A Rise in Relatability

 Without a doubt, social media has consumed every aspect of our world. Politics are no exception to this wave of technology. Over years, candidates and politicians have adjusted their mediums to keep up with different audiences. The first presidential candidate to use social media for their campaign was Barack Obama in 2008. Although social media was still new to the game at this point in time, it gave candidates an entirely new way of accessing the global audience. 

Before television and radio, audiences could only read about their candidates. While television and radio allowed audiences to watch and directly listen to candidates, it still does not hold the same impact as social media does. Social media platforms allow for two-way communication from politicians and a wider audience. Because of this, people from all over the world are able to interact and engage with their favorite candidates on the daily. This allows for audiences to ask questions and directly comment on a politician's views. 

This also allows us to see the scale of support a candidate has based on how well they are received on a platform. Social media has made campaigning a whole different game. A study has shown that after a month of opening a social media account, politicians made 1-3% of the money they would have made in a traditional 2-year campaign. 

Social Media has become a powerhouse for politicians and an amazing tool for those campaigning. It allows candidates to reach new audiences, bridge social gaps, and interact with the people who are supporting them.

Source: https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/podcast/knowledge-at-wharton-podcast/how-social-media-is-shaping-political-campaigns/