Social Media Campaign Raises Thousands

In regards to my previous post, Social Media Helped Boston Bombing, the suspect was found several days after the attack. He was found hiding in a boat located in a Watertown resident’s backyard.   

During the manhunt in Watertown for the Boston Bombing suspect, Dave Henneberry reported that he found the terror suspect hidden in his beloved boat. The state police raced to the scene as quick as possible and spotted the suspect by using their night vision equipment. The police detected the suspect’s body under the tarp in the boat.

This brave citizen found the suspect crouched in his boat “Slip Away II” and reported it. It was said that Dave just had the boat done and spent so much money on it. The police riddled the boat with many bullet holes.

Dave’s neighbors felt for him because they knew his boat was his baby. The vessel is now damaged. However, he is awarded the $50,000 for tipping the FBI information about the fugitive. The people of Watertown argue that the repairs for the boat shouldn’t be taken out of the reward. The support for an everyday man has been incredibly amazing. This incident has inspired several social media fundraising campaigns. They used Crowdit.com, the world’s largest funding platform for group experiences, activities and more. The page has raised more than $12,000 in just a few days. The power of social media is beyond my understanding.

Social Activism

Social media serve an important role in campaigns whether it’s presidential elections or a gay right movement. Social media can really increase the awareness of the campaign by marketing it to a wide network. The posts, blogs, tweets, likes, or shares will engage audiences and get them involved in the campaign. As I previously mentioned in my earlier blog , Social Media Trends in Presidential Elections, social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are primary avenues for online campaigning. They have a goal to reach out to millions of users of all demographics. Social campaigns creates a marketplace that encourages consumer engagement. Online buzz makes your campaign more valuable. Social media platforms allows brands and companies to engage in new opportunities but also to create awesome campaigns. Social media tracks how people are enjoying and participating in a campaign. It allows participants to provide feedback which makes it interactive.

 

 

You may ask, “Do viral campaigns on social media make adifference?”. As you may know there has been much deliberation for same-sex marriages. Religious and Republican communities have much to say about this very controversial topic. But, I know you have seen the red equal signs this past week. Whether it was on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. The Human Rights Campaign icon was originally blue and yellow but they altered it to red to represent LOVE. According to the blog the image for marriage equality has been searched more than 1 million times on Google and has been shared more than 100,000 times from its initial Facebook posting on Monday. I think it’s amazing how powerful social media can be. As millions of people from all over shared the new altered logo throughout the World-Wide-Web, I strongly felt that the campaign was successful due to social media. It was impactful.  

 

Did you participate in this viral campaign in support of marriage equality?

Social Media Trends in Presidential Campaign

Social media is used in our everyday lives! It’s so consuming, wouldn’t you think? Not only is it used for connecting with friends and family but also CEO’s, Executives, and even Politicians. In recent Presidential campaigns social media has played a huge role. In today’s society it’s not enough to just shake some hands and run some TV ads, instead they have to post personable pictures and blogs on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. Nothing is private anymore! It’s all posted online! So why not have the candidate relate to us and post moments at home with their children and family on Instagram as well? This past campaign, both Romney and Obama injected themselves into social media platforms. It’s so accessible and easily done. For instance, on Twitter, Mitt Romney’s bodyguard posted a picture of the candidate’s family playing Jenga before the debate. This picture will appeal to all audiences, all to gain votes.

Twitter and Facebook have been the primary avenues for online campaigning, with their goal to reach millions of users of all demographics. Posting video clips, songs, or images on these mainstream sites will increase interaction with people, potential voters. Social media is a major trend that even the Presidential Campaign couldn't miss out on. The social network (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) consists of an estimate of 1.43 billion users which will continue to massively increase. People spend so much time on these sites that it just seems the most feasible way to reach out them.