Candidates, businesses breaking boundaries with social media
Businesses and politicians reaching out to you through social media is nothing new, but now, local people are picking up the baton and creating unified marketing strategies to engage eastern Idaho.
John Stoneback and Dave Bowen took a look at Bowen’s updated Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon. The page connects directly to Bowen’s official website, so Facebookers don’t even have to open up a new tab to learn everything about him.
Bowen is running for District 29’s Seat A in the House of Representatives and he said he’s leaping into politics head first.
“I don’t like politics, but over the last two years I’ve seen a need for common sense, normal people who aren’t a fan of politics, who don’t live and breathe it,” he said about running for office.
And he’s not a native to social media, either. But Stoneback, the social media manager at Fuzecore, is throwing Bowen in the deep end there, too. He’s turning Bowen into a broadcaster.
“We’re going to actually be doing some live videos with him,” Stoneback said.
The ultimate idea is for people to record themselves on a mobile device and then broadcast that video live on social media outlets, like Facebook.
Stoneback said it’s a move local businesses can use to give their customers unique content, and it’s the next wave of building value.
“They’re finding depth in the business, versus the one thing they always go there for,” he said.
Stoneback is hoping it pulls people into the local business community, and Bowen hopes there might be a larger purpose.
He wants the videos and connectivity to help get younger people engaged in government by reaching them where they are. He’s hoping, whether people like him or not, they learn what he’s about as a candidate, and make an informed decision when they walk into the voting booth.
“It might be painful to have to send a Tweet for me, but if it’s effective and helps people learn something, then it’s something we need to be looking at,” Bowen said.
Fuzecore, a local business itself, is currently managing social media marketing for several small businesses, and can be found on Facebook.
