During the past year, my colleagues and I have been asked how communities can promote themselves using social media. At first glance, it seems straightforward: sign onto a social networking site and fill your updates with positive information about your region. At times, though, this is done without proper evaluation on whether the content provided is what your target market – whether it’s travelers or potential investors – want to hear.
Case in point is a conversation we had with Peter Shankman at Development Counsellors International. The founder of HARO and influencer visited with us at our offices for an information exchange on social media marketing.
When asked what his thoughts are on the best social media use, Peter answered, “It’s listening, reacting, and then listening again.”All of these attributes are central to great customer service. Peter later explained that social media is not Web 2.0 or even Web 3.0. Social media is about life, and, in life, people speak about their experiences.
So, how do you treat travelers, potential investors or location advisors when they visit your community? How does your treatment differ from others? How does your organization foster that relationship?
When it’s done exceptionally well, your partners and stakeholders will talk about it. Positive information about you will travel through word of mouth, including social media sites.
Here is a case study that has been circulating the blogosphere these last two days. A McDonald’s employee named Mary takes such great care of her customers, a Facebook fan page called “I love Mary @ McDonalds Chandler” was created. The page attracted more than 700 fans to the site. Bloggers started to write about it, and local newspapers reported on it. And while this was all happening without McDonald’s knowledge, I can bet that the company is seeing even longer lines for their drive-through service.
So, do you want your community to have success with social media? Follow Peter’s advice and Mary’s example: provide great client service and don’t forget to listen.
Who says that video games are just child’s play? State and local governments certainly don’t. Its $30 billion—and growing—global industry brings a plethora of opportunity for a community. Some states are capitalizing on the high volume sales by proposing a surcharge in video game purchases, using the money earned to fund community programs.
Perhaps friendlier to consumer pockets and business owners are states that are including video game companies in their long term economic development plans. Georgia, New Jersey and Louisiana are examples of states that are banking on the industry’s growth and are providing tax incentives for companies looking to set up shop in their areas. In fact, Raymund Flandez of the Wall Street Journal today reported on Baton Rouge’s success in luring a video game company from Dallas due to its attractive incentives.
It was also published that the growth rate of the video game industry significantly outpaced the nation’s growth rate. With that, would it be so frustrating to hear that your community leaders are spending their time playing with video games?
So, do you want your community to have success with social media? Follow Peter’s advice and Mary’s example: provide great client service and don’t forget to listen. 
