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Imagine a fresh approach to equipping students for social media's AI transformation. Here's the stunning revelation: Today, over 80% of companies will use AI in their social media strategies.

But here's what makes this truly remarkable - Chapter 8 of Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, transforms this challenge into an opportunity.

I'm excited to walk you through how this chapter redefines everything we thought we knew about teaching social media. The breakthrough came when we realized students need both AI fluency and human authenticity to succeed.

The real magic happens when students learn to see AI not as a replacement for human creativity, but as a powerful tool to enhance it.

Imagine the possibilities when your students enter the workforce fully equipped for this new era. This isn't just another textbook chapter - it's the missing piece of the puzzle in modern business communication education. Ready to revolutionize how you teach social media?

Order an examination copy of Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, by Bovee and Thill. Unlock our powerful new approach to guiding your students toward career success.

Sprout’s Pulse Surveys dig into the current state of social media, from platform and content preferences to buying habits.

Explore the latest trends and data from the entire digital landscape.

Order an examination copy of Bovee and Thill textbooks.

TikTok has emerged as a powerful platform for business communication.​

In the evolving landscape of communication, AI is no longer a disruptive force, but a collaborative catalyst. 

.Start a class discussion about social media with the questions above.

Here are ten secrets for posting successfully on social media:

Timing Matters: Posting at the right time of day, day of the week, and season can maximize post visibility, engagement, and interactions from your audience. Do research as to the best time to post.

Consistency: Regular and consistent posting can help establish a brand's image in the digital space, which improves content visibility and may help create a loyal following of your work.

Engaging with Audience: Communicating, interacting, and staying engaged with your audience can prompt conversation, encourage brand loyalty and advocacy, and increase long-term social media success.

Engaging Visuals: Posts with high-quality visuals tend to attract more attention and engagement, leading to more sharing and reaching a new audience.

Hashtags: Using the right hashtags can increase your post views and discoverability, driving engagement and widening your audience.

Be Human and Authentic: People are more likely to engage with an authentic, friendly, and relatable brand or influencer.

Know Your Audience & Expectations: Knowing your audience's needs, preferences, behaviors, and communicating in a way that resonates with them can lead to stronger engagement and better conversion results.

Message length: Concise messaging and clear language can improve the readability and impact of the post.

Experiment and A/B Test: Testing different post types, content and styles can help determine what works best, what drives engagement, and how to adapt in an ever-changing media landscape.

Stay on Top of Trends: Keeping up with trends and incorporating them into social media strategies can attract more viewers and engagement, increasing chances of virality.

Posting successfully on social media requires creativity, effort, and strategic planning. It is essential to understand your target audience, the type of content that resonates with them and consistently produce high-quality content that fits within your target audience's expectations.

Business Communication Today and Excellence in Business Communication offer full coverage of social media. Request examination copies of these texts today!

Here are 16 ways that instant messaging can be used effectively in a business context:

Effectively using instant messaging in a professional capacity can aid clear communication, coordination, and timely decision-making within any workplace context.

Set Guidelines: Establish guidelines for professional behavior, message tone, and other aspects of instant messaging to promote clarity and respect within workplace communication.

Use It for Quick and Casual Communication: Instant messaging can be a good way to send quick, informal messages or to ask simple questions without cluttering up inboxes or being interrupted in person.

Choose the Right App: Depending on the needs of your business, choose an app that offers features like flexible and customizable chat rooms, group settings, integrations, and increased productivity.

Use It for Team Collaboration: Instant messaging can encourage team collaboration, which can be facilitated by creating groups for departments, project teams, or individuals.

Respect Time Zones: When sending messages to colleagues who work in different time zones, make sure to choose your words carefully and provide clear instructions, instead of impeding work efficacy and clarity.

Optimize Status Updates: Use status updates to inform your coworkers of your availability when you will be back online or in the office, or busy with project work, etc.

Use It to Eliminate Barriers: Instant messaging can help break down barriers between staff members and increase inclusivity levels, creating a comfortable environment for communication and collaboration.

Use It for Quick Decision Making: A timely collaboration with instant messaging can lead to faster decision-making, improving communication efficiency and idea generation.

Monitor Its Usage: Monitor the frequency and content of instant messaging conversations and address any issues related to its usage that may hinder communication negatively.

Ensure Security: Instant messaging should be used with security measures in place to avoid any security breaches, keeping potentially sensitive business conversations private.

Check Security Information and Privacy Policy: Before implementing instant messaging for business, it is important to check the security information and privacy policy of the messaging app you are planning to use. This will help you ensure that your business data is safe and secure.

Involve Other Departments: Instant messaging can be used to involve other departments in your business. For example, you can use instant messaging to communicate with your marketing team or sales team.

