Learning from Political Social Media
The race to the White House is on — and also online!
Presidential candidates are turning to social media because that’s where many potential voters are. For publishers, these social media users are your potential site visitors, so it’s good to know how the candidates are reaching them.
Augmenting their traditional media efforts, candidates for the 2008 Presidential election are also using various forms of social media, from blogs, message boards, podcasts, user-generated videos, photo-sharing sites and more. Barack Obama, John McCain and Hillary Clinton each have YouTube, Facebook and MySpace pages, which are updated frequently. This doesn’t count the scores of Facebook groups and MySpace pages maintained by their supporters.
Senator John McCain’s Facebook page is a good example of connecting and interacting with online users. The McCain campaign makes good use of online video and posts frequent updates on that site. The “Wall” section of Facebook allows folks to post their comments while the calendar section shows upcoming campaign events. the McCain campaign engages with the online user through different media: online video, comments section, sharing photos and an events calendar. McCain’s daughter, Meghan, has been drumming up interest in her father’s campaign with behind-the-scenes photos and video posts from the campaign trail.
Given the success of grassroots video for Senator Barack Obama’s campaign, it’s no surprise that part of his social media effort is a channel on YouTube. The channel also features a subscribe link, which is a great “pull” tactic. If you’re going to use online social media, consider the media as a pull tactic which draws interested persons to you and your site.
Senator Hillary Clinton’s Friendster site is a good example of establishing an online community. On this social networking page, the Clinton campaign connects supporters to each other and becomes a centralized place for them to congregate online. Senator Clinton uses her blog to speak directly to her supporters, giving her message more of a personalized voice. If you’re an online publisher considering a way to personalize your company, blogs can provide such a path.
Social media can help the candidates—and you, too—but only if you follow some ground rules. Consider these guidelines laid out by the Social Media blog, and our interpretation of them:
1. Communication is conversation, not a monologue. Social media implies that you facilitate a two-way discussion, rather than a one-way bombardment of marketing messages. In short, this means that you stay engaged and in a discussion with visitors. Sometimes this dialogue will open you up for attacks, but that’s the part of the freedom that this discourse involves.
2. Participants are people, not organizations. Don’t hide behind a mask of anonymity; let readers know who you are and speak to them on the same level.
3. Honesty and transparency are vital. Folks know when you are enhancing the conversation with a sales pitch, and they’ll gladly ignore you if carry on this way. The more honest and transparent you are, the more readers will trust you. So don’t try to spin or manipulate the conversation; keep it honest and simple.
4. It’s pull, not push. Don’t try to force your message on folks in social media, because in this world, users are in control. Respect the ebb and flow in your dialogue.
It’s easy to see how these principles are applicable to political discourse. But they also can serve as the winning ticket for those of you considering casting a vote for online social media.
— Roger Park, Manager, Marketing Communications
Stay updated on the Election 2008 with the Yahoo! Political Dashboard
Read Comments (2) | Post Comment | categories:: Uncategorized
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 am
shame on americans who vote for obama? a president with a african name? thats not right? my flag will fly up side down, if obama becomes president.changes? what sticking changes, they will never happen? oh people with little faith, ask what you can do for your country, we are americans if we are born in america, not african-american, american you where all born here? your roots are african? theres no african-american, if this is the case, then every thing will change– puerto rican-american,cuban-american,etc.thats not it? you are where you were born? american….
August 22nd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Why UGG Boot is So Popular?
Ugg boots, also spelled ugh boots and ug boots, are a style of sheepskin boot, with wool as the inner lining and a tanned outer surface worn by both men and women. Ugg boots often have a synthetic sole, although this is not universal. Uggs are popular with the teenage set, worn by girls with mini skirts, leggings, and with jeans tucked into the boots. UGGS Boots are also popular with boys, wearing jeans or tracksuit bottoms inside them most commonly.
UGG UK Sale, In Australia and New Zealand, sheepskin boots have long been popular with people in rural occupations, such as sheep shearers, who have ready access to the raw materials,. Their popularity increased as a result of World War I and World War II, when they were popular with aviators, because of their need to keep warm in non-pressurized planes at high altitudes. An exhibit of a WWI aviator’s outfit in the Canadian War Museum cites the term "fug" boots. UGG Cardy, Ugg Boots have also been popular with surfers and competitive swimmers since at least the 1960s, for keeping warm while out of the water. The terms ugg boots, ugh boots and ug boots have been used as generic terms for sheepskin boots in Australia since 1950s and 1960s, when they first appeared in advertising and other publications.
The natural properties of sheepskin results in thermostatic benefits. Thick fleecy fibres on the inner part of the boots allows air to circulate and keep the feet at body temperature. Synthetic and faux fur boots do not have these properties and sheepskin boots are highly prized for their effectiveness. Ugg boots are designed to be worn without socks in order to maximize the benefits of sheepskin.
What’s more, This Year’s Hottest UGG Boots Style–UGG Bailey Button Boots, is already starting to sell well. UGG UK Sale, it is not a matter of if this style sells out, but how quickly. Every year people procrastinate and then they can’t find the Ugg Boots they want. So, Shop early for the best selection.