The Town of Cochrane, with the help of the friendly, neighbourhood newspapers, held a free information session to encourage local business to be more social.
Dubbed the ‘social media social for business,’ the Feb. 15 event aimed to shine a light on the array of benefits companies both big and small would see if they utilized such media tools as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Editors from both the Cochrane Eagle and Cochrane Times presented to the audience of approximately 50, displaying how social media helps in the world of newspapers by allowing information to be both provided in an alternative platform, while also offering opportunities for them to learn from others who take advantage of social media sites.
The event was attended by several local business owners, new and established, as well as councillors Jeff Toews, Ivan Brooker, Joann Churchill and Tara McFadden, who recently started her own councillor’s blog in an effort to create more of an online presence and keep Cochranites up to date on what happens in town council.
McFadden is also the community engagement officer for the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation and maintains an active Twitter account.
Several business owners who attended the event said they wanted to learn new ways they could get information about their companies out to the public.
Many were at various stages in their social media efforts, ranging from those who did not have Facebook or Twitter accounts to others who had accounts but wanted to learn how best to utilize them.
Posting on Twitter (tweeting) during the event was encouraged, and many in attendance said the information presented was helpful and they would like to see more social media information sessions in the future.
