My team for my Social Communication in Business class is starting to work on our team project and help the MATC organization Women in Technology utilize social media. In preparation for the project, I analyzed two organizations and how they use Facebook and Twitter to help promote and foster communication with its members.

The first organization I researched was one close to my heart, the ING New York City Marathon. The marathon uses Facebook to promote the marathon by posting at least once daily and sharing pictures. Members can post comments directly to their daily postings. The postings include information about the events associated with the marathon such as broadcasts and smaller training runs. They also post comments and questions like “What is your favorite song to run to?” where those people who “like” their page can comment on the post. There are also photos and videos of previous marathons. Their page on Facebook not only provides essential information about the marathon but also keeps the energy and excitement of being part of their marathon alive. The ING New York City Marathon also tweets daily. The tweets are different than their Facebook page posts. Most of the tweets are quotes about running from either famous athletes or professional runners. Overall, I was impressed with the way the posts generate excitement and enthusiasm for running. It really connects the many thousands of runners that enter the marathon as well as keep people excited for upcoming  New York City marathons.

      The other organization I researched was an organization called Women in Technology that is out of Washington D.C. I chose this organization to get an understanding of how an organization closely related to the one my group will work with uses Facebook and Twitter. This organization uses both Facebook and Twitter to post upcoming events that the organization is hosting. On the Facebook page, there is a specific section for the followers' posts that displays independently from the rest of the page. The specific section displays almost as a chat. Followers are able to post under the WIT postings as well; however, that seems to be kept to a minimum. WIT uses Twitter to share articles that benefit its members. It also allows people to tweet right on their page.

For both of the organizations, it is clear to see how Facebook and Twitter really connects people and keeps its members up to date on events.