Emerald | How to disseminate your research via social media

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> About Emerald > #RealWorldResearch > How to disseminate your research via social media

Social media is prevalent in everyday life: in social settings; corporate environments; and within the scholarly community. It is a valuable tool which can help you with your research before, during and after publication. By using social media effectively, you can increase the impact of your work and positively influence communities. Additionally, you can use social media as a means of meeting and sharing ideas with other researchers in your respective field, thereby expanding your scholarly networks.

The important thing to note is that, although social networks are indeed "social" and play an increasingly important part in people's everyday lives, social media is still underused as a way of disseminating research within the academic community, as many researchers and authors underestimate its importance. Here at Emerald, we are committed to supporting our authors along every step of the academic journey to ensure your research makes the real-world impact it deserves. As such, we have created some features and tools to help you make best use of the social media platforms freely at your disposal.

By using social media to its full potential, you could:

Boost the influence your research has within your chosen field
Create greater interaction and collaboration with other experts in your field on a global scale. This may include people you would not normally have the chance to work with or that you've wanted to network with for some time
Benefit from the expertise of other researchers that can provide a sounding board for your ideas before, during or after the research process. A bit like an informal version of peer-review, with the main aim being to help enrich your work
Raise the profile of your research
Extend the reach of your research to include publications you may not have originally considered
Ultimately give your work an enhanced opportunity to have real-world, far-reaching impact

Social media for authors infographic

A quick-reference guide to help you effectively use social media to disseminate your research. (click on the image below to see more)

Social Insight

Researchers often use social media platforms to find, use and disseminate information thanks to its accessibility. Social media platforms enable users to share content quickly and – as so many people now have smartphones – put research at people's fingertips. It is therefore important that you direct people to your research via the DOI as this will allow you to track downloads, citations and help improve the impact of your work. Make sure you also tag and "like" relevant posts to improve your visibility within your chosen community. Plus, social media encourages reciprocation, so make sure you share other researchers' work and social media content too.

Social media platforms are forums where people can also discuss developments in research and academia in general. They really have become a go-to place for people looking for insight into certain topics. When it comes to conducting your own research, you can also use the various sites to monitor and contribute to conversations of interest to you and your work.

One thing to remember is that there is no single right way to do things! You will eventually (or very quickly) find your own style and voice and become part of a research community you may not geographically be able to access. As a final note, think about the tone of your social posts: ensure that tone is appropriate with regard to your work and the community you are looking to engage with. Understanding your audience will help you successfully disseminate your research and generate greater real world impact.