Lured into social networking

By Tim Eberhart, executive director
Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
Newspaper column for June 11, 2010 edition

After rejecting the idea for a couple of years, I have finally given in and incorporated social media into my weekly routine. I have only put my foot in to test the water. I do not think I will ever dive in on a daily basis. But you never know.

I set up a personal Facebook account last summer only because it was required before I could set up a page for the Rainsville Chamber. Since that time I resisted participated in the social networking revolution. But I was recently lured in by information about my 30-year high school class reunion, which then led to me “confirming” dozens of classmates and relatives as “friends.” Curiosity and stirred up memories caused me to view the Facebook pages of a lot of folks, some of which I have not seen since the 1980s.

I have now been socially active on Facebook for over a month, and I can tell you from that limited experience-maybe four hours total-that it can be engaging and entertaining.

So far, the best things about my new social adventures are the pictures from Hawaii posted by my stepchild who is on Oahu on a summer mission assignment, and learning that many of my old classmates are devout Christians.

I have a lot to learn, of course. From the Chamber of Commerce perspective, I consider Facebook a tool. Therefore, I must find the answer to the big Chamber question: how can social networking help me compel more citizens to shop in Rainsville?

I found 12 of our member businesses on Facebook. Rainsville Drugs has a page where they tell about their new “buy one, get one free” department. They have also posted information about a children's medication recall. The Looking Glass Fashion Boutique has started posting a “Brighton handbag of the day” on their Facebook page.

I plan to do a lot of research and find the answer to that big Chamber question. In the meantime, it will be great if I can just figure out some of the Facebook technical issues, such as how do I make sure my “wall” is showing, and, what happens when I “poke” someone.

Contact info

Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 396; Rainsville, AL 35986

115 Main Street West
PHONE: 256-638-7800