By Gregor Heidemann | Marketing Manager
In September 2012 REEA Foundation had the honour of hosting a Social Media Workshop presented by social media specialist Spectra Asala from Global Giving. Around 20 other NGOs from the surrounding areas were present to take part and listen to this dynamic speaker, and all gained valuable insight from attending. The result of the workshop for REEA Foundation was the formulation of our own social media strategy. During her presentation, Asala explained the basic concept of social media: "In a nutshell, social media is media that is social. It encourages user interaction and the building and maintaining of relationships with wide communities of people. It offers real-time interaction and multiple platforms for people to communicate, share ideas and engage. It also offers a channel for news and updates.” I asked myself: “Why does REEA need to become more social?” Global entrepreneur Richard Branson has the answer, for ourselves and any other organisation: “Whether you are launching a start-up or leading an established company, you should start establishing your social media presence if you haven’t already.”
We deal with communities, and social media enables us to communicate more effectively with a broader audience. We need to be present in a social space. Social media is a powerful platform that will enable us to connect with more people, in ways in which they are happy to engage. We need to tap into the ability of social media to help us build a bigger network. So what platforms are available to us? “Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube need to be explored and either created or worked harder to create maximum advantage,” Asala taught us. It became clear that REEA would benefit enormously by making use of social media in many areas, including joining conversations around epilepsy and promoting the idea of REEA as a green village with many products on offer. We can use social media to position REEA as a place to meet, a place to eat, a place to buy books, pet food, charity shop items, a place to bring your children to play, or for pony rides and riding lessons, a place to buy flower and plants at our nursery. A place to be social! But most important a place where our residents can interact with society!
By Gregor Heidemann | Marketing Manager
By Daniella Alexander and Gregor Heidemann | Charity Shoppe 'Rambling Rose' update
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