With the growing popularity of social media, the District has turned to Facebook and Twitter as its newest communication tools for promoting its mission to protect water resources.
Facebook is a free social networking web site that helps people communicate more efficiently with their friends, family and coworkers in a trusted environment. Users can support organizations, such as the District, by signing up to be a “fan” to receive information and interact on the web page.
Facebook has more than 300 million active users, and 50 percent of them log on to the web site on any given day.
“We’re always looking for new ways to reach out to the public,” said Michael Molligan, District communications director. “With so many people using Facebook every day, it made sense to integrate it with existing communications tools, such as the web site.”
In addition, the District is now on Twitter. Twitter is a recipient-driven, real-time way to communicate. Short messages, or tweets, are sent to users who sign up to receive information about the District as it happens. Messages can be sent and received by mobile texting, instant message or the web.
The District uses Facebook to promote District events, programs and resources to its fans, while tweets provide timely, newsworthy information.
Another new tool the District recently implemented is the WaterMatters.org Newsletter, which is an email that contains District-related topics and links back to the web site for more information. The emails are sent twice a month to more than 8,000 recipients.
Anyone can sign up for Facebook, Twitter or the District’s online newsletter. Visit WaterMatters.org to find links to all three features at the bottom of the home page.