by Alissa Brooks

Assemble a team.  Gather media.  Edit media.  Distribute media. Change the world.

Sounds simple enough. Right?

Through this social documentary workshop all of us have learned that there is nothing simple about media production.  Today, after a presentation about distribution of media, we learned that even when the media is created the process is not over.  How do you reach an audience?  What is the best platform (or platforms) for engaging people?

The answer: hybrid distribution. Hybrid distribution combines both traditional marketing efforts (emailing, luncheons, brochures) and new media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)  New media, also referred to as social media, is a platform for media that is exponentially growing.  The best way to tap in to social media audiences is to just dive in – make an account, network, and see the response.  Each social media platform has its own unique audience base.

Photo of the author.

As the social media expert of this workshop, I primarily focused on Facebook, Twitter, and blogging.  I, Alissa Brooks, have been behind many of the Facebook posts and Tweets, along with guest blogging for Stirring the Fire.  I am a recent graduate of Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, earning degrees in English and Theology.  I begin graduate school next month at Brandeis University in Boston, Massachusetts, to study Non-Profit Management.

Social media is so much a part of my life – I’ve grown up with it.  Yet, understanding how to use social media for a non-profit business is different than logging into your personal Facebook page and posting about your day.  Effective social media involves using key words, strong visuals, timing, and engaged followers.  In all honesty, a business’s use of social media is dictated more by its followers than its staff.  What do you find interesting?  What are you interested in?  What inspires you to act?  That’s always been the point of social media – it’s for individuals to be themselves.

Thank you for your support of Stirring the Fire during our first workshop.  Thank you for taking time to read our posts and engage with our social media.  Keep spreading the word.  Keep reading and commenting.  Together, we can change the world.  One notification at a time.