Social Media Programme

We’re launching a Social Media Programme – get involved and join in the fun!

Ever wondered what all the fuss is about? Social media, in a nutshell, is the vast and varied world of networking, communicating, sharing and socialising that has taken the internet by storm. Famous examples of social media tools include Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – but there’s thousands more besides.

Visit Lincolnshire has already begun sampling the world of social media with established profiles on popular websites such as Twitter and Facebook. We’ve also built a number of blogs – which are great for sharing stories and articles with both our visitors and our businesses. So far, we’re really pleased with how popular our social media activity has been and we’re really keen to continue its growth.

With the dawn of our new Data Management System fast approaching, plus the refresh of our suite of websites, we think there’s never been a better time to make the most of the social media buzz.
Our enthusiasm for social media means we’re really keen to encourage Lincolnshire’s tourism businesses to join us online and start using some of these great tools. 

                           
Of course, we understand you might want to see how social media can help you first.

      
Here are just some of the great benefits you can gain from social media websites:

• Create additional online profiles alongside your website to represent your business
• Use them to keep interested visitors, colleagues and suppliers up to date with your latest news, ideas and special offers
• Post pictures, videos and links that you want to share with your followers to keep them engaged
• Share knowledge and experience directly with your contacts to forge new and useful relationships
• Find out what visitors think of your business through reviews and comments

We’re already hearing from a few businesses that have found success through using social media as part of their marketing strategy. For example, Kirkstead Old Mill Cottage in Woodhall Spa and Colours Guest House at Mablethorpe have both been using TripAdvisor - a hugely popular travel review site to monitor guest feedback and attract new visitors. www.tripadvisor.co.uk

And Chaplin House B&B at Martin have created their own blog, where they post stories and pictures telling people what they’ve been up to – from making jam to the latest news on their beehives! Go to blog.chaplinhouse.co.uk

What’s going to happen on the Social Media Programme?

Social media is an excellent way of reaching out to the world and sharing our messages about visiting the county, and we think businesses can help strengthen this message by creating their own interactive social media communities.

We’re going to be helping you…
…learn through structured workshops
…manage your TripAdvisor entry
…utilise the Enjoy England social media wizard
…use Facebook and Twitter effectively
…create and manage your very own blog

With much more besides!

The beauty of social media is the fast, efficient nature of both setting up your profiles, groups and accounts as well as the updates you’ll be making to keep your details fresh.
One of the key concerns for us as an organisation when piloting social media earlier this year was that we’d struggle to find the time to make the most of it. Thankfully, there are some brilliant tools out there to make it all the more effective – for example each time we post an update on our Facebook page it automatically gets posted onto our Twitter profile – so we don’t have to do things twice.

 

Get involved…

We’re really interested in hearing from businesses who want to start using social media marketing in 2010.

 
If you’d like to receive advice, factsheets and invitations to workshops on social media, and become a member of the programme please register your interest with Celia Lacy on 01522 561668 or email celia@lincolnshiretourism.com

Our programme membership is free of charge (except some of our workshops, which will require a small delegate fee) and you don’t have to spare hours on end to be involved.

You can do as much or as little social media as you feel comfortable with, all we ask is that you try out this fantastic new marketing medium and see how it can change the way you work.

 

Already using social media?

We’d like to hear from you even if you are already using social media – your experience and feedback is essential in helping us build an interactive community online.
Feeling like a champion?!

To help lead and encourage other businesses within the Social Media Programme, we’re also looking for representatives to lead the way in championing the social media activity. We won’t require a huge commitment – this is just a great opportunity to receive a little extra attention for your efforts and in return, we’ll promote you as an exemplary and influential social media player.

If you are interested in being a champion on the social media programme, find out more details and have an informal chat with Celia on 01522 561668.

What’s next once I’ve registered?

All interested parties will be contacted via email and invited to join an exclusive Facebook group where the social media programme can interact, network and share news, tips and ideas. If you’re not on Facebook – don’t worry, we’ll help you get started.

We will then begin encouraging and advising SMP members to experiment, research and share their findings through the group and in turn, build the social media community for Lincolnshire. Sound fun? Perhaps something interesting to try? Then please, do get in touch on 01522 561668 or celia@lincolnshiretourism.com