Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to investigate factors affecting the use of social media in public relations ; to study the effectiveness of using social media in public relations ; and to study the strengths and weaknesses from using social media in public relations work. This research was qualitative research using in-depth interviews with people involved in PR/coordination and studying data from documents as well as from social media sources. The results of the study are as follows: 1.Factors affecting the use of social media in public relations work of Lamphun Municipality, Muang District, Lamphun Province: Public relations factors included the process of conducting public relations divided into internal and external public relations processes. Reaching the target audience for online publicity such as Facebook , website and YouTube as the main channel. Communication factors include the way the Facebook channel communicates in line with the website channel for disseminating news. However, the YouTube channel is mainly used to distri bute videos. The nature of communication is mainly visual and text communication in parallel and communication by recording activities as videos. The form of communication is visual communication by annotating the news and attaching a link to the website for more information: 2. Effectiveness of using social media for public relations: The adoption of online media resulted in information spreading more quickly than offline and reaching people in the community internally , and externally conveniently and thoroughly across all target groups. There were 4 main channels, the Lamphun Municipality website, Facebook page, Medical Division Public Health Center Facebook, YouTube, as well as
Lamphun Municipality visits to meet and speak to educate and create understanding for people every month; 3. Strengths and weaknesses in using social media for public relations Internal environment factors which are divided into 2 factors: Strength, the area responsible is a small space that is easily accessible. As a result, the use of online media for public relations has resulted in people in the municipality receiving news thoroughly and quickly . Weaknesses, municipalities are government agencies with budget constraints. There is a disbursement regulation that is not conducive to public relations activities. External environmental factors were divided into 2 factors: Opportunities, such as when a major event occurs or crisis, receive support and cooperation from the media in all relevant sectors. Threats such as political-social crises and disasters affecting local communities The municipality has addressed the issue by preparing for corporate crisis communications.
In conclusion, the factors affecting the use of social media and public relations work are to create knowledge and understanding for people in the area to approve the mission of the municipality by disseminating and clarifying through various types of media so people in the area can understand the policies, objectives and activities of the municipality thoroughly and quickly. Effectiveness of using social media for public relations shows the municipalitys public relations spreads faster than ever before and reached more people in the community, even though certain target groups, such as the elderly, who dont have access to social media. The municipality has solved the problem by publicizing through voice calls and signage for timely awareness of information. Social media makes it possible to distribute news quickly and conveniently to people in the area, but sometimes it is not possible to communicate directly to the target audience. This makes it impossible to use online media alone. Therefore, the municipality uses offline media to solve problems for people who do not have access to social media, such as the elderly and disabled.