Better in Danville: EDP invites everyone to get social with networking tools
By CHARLIE COX
Contributing Writer
April 13, 2010
I can remember the moment Western Kentucky University gained access to Facebook. I was sitting in my dorm room deep into my sophomore year. All of my friends at larger neighboring schools — OK, well really just UK — were already on the “book.” The service, then for just those with an official college e-mail address, was initially only made available for those at the relatively large colleges. When WKU rode in on the second wave of eligible schools, I was very excited.
Roughly a month later when everyone else — including high school students — was able to join the service, I was less than enthused. In fact, you could say I was downright mad.
Little did I know as everyone gained access to Facebook, the next chapter of in the history of social media was being written right before my eyes.
As marketing and communications coordinator for the Danville/Boyle County Economic Development Partnership, I use Facebook on a daily — mostly hourly — basis to keep the public apprised to the breaking news of our partners. Along with our tech-savy team of executive directors, I help manage all the partner pages and the EDP page itself, with new photo albums, status updates, event invitations and much more.
Looking back into my college days, I had no idea how much a silly little thing like Facebook would impact my future professional life.
In the span of five years, Facebook certainly has evolved, just like the entire landscape of social media. The EDP and its partner organizations are utilizing many of the social media tools you’ve heard of — and some you haven’t — to make sure the EDP and its partner organizations are communicating with our followers as easily, effectively, and efficiently as possible.
Here’s a look into our social media platforms. It’s our hope you’ll begin to follow us on as many platforms upon which you like. Are you ready to jump into the social networking waters?
Facebook: Essentially the key EDP social media for the public. If you want the latest information on the EDP or its partners, become a “fan” of the Danville/Boyle County Economic Development Partnership. Doing this is the best resource by which you can remain up-to-date with the partnership. From upcoming events to real-time updates from meetings, we encourage you to start here if you’re ready to “get social.” From the main EDP fan page, you can branch out into the fan pages of our partner organizations. Go to: www.facebook.com/betterindanville
YouTube: Like visual news and videos? Check out the EDP YouTube channel for the latest videos from our partner organizations. Every week, the EDP creates and uploads new videos, so tune to our YouTube dial. Go to: www.youtube.com/DanBoyleEDP
Twitter: Do you like your news in “tweets”? Follow @DanBoyleEDP for up-to-the-minute partner news. You’ll also receive live tweeting from important events and meetings. Go to: www.twitter.com/DanBoyleEDP
SlideShare: This is a relatively new social tool being used by the EDP. SlideShare is an innovative site in which EDP documents and files are easily made available. Check out our page and download files of interest, including the “State of the Local Economy,” presented by EDP President and CEO Jody Lassiter to the Danville City Commission. Go to: www.slideshare.net/DanBoyleEDP
Blog: Don’t miss an entry on the EDP blog! Here you’ll find detailed updates, press releases and reaction from Lassiter on important local economic issues. Go to: http://betterindanville.blogspot.com/
LinkedIn: A less-used by the public but invaluable professional tool. If you’re on the site, be sure to check out our profile with interesting EDP details. Go to: www.linkedin.com/companies/danville-boyle-county-economic-development-partnership
Flickr: Another new addition to our social media tool set! In the future, we plan on using Flickr to display available properties in the Danville/Boyle County areas. Though our pages are still under construction, be sure to check us out in the near future. Go to: www.flickr.com/people/betterindanville
And that’s just the tip of the social-networking iceberg. The EDP and its partners have several tech-y plans in the works for the future — iPhone application, anyone? — so stay tuned and don’t miss the latest developments by following us in one of the above-mentioned ways!