Interactivity in the White House

In previous posts we have looked at the importance of interactivity in social media, and the companies that have worked so hard to implement it.  Companies that have established their own forms of interactivity are prospering in consumer relations are constantly learning new ways to improve their products and services.

Companies are not the only people using social media.  Other organizations and individuals are jumping on the Web 2.0 “bandwagon”.  One major individual has entered the social media world.  He is none other than President Barack Obama.

Since the beginning of the election race President Obama has used social media through his Twitter site.  This was used to keep followers updated on locations of his speeches and other updates on the road to Election Day.

Since the inauguration in January there has not been a tweet from the webpage.  That is until March 25.  The tweet explained President Obama’s new social media idea called Open For Questions.  This will become a forum for people to ask President Obama about his new policies and their concerns for the economy.

Karen Travers on the ABC News blog wrote about the new social media tool.  In her post, “President Obama is ‘Open for Questions’ Online” she explained the Obama campaign was the first in history to use the internet to the best of its ability.  She sees it as no surprise that they would continue using this tool to communicate with the public during the president’s term in office.

In a previous blog by a fellow student of mine, Mandy Smoot, she discusses the effects of President Obama’s blog found on the White House website.  This blog is clearly written by employees that work for Obama, and are providing readers with up-to-date information about the whereabouts and procedures of Obama’s meetings with other politicians.

The major difference between the president’s blog and the new Open for Questions tool is that President Obama himself will be answering the questions directly to the public.  This is a great form of interactivity and it is also a great way to gain trust from the public.  President Obama is truely committed to rebuilding the public’s trust in the government, and with the growing popularity of social media this is one of the best ways to start.

For more information on the Open for Questions campaign here is a video explanation from President Obama.