The American Legion Social Networking Social Networks vs

The American Legion & Social Networking

Social Networks vs. Social Media • Social networks: • Facebook groups, Flickr, My. Space, Linked. In, My. Vetwork, Boomj. • Primary function is to engage and empower our grassroots for membership, activities and advocacy purposes. • Secondary function is to serve as relay station for immediate news releases, communication and educational material. • Social Media: • Twitter, Blog sites, You. Tube, Facebook-Online Updates fan page. • Primary function is to relay and publish real time news, and communication to the public. • Secondary function is to drive awareness and traffic to legion branded publications online and in print.

Why they are important? • It’s still about personal contact: the essence is not technology, but the ability to connect us to a network of communities to serve a common purpose. • It’s about community and communication: Veterans and servicemembers are connecting online, we need to communicate with them our Pride and Purpose.

How to utilize web 2. 0 • Engage and build relationship with veterans, servicemembers, families and friends; let’s start talking about The American Legion and educate the public about what we do and who we are. • Empower our networks to think globally and act locally; reinforce the grassroots and energize our members and prospects by activities and advocacy.

Our current status • The American Legion @Facebook Current members: 2339 • The American Legion @Twitter Current followers: 491 • The American Legion @You. Tube • The American Legion @Flickr Current photos: 1509; Current users: 223