Barack Obama’s Facebook strategy

Posted by Natasha D'Souza on Jan 12, 2009 in Blog, new media, new media review, new media strategy | 1 comment

With an unlimited budget you can have a very solid web and social media strategy.  Here is an analysis of one of the many social networks and how it was customized towards the audience on this site.

Facebook Applications

There were many Facebook applications e.g. Barack Obama supporters, Barack Obama for President, Barack Obama fan, Barack Obama – Yes, We Can, Obamagrams,Obamarama …..  Some were developed by his campaign team and the rest by others because they have a lot of time on their hands.

A custom FB application called Obama was created.  This application lets you share the news items, blog posts, speeches, videos that most inspire you to support Barack Obama.

The official facebook page has the Obama application button installed with the call to action button”find out where to vote now”.  It also offered favorite stories and videos targeted at this audience.

Facebook Page

Numerous facebook pages all linked together.  His official page had 3,667,117 supporters.  So every time any information was listed here it was easily accessible to 3 million people!!!

Favorite Pages

His team was very open to various groups taking his logo and adapting it towards their needs.  These special interest groups were linked to his Facebook Page via the Favorite Pages option thus providing one stop shopping.

YouTube Box

This application posted the relevant videos fromYouTube here.  Not all videos where here but targeted videos by his team.

Notes

Updates on where Obama was going to be on various TV shows, venus etc..updates on issues, policies, guest posts, inspirational posts to raise further funds.  Fun items like update your profile pictures.

On voting day a link to the polling application was posted here.

Photos

Numerous photo albums highlighting not only his personal life but his campaign trail starting in Springfield.  This is well done as it shows his policital side as well as his more human side.

Now who’s not gonna love this…  check out the comments….

Posted Items

Before his Election Night speech, Barack sent out a message to his supporters.

“I’m about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don’t want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign — every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it’s time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign. We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I’ll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing…

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,

Barack”

If you are just an ordinary citizen the chances of the President elect sending a personal note are close to none.  With his FB channel he was able to thank everyone for voting for him.

Supporters

Over 3 million supporters on facebook alone!!!!  All these people gave their feedback, posted videos, photos etc…

Events

Select events were posted here, not a whole lot but enough to generate interest.

His online presence  was similar in the other social networking sites with targeted messages going out in these channels.  This form of communication where the barriers are broken down and the average joe can provide their feedback is very powerful.

These various sites are still being used my his team during the transition and it remains to be seen how they will morph as he takes office soon.

I have mixed feelings about this, on the one hand I am thrilled about thise social media channels.  On the flip side I have a bit of concern that they could be used to push his agenda.  So the other politicians and special interest groups should take the time to also participate in this space so that the American people are getting a well rounded picture and not that of a sole individual.