Communications
Another crucial component of our communications
strategy was to develop a strong social media
presence, to communicate our key messages and
team story to the widest audience possible. We
have developed social networking sites on Facebook,
Flickr, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter and Digg.
Each of these sites enabling users to connect back and forth for
new project information and updates on the team’s
progress.
We’re also using
social media to attract people who may not otherwise
hear about our project, thereby increasing interest in
our team and in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar
Decathlon.
One unique social media component that we’ve
developed is our viral videos series, produced every
two weeks, to keep website users engaged and excited
about our project. Team Alberta is working with a Calgary based
student production company to develop these short
viral videos, in hopes of creating a reality television
show once the competition is finished – called “Solar Hero.” The Solar Hero concept would address our
team’s broader and longer-range goal of creating
a community that shapes the future and design of
sustainable living.