Understanding Crowdsourcing

Without a doubt, social media has its perks!

For individuals like me, in the public relations sphere, a lot can be done by using the tools available to us on social platforms. Not only is social media a way for the public to learn about companies and hear PR messages, but also for professionals to gain more insights into their audience, topic, and current events.

A major concept associate with the use of social media in PR and Journalism is crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining information or input into a task or project by enlisting the services of a large number of people, either paid or unpaid, via the internet.

There is no doubt that crowdsourcing is widely used due to its benefits. For example, this method is often cost savings, speedy, and allows for more options and scope on a given topic. Here are some examples of what crowdsourcing can look like:

• Voting—prioritizing which stories reporters should tackle.

• Witnessing—sharing what you saw during a news event.

• Sharing personal experiences—telling what you know about your life experience.

• Tapping specialized expertise—contributing data or unique knowledge.

• Completing a task—volunteering time or skills to help create a news story.

• Engaging audiences—joining in call-outs that can range from informative to playful.

The internet and social media has become a kind of free-for-all information library that’s updated by people from around the world, 24 hours a day. Because the normal man in the street can be at a scene sometimes long before journalists are, it becomes an important source of information – especially on online news and social networking services like Twitter. Crowdsourcing: How The Guardian, ProPublica and Vox Media are doing it

Without a doubt, one of my personal favorites real-life application of crowdsourcing is this application called Waze. Waze is one of the most successful crowd-powered applications, according to Tweakyourbiz.com. Within the app, users can report traffic jams, accidents, police, and speed cameras, and other users on the route will automatically be notified. Although the application works much like a GPS this added tool gives Waze preference over other applications with the same functions.

Although I strongly believe that this tool is very valuable, there are definitely some risks… as the individuals usually used in crowdsources are common citizens, there is a large possibility that the information may not be reliable. Nevertheless, I think it is worth it to give it a shot!