News

Businesses, government officials add social sites to methods of communication

By MICHAEL PETERSON, Argus-Press Staff Writer

Saturday, November 28, 2009 9:33 PM EST

Social network sites are becoming a staple of communication for businesses and government officials. Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY - As the decade nears its end, social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter have shown that they not only have staying power, but that they have revolutionized how people interact.

Area businesses, politicians and even residents have discovered this as well - using social media to connect with people on whole new levels.

Recently elected City Council member Tom Cook started a blog - www.CityCouncilCook.blogspot.com - when he began campaigning. However, after the election, Cook said he decided to keep the blog to write about issues facing Owosso and the City Council.

“I feel communication is very important. It seems like people are becoming increasingly comfortable with going to the Internet for information. And a blog is a really good way to help provide more information to people about what's going on so they can stay informed,” Cook said.

He added that even though updating a blog can be time consuming, he said he also finds it helps him analyze issues.

“For better and for worse, the Internet seems to be a primary choice for collecting and dispensing information,” Cook said. “I think it is important that we take advantage of it.”

Cook also has a Facebook page, which he said helps him stay connected to residents and their opinions.

Owosso Main Street Manager Natalie Burg said she created the “Downtown Owosso” Facebook page because she feels it is important to build one's “social media presence.”

As of now, the Facebook page is primarily used to promote local events - such as the upcoming Glow Owosso parade.

“We've had such great success with the Facebook page,” Burg said. “We have over 700 fans now, so reminding 700 people everyday of what is going on downtown has been a terrific opportunity.”

Burg said she hopes to expand their use of social media in the future.

But even local businesses have also taken notice of the power of sites like Twitter or Facebook in gaining more exposure.

Steve Hodges, the owner of 'Round Midnight Records, said his business' Facebook page was created about two weeks ago, adding that it was his wife's idea.

Not only is the site used to announce new album releases, but Hodges also started the “Steve's Random Music Trivia Project,” on which he will post questions. If a customer comes into the store with the correct answer they will get a used CD of their choice.

“I've got a whole stash of questions,” Hodges said.

Hodges said another reason Facebook is useful for businesses is that it's free to sign up for.

“If it brings people in - great,” he said.

Kathy Wilson, the president of Owosso Graphic Arts, said she decided to create a Twitter account for the business about four months ago. The site is at twitter.com/OWOSSOGraphic.

“It's just another avenue to get your name out there. The more your name is on the Internet, the more your name will pop up when people are searching,” Wilson said, adding that the business uses it to promote products as well as to stay connected with customers and other business associates. “It's just one more way to reach people.”

Wilson said while their Twitter page may not have the same kind of following as a celebrity like Ashton Kutcher, she sees it growing every day.

Hodges said, however, he will always prefer actual contact over the Internet.

“People can work out of their homes, or order things over the computer and never leave the house,” he said. “If people use it as an informational tool it's great. But if it becomes your social life that's just a tragedy.”

Caledonia Township resident Christine Barry is one of the more active and well-known bloggers in the county. Not only does she have a blog, chrstinebarry.com, she also runs the Shiawassee County Forum, at shiawasseecounty.net. The Forum is a message-board site on which people can join to post comments and hold discussions about what is happening in the county.

Barry explained the site was originally hosted by the Shiawassee County Chamber of Commerce, but after the Chamber dropped the site several years ago Barry decided to take the reins.

“People had no place to go. ... I started the Web site, I installed the software and said, ‘OK, the doors are open,'” Barry said.

There are 558 registered users on the site, but Barry stressed many do not post regularly.

“That is pretty common with forums. Every six to 12 months almost all of your people change. But you always have the core group of maybe 20 people, but everybody else comes and goes,” she said.

Barry works as a network engineer, so computer operations come easy to her. However, because she is now going for her master's degree, she doesn't get to blog nearly as much as she used to. But that hasn't stopped her passion for blogging.

She originally started blogging in 1999, but it was more of “technical blogging” where she mainly talked about computers. It wasn't until 2004 that she switched her focus to politics. She first started blogging about national politics, but then decided instead to focus on local issues.

Over the years, Barry has blogged about many county-related topics including former Shiawassee County Sheriff Jon Wilson, County Administrator Margaret McAvoy and the Shiawassee Drain Office.

“In the beginning when you are a blogger, you don't think anybody is going to read your site,” Barry said. “So, I would say whatever I was thinking. I had absolutely no tact. And I made a lot of mistakes because I just said what I thought and felt. I learned the hard way that isn't the way to blog.”

Barry said that she soon learned to try and verify what sources were telling her and not take anything at face value.

“People lie to bloggers just like they lie to cops, reporters or anybody else,” Barry said. “I learned to never blog anything that I never have proof for. And that served me well when we went into the Sheriff story.”

Barry also runs the BloggingForMichigan.com site for which multiple people contribute.

- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpeterson@argus-press.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.

Comment on this Story

twinkie wrote on Nov 24, 2009 3:29 PM:

" the city is raping taxpayers plain and simple. and the mayor and city council laugh about it. but at the end of the day nothing with have changed and next year will be worse. recall the mayor and the entire city council. i go out of my way to not spend money in shiawassee county. the thought of contributing tax money to these scammers is nauseating. no more. "

joyce wrote on Nov 24, 2009 1:17 PM:

" tom cook your a lier. you wouldnt of ran for the position if it only paid 10 dollars a meeting. if these positions were volenteer work would you be there? i dont think so. "

shiataxpayer wrote on Nov 24, 2009 10:26 AM:

" YAY! for CHRISTINE BARRY and blogging and the Shiawassee County Forums.

Participate people--post--quit lurking! "

Tom Cook wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:23 AM:

" Owosso City Council members are paid $10 per meeting. The only trip I have made is to drive to Brighton on a school night in a city vehicle for a training session on the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. "

waiting wrote on Nov 24, 2009 7:06 AM:

" New Council......New Ideas ??? Fancy color picture in paper. Fancy webpage of councilman. But its all a smoke screen. The city manager still has not moved into this city as part of his agreement. So if the new council does not force the issue, we have the same old council. Why have an election. Legally then, why does a council person have to live in the city? If the city manager does not think this city is good enough to move into or be a part of, then get rid of him. "

twinkie wrote on Nov 23, 2009 6:59 PM:

" dont forget the annual pay hike the city council generously gives itself for part time work and those nice trips on city business charged to taxpayers. its just a shame that our tax dollars are doomed to misuse. abuse and total unregulated waste due to an inept overpaid group who do not have the best intentions of the public at heart but rather themselves. big spending little results seems to be the revolving theme of our city council how sad. "