5 Reasons Social Media is Good for Hawaii

Twitter is a fast-growing tool for listening and responding to the thoughts of consumers.

Been trying to get in with the VP of Marketing at a large, national company? Try following her on Twitter.

Want to know what your customers think of your new menu? Try doing a Twitter search for your restaurant and see what they say.

Nobody saying anything? Well, that says something, doesn’t it?

North Hawaii News asked attendees of a January “Tweet-Up” at Anna’s Ranch in Waimea why they think social media is good for the Big Island. Here’s what they said:

1. “You can reach a broad spectrum of all ages with different interests”

– Annie Howes, Waimea

Not everybody is on Twitter. But those who are tend to have more influence over public opinion. 80% of active Twitter users publish a blog, according to one eMarketer survey. And, while teenagers still make up the biggest share of Twitter users overall, the number of users between 35 and 55 is growing–fast. But remember, an estimated 14% of households “opt out” of technology on Hawaii Island by choice. And their opinions are equally valid. So when you turn to Twitter to reach a broad spectrum of interests, remember also the interests of people who are not there.

2. “We are starting to ‘brand’ or identify the Big Island.”

–Cynthia Hoskins, Hilo

As people living and working in Hawaii we offer a perspective not found in the marketing materials of the tourism industry. Hawaiian Tweets offer an honest and unfiltered view of life in the Pacific. For those who depend on the taxes and revenue from beyond our shores, remember that every Tweet helps shape the image of our islands. Tweets are now archived and indexed by Google in real time.

3. “We are bringing people together to create 1950′s communities with 21st Century technology.”

— Larry Czerwonka, Hilo

In the traditional “one-to-many” model of Old Media, travel guides and magazines would point readers to various visitor attractions and restaurants. But often, facts change and guides go out of date–sometimes before they’re even off the press! Travel writers seldom have the time to visit every attraction or restaurant in an area, so reviews can quickly become stale, and newer places fail to get the visibility they deserve. On Twitter, you can ask in real time where the best place is to eat in Kawaihae, and within minutes get a suggestion to try the grass-raised beef hamburgers at Kohala Diner. The back-and-forth conversation is easy and casual. And strangely, the people you regularly follow become as familiar as your next door neighbor. Sometimes, even more so…

4.”It lets us share all the good things that make us different from Oahu.”

– Laura Kinoshita, South Kohala

Let’s face it. The Big Island is not Waikiki, it’s not the North Shore, it’s not Maui, and it’s not Kauai. So what is it? Adventure. Open Spaces. Higher Learning. An active volcano. World-class astronomy. Marine Biology. Sport Fishing. Rodeos! The freedom to drive 100 miles in any direction … The island for quiet family getaways and romantic walks on the beach. The powder-white beaches of Hapuna, Mauna Kea and Makaiwa to the black sand beaches of Pololu Valley and South Point.

5. “It helps connect people who would normally not be connected.”

–Susan Chouinard, Waimea.

Whether you’re looking for entertainment or new skills for your job, chances are … Twitter will point you to it. Humor and inspirational messages are the most popular forms of Tweets, but you can also find new ideas, look for jobs and offer services, products or promotions people might not otherwise know about.

Consider following these West Hawaii brands to see how they are using Twitter to engage with (and learn from) their customers:

@KTASuperstores
@buyinglocal
@MtAppleBrand
@KonaSeaSalt
@BJPenn
@BodyGloveHawaii
@KeauhouSheraton
@GoodwillHawaii
@ToyotaHawaii
@KonaBrewingCo
@HCFHawaii (Hawaii Community Foundation)
@KFCHawaii (Kentucky Fried Chicken Hawaii)
@HawaiiPaperProducts
@FarmersHawaii
@keck2laser

UPDATE 2/19/2010: This version better characterizes where quotes came from.