Zelensky worked hard to draw a smile on his face, while he appeared unshaven, was wearing a military jacket, and assured his compatriots that he was still among them in the capital, and denied the authenticity of reports that he had tried to escape.
In a live broadcast on the social networking site Instagram, which garnered 3 million views in the first hour, Zelensky said: “Good morning all Ukrainians! Recently a lot of false information has been reported on the Internet that I have called on our army to lay down their weapons and leave. Listen to me. I am here”.
During the broadcast, Zelensky appeared standing in the morning sun on the other side of the road in front of his office in Kiev, with the famous “House Withchemeras” teacher behind him.
With this method, which was repeated with him more than once, Zelensky was able to achieve 3 points in his interest, using one smartphone, against the tanks and planes of the Russian army.
Experience factor gives preference
Zelensky is considered an expert in the use of social media. First, he is a former comedian, who knows how to act and communicate feelings, with his facial features and the way he speaks.
Secondly, Zelensky resorted to social networking sites completely, during his election campaign, in which he swept the media of his competitors, because of his spontaneous style, which reached everyone on the Internet.
Zelensky’s experience in acting, and in using YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, is again in his favour, in the new “resilience videos” that he publishes amid the Russian crisis, which the world’s population has begun to circulate positively.
Reaching people’s hearts
Using the smartphone cuts Zelensky a lot short, communicates him “real” to the world, and earns him great sympathy.
For example, Zelensky appeared in a normal dress once, and appeared without a shaven beard again, and appeared in the streets amid the Russian attack. All these factors help him to get closer to the hearts of the world, something he cannot do with the same effectiveness if he resorts to the traditional media.
His message to the Russian people has arrived well, and he has proven to everyone that he is one of them, he is on the streets, he is anxious, and he does not care about his appearance in this difficult time, like any Ukrainian man now.
Rumors denied
Using social media is the best way for Zelensky to dispel rumors that may arise against him.
After news of his escape to the United States, Zelensky appeared on Instagram live, speaking in the center of Kiev, to prove to the world that he was here, and there was no room for rumours.