twitter and online blogs allows theatre companies to advertise without charge to a wide section of the public. Members of the social network are then able to share, like and comment on the various posts the company make. This then makes the company information available to an even wider audience.
Social networking also enables theatre companies to document the progress made, and the development of their work. Small private groups can be formed for the members of the theatre company to communicate with other members.
Similarly to Facebook, online blogging allows for posting documentation and shows the development of progress. More information can be displayed on a website and blog, allowing the public to find out more details about the company and performance.
‘Tweeting’ is a quick and simple way to advertise with the use of ‘hash tagging’, enabling members of the theatre company to hash tag a word or phrase; for instance ‘#WAKEUP’. In doing this the public would be able to click on the hash tag to see what other tweets have been formed in relation to the tag. This is a relevant way of communication as the public can hash tag and leave comments as to what they would like to see from the theatre company or what they have seen.
WAKEUP Theatre Company use Facebook, Twitter and blogging to advertise and communicate with the public. Facts are posted and tweeted weekly based on the current progress of the company. The manifesto and mission statement are available on all social networks allowing the public to read these at any time to understand the ambitions and current focus of the company. The blog also enables people to view who the company are individually and what projects are being devised.

Social networking is such a popular way of communicating with society that it seems appropriate for WAKEUP to do this through using Facebook, Twitter and blogs. This way the performers in the group can share and ‘retweet’ what the company puts on the website allowing them to deliver information virally. The twitter feed is also available on the blog, this allowing people who see the blog the chance to see more posts by WAKEUP.

 

Peter, Richard (2010) Social Media Marketing takes Center Stage.