Social Media Experience
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While interning at USA WEEKEND Magazine, I posed the above question to Pam Brown, the organizer of the "National Day of Doing Good." Make A Difference Day (MDDay) was started by the magazine in 1992. MDDay aims to get readers and people across the nation to participate in a volunteer project together on one day, showing how we can make a change in our communities by working together.

Prior to my involvement, the nonprofit had a Facebook and a Twitter, but followers were low and published content was bleak. As an intern with a passion for social media, I took it upon myself to make a social media strategy for MDDay, which took place this year on Oct. 27. I created a strategy that aimed to generate followers and create a stronger, everyday social media presence for MDDay. As an intern, I set up meetings with ​Gannett and USA TODAY social media management teams, where I presented my social media plan.

Upon the completion of my internship in early August, I was contracted as a social media manager for MDDay. I managed the Twitter and Facebook platforms and a Pinterest site I created. The success of the platforms was incredible. The visuals and data specifics of my accomplishments are below, but what can't be shared through images and text is the knowledge I gained from this experience. I was able to take an organization and re-envision their social media strategy and create a new, digital brand. Working with USA WEEKEND, Gannett and MDDay allowed me to dip my toes in the world of digital innovation, an exciting world that will also take the field of journalism into the next generation.
It was a simple question: Does Make a Difference Day have social media platforms?
Over a four-month period, increased total likes on the page by 2,500 users.
In the month prior to MDDay, steadily increased the reach of the Facebook page.
Created original images to generate excitement and mark key events for MDDay.
Managed to increase likes in the time leading up to MDDay without losing followers.
Created a social media campaign that ran from Oct. 1 to Oct. 27. Each day, a new way to make a difference was shared with followers.
Steadily increased visitors to the page in the days leading up to MDDay.
Cover photo countdown reminded page visitors of the approach of MDDay.
Generated conversation in the Facebook community about MDDay.
Led followers on Facebook to MDDay articles featured on USA WEEKEND's website through highlighting key quotes.
Created the first Pinterest page for MDDay, which was advertised in print and online in USA Today and USA WEEKEND. Gained 100 original followers.
Created ads for the Pinterest page, which were featured on Twitter and Facebook.
Pinterest board shared 27 ways followers could make a difference in the days leading up to MDDay.
Created Pinterest images joining key events with the MDDay message.
Utilized key quotes from past MDDay articles in USA WEEKEND to create original, inspirational pins.
Generated content that users could share on their own boards and with followers who they felt made a difference.
Doubled the amount of Twitter followers over a 4-month span.
Publicized campaign to aggregate followers through original images.
Re-tweeted key non-profit organizations.
Created original ads for the Twitter page, which were shared on other social media platforms.
On MDDay, facilitated re-tweets of people making a difference across the country. Encouraged others to make a difference by highlighting those volunteering.
Kellie Pickler and Darius Rucker were two of many celebrities who tweeted their support of MDDay.