Check The Source, Process And Reviews: It is important to check the source, process and reviews of the instant messaging app you are planning to use. This will help you ensure that the app is reliable and trustworthy.

Redact Personally Identifiable Information: It is important to redact personally identifiable information (PII) from your instant messages. This will help you ensure that your business data is safe and secure.

Delete Old Conversations: It is important to delete old conversations from your instant messaging app. This will help you ensure that your business data is safe and secure.

Here are 30 major trends in business communication.

Simplification: The trend towards using concise, unambiguous, and straightforward language, avoiding jargon, technicalities, and acronyms to enhance readability.

Personalization: Crafting individualized messages for clients and customers using client information, preferences, and experience data, improving engagement, and customer satisfaction. Personalized emails, targeted advertising, and tailored messaging are all becoming more common.

Storytelling: The use of narratives and emotional appeals to capture attention, create a connection between the audience and the business and engage on a personal level.

Visuals: The integration of visuals, graphics, and images into business communication to enhance understanding, audience engagement, and brand equity.

Inbound Marketing: An integrated approach leveraging a mix of useful and valuable writing, SEO optimization, deep consumer insights, and strategic distribution to attract prospects and convert audience into customers.

Mobile-first Writing: The importance of developing content compatible with mobile platforms, including text size, readability, aesthetics, and responsiveness.

Mobile communication: With the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets, mobile communication has become a major trend in business communication. Companies are developing mobile apps and optimizing their websites for mobile devices to reach customers on the go.

5G: 5G mobile internet is being adopted for faster and better video communication.

Software Integration: The marriage of writing with AI-based software to evaluate style, structure and content before publication and offer editorial suggestions. This software integration can help to improve writing quality while minimizing the risk of errors before publication.

Globalization: Writing for a global audience that may include different languages, cultures, and norms, and tailoring communication strategies accordingly to improve comprehension, create a sense of inclusivity, and foster international business relationships.

Social Responsibility: Businesses increasingly being more socially responsible in their communication with the focus on reducing the environmental impact, addressing social problems and injustices, and emphasizing the ethical framework that aligns the organization's decision-making processes with their core values.

Tone Control: Crafting writing pieces that establish an appropriate tone and voice based on the audience, context, and objectives by using modalities such as tone detectors, sentiment analysis, and AI-powered natural language processing (NLP) to maximize both precision and emotional accuracy.

Remote work and virtual communication: These are here to stay, thanks to the rise of cloud-based tools and unified communication channels.

Internet of Things (IoT) technology: This is being used for wireless connections and collecting critical data.

Visible light communication technology: This technology is being used for data transmission using LEDs.

Cloud services: These are being used for secure and reliable data storage. 

Social media: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram have become an important part of business communication. Companies use social media to connect with customers, promote their brand, and gather feedback.

Data-driven communication: With the rise of big data, businesses are using data analysis to inform their communication strategies. Data can help companies understand their audience better, tailor their messaging, and track the success of their communication efforts.

Collaboration tools: As more people work remotely, collaboration tools have become essential for businesses. Tools like Trello, Asana, and Basecamp help teams work together and stay organized.

Multilingual communication: As businesses expand globally, multilingual communication has become increasingly important. Companies are investing in translation services, hiring multilingual staff, and using technology to translate messages.

Virtual events: With the pandemic, virtual events have become a major trend in business communication. Companies are hosting webinars, virtual conferences, and online networking events to connect with customers and partners.

Chatbots and AI: Chatbots and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming more common in business communication. Chatbots can help automate customer service and improve response times, while AI can help analyze data and improve communication strategies. Generative AI, also known as generative models, is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on creating new data or information. Unlike other AI models that are trained to find patterns in existing data, generative models utilize various algorithms for analyzing and predicting new data based on probability theory. ChatGPT is an example.

Omnichannel communication: As customers expect seamless communication across multiple channels, businesses are adopting an omnichannel approach. This means integrating communication across email, phone, chat, and social media to provide a consistent customer experience.

Customer feedback: Businesses are increasingly using customer feedback to inform their communication strategies. This can involve gathering feedback through surveys, social media, or other channels, and using the insights to improve messaging and engagement.

Influencer marketing: Influencer marketing has become a popular way for businesses to connect with customers. By partnering with influencers on social media, companies can reach new audiences and build brand awareness.

Remote work: With more people working remotely, businesses are adapting their communication strategies to support remote teams. This can involve using digital tools to stay connected and collaborating effectively across time zones and locations.

Content marketing: Content marketing involves creating valuable content to engage customers and build brand awareness. Businesses are increasingly using blogs, social media, and other channels to share content and connect with customers.

Transparency: Customers are increasingly expecting businesses to be transparent about their communication and practices. This means being open about company policies, sharing information about products and services, and being responsive to customer feedback.

