I have worked closely with the Miss Minnesota Organization for numerous years but never took the time to see if they had migrated over to certain types of social media. The social media that did exist for the Miss Minnesota Organization was a website, however; it was very low-key and was not maintained regularly. As I went back and viewed their old website, I noticed that they had not been on Facebook, did not have a Twitter account and had hardly completed any maintenance on their website in months. I was extremely surprised at this since this organization targeted age group is college-aged women and most information obtained in this day is via the internet. Below you can see two small clips of the organizations old website. It was bland and unappealing and a new design was greatly needed.
Here is a little background of the Miss Minnesota Organization. Miss Minnesota is part of the Miss America Organization. The Miss America organization is a scholarship program that offers over 45 million dollars in scholarships to women between the ages of 18-24.
Just by seeing that the targeted age group is 18-24 it is obvious that the best market to advertise to this age group is social media. The majority (if not all of the contestants) that are competing are in college and use the internet and social media as their primary means of communication.
As I interacted with this site I had noticed a sign telling viewers their website was under maintenance. I decided that I would take it upon myself to email to developer to see if the organization had migrated yet, and since it was under construction that it would be a great time to give them an idea to migrate if they have not already done so.
After a few emails with the developer it was discovered that the Miss Minnesota Organization does use Blogger as one of their social media outlets. Each Miss Minnesota is expected to write her blog weekly and to update all of the contestants and volunteers on her latest appearances, outings and community events she has done. I asked the developer if the organization used Twitter or Facebook to get their name and advertising out to the social media world. The developer, Nicole, explained that they had just recently started a Facebook page and already had 703 “Likes” and the numbers were rapidly increasing. She said that is where they ask all local titleholders, volunteers, directors and any members of the communities around Minnesota that see a titleholder at an appearance or event to update the page or tag them in the photos and/or posts.
After talking with Nicole I went to the Facebook page myself. The minute you click on the page it catches your eye. I was eagerly surprised to find how interesting the page was. There are people from all over the state that post pictures, blogs, current schedules, event schedules and anything having to do with their title on the page. It is not just a page about Miss Minnesota but a collaboration of all the local titleholders across the state. I found all their tabs on the page (info, photos, notes, events, appearance request and calendar) were all updated regularly. Their “photo” section was updated almost daily with new pictures of Miss Minnesota, includes a picture of each local titleholder that will be competing in Miss Minnesota in June, as well as Miss America pictures and community events that have happened across the state. Overall, I was extremely impressed with the first impression, look, the layout and how informative their page was. It definitely was much more appealing then the organizations website.
In my emails with Nicole I had suggested that the organization creates a Twitter. I had explained the idea of getting the Twitter link on their Facebook page would increase exposure even more. Even if Miss Minnesota does not Tweet daily, it is still there for her followers to view on a regular basis. After a few emails back and forth Nicole had said the state board decided it was a good idea to create one and that the link would be included in their new website. Below you can see the Miss Minnesota Organization's new website. It is exciting and extremely appealing. It makes me want to venture each link of the website and find out more information about the program. Their new, eye-appealing website makes more people want to view and increases their overall exposure!
I had never taken the time to really investigate whether organizations and companies I am a follower of have social media until the MEAN notebook had been assigned. I never realized how crucial social media is in today’s society. For every business that runs their ads on paper or via billboards there is five more businesses in the same industry running their advertising and networking on social media. Since the basic way of communication in society is electronic and via the internet it is in a company’s best interest to develop their business advertising over social networking.
I found a great quote by Jay Baer that, in my opinion, sums up the outlook on social networking. She states, “Social media changes the relationship between companies and customers form master and servant, to peer to peer.” (www.convinceandconvert.com) Businesses are able to use social media to make their consumers and followers feel that they are not only a part of the business, but that they matter enough to be informed on new updates regularly.
What businesses have you come across that are lacking in the social media category? Keep this is mind next time you explore businesses. See if you can make suggestions to help them better their interaction with social media.
Blessings,
Tiffany
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