Up Close View of Atlas V Rocket
My husband recently turned to me and said, “you didn’t win anything on Twitter this week, now what are we going to do this weekend?” He was referring to my healthy social media contest winning streak that included tickets to many events as well as some rather interesting prizes.
I swam in a tank at the Florida Aquarium and watched the Weeki Wachee Mermaids perform just below me in the water. I have sampled restaurants before they opened and was even part of the Orlando Broadway Twitter Force, earning me season tickets and special access to each performance’s cast party.
The point is that businesses are finding creative ways to engage existing fans and attract new audience on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. An often-successful strategy is to offer what is referred to as a priceless prize – something money just can’t buy.
The social media realm is quickly becoming a crowded place and it’s going to take some pizzazz to stand out from the crowd. Offering a once-in-a-lifetime prize creates a brand ambassador for life, but more importantly, creates exciting buzz for your brand in the process.
In true once-in-a-lifetime fashion, I was selected to participate in probably one of the greatest examples of a “priceless” Twitter campaign. In an effort to attract new fans to space exploration, NASA began holding “Tweetups,” an exclusive event that grants unprecedented access to the Average Joe. Since the first Tweetup at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on January 21, 2009, the Tweetups have become high-demand events with thousands of Twitter fans entering to win, on average, one of 150 invitations issued for each Tweetup.
I was fortunate to experience the 31st Tweetup, which was a two-day event to celebrate the launch of the Mars Curiosity Rover. NASA stationed the “tweeps” in an air-conditioned tent outfitted with Wi-Fi, power strips and workstations right next to the famous countdown clock. We heard briefings from the brilliant minds that made the mission possible, hung out with astronauts, toured the Vehicle Assemble Building and even got to visit Space Launch Complex 41 for an up close look at the Atlas Five rocket before getting front row seats to the launch.
Bill Nye the Science Guy from the popular children’s television program, as well as Will.i.am, member of the famed musical group, Black Eyed Peas and STEM education proponent, were on hand to speak to the crowd and add even more excitement to the event.
It was a truly amazing experience, but I also had my eyes opened to the fascinating projects NASA works on outside of the shuttle program and will continue to learn as I follow Twitter feeds, YouTube accounts and Facebook pages belonging to NASA.
Are you looking to make your social media debut or wanting to enhance existing efforts? Why not do it with a splash and offer something spectacular to turn heads online.
