Web 2.0 (Blogs, Video, Wikis, Podcasting, RSS)

Using Social Media Tools to Reach New Audiences

Blogs, podcasting, RSS (Really Simple Syndication), video, Facebook, YouTube and other "Web 2.0" services are part of a new wave of social media web tools that are augmenting how businesses and not-for-profits interact with their customers.

The proliferation of high-speed broadband Internet access has meant that site visitors can easily download large audio and video files, and other Web 2.0 technologies such as discussion forums and blogs allow sites to incorporate fully two-way dialogue. This enhanced interactivity can result in visitors spending more time on your site, where they can be exposed to more of the information you're trying to transmit (details on your products or services).

Facebook, YouTube & Wordpress Implementations

Social media sites and tools like Facebook, Wordpress blogs, Twitter and others can extend this customer-business interaction even further. By truly engaging in dialogue with your audience, you can learn more about what they want and need -- or what they dislike -- and ensure that your organization or business is directly on the pulse of your audience's expectations.

iContext has a solid history of developing and implementing toolsets that facilitate the corporate use of podcasts, blogs, RSS, YouTube-style video, as well as corporate / organizational Facebook pages.

To discuss your Web 2.0 / social media ideas, please contact us.

See also information on our web application development and web design services.

Social Media Spotlight - Vancouver Police Department

iContext has worked with the Vancouver Police Department on a number of social media projects that have greatly increased the department's web profile. Starting with a focused web strategy on recruitment, developed with the guidance of iContext Internet, the Vancouver Police Department launched a Facebook page in April 2008 that now has well over 900 fans and a thriving discussion area. On the VPD's Facebook page, potential recruits can interact with VPD staff and learn more about a career with the VPD. The force also launched a YouTube channel at the same time, which has had over 68,000 video views to date. iContext worked closely with the VPD to ensure the department's existing branding, messaging and visuals were carried through to their Facebook and YouTube pages.

• Vancouver Police Department Facebook Page
• VPD YouTube Channel
• VPD Behind the Blue Line Blog

Building on the success of their social media sites, the VPD subsequently launched a Wordpress blog in December 2008 at www.behindtheblueline.ca. Maintained by a 14-year veteran officer and member of the VPD's dog squad, the blog is steadily gaining readership and fans. Readers regularly comment on the blog, lending an additional degree of "immediate interactivity" to the department's community outreach.

In all, these social media tools have resulted in dramatic success for the Vancouver Police Department. "Our applications to date have effectively doubled," notes Inspector Tom McCluskie, the Officer in Charge of the VPD Recruiting Unit. "iContext was instrumental in helping us achieve [our Recruiting] goals."

To discuss your social media goals, or to inquire about our Facebook and YouTube implementation services, please contact us.