Brand storytelling: Storytelling has become a powerful tool for businesses to connect with customers on an emotional level. By sharing stories about their brand, businesses can build a stronger relationship with customers and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Cybersecurity: With the increasing use of digital communication tools, cybersecurity has become a major concern for businesses. Companies are investing in cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and prevent cyber attacks that can compromise communication systems.

These are 30 major trends in business communication that individuals and companies can follow to improve their communication strategies. While some of these trends are not novel, every sector continues to evolve with the advent of new technologies and trends, and it is essential for businesses to stay up to date with the recent trends and leverage them to maintain relevancy and enhance their effectiveness.

Bovee & Thill are the leading authors in the field of business communication. Learn more about their blog and their textbooks.

Here are ten of the most important findings that research has discovered about written business communication:

Email Length: Shorter emails tend to be more effective than longer ones in businesses, which leads to better email response rates and improved workplace efficiency.

Tone and Style: Professional tone, coupled with an individual writing style, establish a company's voice, captivates the reader, and conveys confidence when deploying certain communicative styles.

Audience Awareness: Understanding the target audience, their preferences, and needs helps businesses determine the tone, style, and format for their communication, which can enhance readability, understanding, and engagement from the audience.

Active Voice: Active voice provides clear and concise language, making communication more engaging and memorable.

Politeness and Persuasion: Politeness in written business communication, such as the use of please and thank you, can enhance persuasion, increase the likelihood of positive feedback, and foster improved business relationships.

Visual Appeals: Visuals like graphics, images or tabled data make the content interesting and easier to understand and retain.

Brevity: The use of simple language, bullet points, and emphasis on collaboration saves time, enabling more efficient and effective communication and reduces the chances of miscommunication.

Framing: Strategic and discreet framing techniques can emphasize important information, key points and redirect focus when necessary towards significant goals.

Making a Human Connection: Businesses communicating with their audience in a personalized and friendly tone, uses in-joke, or humor can create a sense of relatability and human connection with your audience resulting in better communication and stronger relationships.

Call-to-Actions: Including clear and effective calls-to-action drives engagement, workflows, and encourages interactions between business and its audience or prospects.

These findings offer businesses insights into how written communication can be used to engage, persuade, and build healthy relationships with their audience and stakeholders.

Comprehending the strategic use of language to persuade and engage customers and partners has become more crucial in the modern business landscape than ever before. By paying attention to important elements like language, tone, structure, audience specificity, and visuals, businesses can have a better chance of creating that level of engagement, driving results, fostering goodwill, and keeping communication lines open.

For further information about the leading textbooks in business communication, visit http://blog.businesscommunicationnetwork.com/texts. 

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Temple University faculty member Jay Sinha has a new scholarly journal that outlines how micro-influencers can be key in targeting Generation Z consumers

What are the top Social Media Trends for 2025? · 1. Content Experimentation · 2. Social Listening · 3. Generative AI

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"A new report finds audiences increasingly turning to social media and video for news – with podcasting personalities and AI answers emerging as trends."

Your students are going to enter a workplace where AI isn't just a buzzword—it's a daily reality. How prepared are your students to leverage AI while maintaining the human touch that business communication demands?

Let me explain something that is quite remarkable: The new edition of Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, by Bovee and Thill, doesn't just acknowledge this challenge—it embraces it.

Chapter 7 seamlessly integrates AI throughout its coverage of digital media, providing your students with both the traditional foundations they need and the cutting-edge tools they'll use tomorrow.

Did you know that many companies are seeing up to 30% improvement in communication efficiency when they properly integrate AI tools with traditional business communication practices?

Now, you might be wondering: "Does this emphasis on AI overshadow the fundamental communication principles?" Absolutely not. The chapter carefully balances innovation with tradition, ensuring students master the timeless skills while gaining confidence with emerging tools.

The end-of-chapter material offers comprehensive learning tools, including knowledge tests, skill-building exercises, and real-world cases. Students strengthen understanding through practice, while instructors gain ready-made assessment options and flexible activities for deepening student engagement.

Your students are heading into a workplace where AI isn't optional—it's essential. Isn't it about time you give your students this competitive advantage?

Chapter 7 of Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, by Bovee and Thill. Order an examination copy today and just imagine the possibilities you and your students can experience with this exciting new edition. Prefer contacting your local Pearson Rep to request examination copies?If so, use this Rep Locator

In the digital age, business communication is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by an unlikely force: internet memes. These bite-sized, shareable pieces of content have evolved from simple jokes to powerful tools for conveying complex ideas, building brand identity, and connecting with audiences in ways traditional methods never could.

Optimize your teaching of social media.

Lubomir Kozak, CEO of BulkGate discusses business communication challenges and how they can be solved.

Can AI become your personalized productivity partner? Find out here..

Trying out generative AI tools is a great way to understand their upsides, limitations, and benefits."