Social Media vs. Traditional Media...Which Wins?

I'm a reporter.

Yes, I know, you know that. As a reporter, how I help people is share what I know from being on the inside, so to speak, to help you put together a better story to present to people just like me.

So when I hear that PR folks are no longer needed due to social media, I have to pause.

Social media is an awesome supplement for traditional media. I actually love social media, so don't think that I'm not a fan.

But social doesn't replace traditional media, for several reasons but here are my top three:

• Third-party verification. Of course, you think you're awesome. But when someone else thinks you're awesome, someone who isn't paid to retweet your promo or to say certaing things on a Youtube video, it's still good news.  Reporters are that third party that can objectively -- more or less -- report on what makes you great.
• People still trust the news. Reporters have a way of digging up facts that people still trust and care about. Though you may be able to spread your entertainment quickly via social media, a lot of people don't trust it until it comes from a credible news source.
• Traditional news multiplies social media. When a video goes viral, it's a great thing. And imagine how many more hits the video gets when it gets shown on "Good Morning America."

I love social media. And I love traditional media. The moral of the story? Effective marketing, PR and publicity strives to use a good combination of both.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media relations consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.