You can now “like” Owen Sound — as in, on Facebook.
The city recently marked its entry into the world of social media by launching a new Facebook page and also joining Twitter and YouTube.
The plan is to market Owen Sound to people living outside the city — whether it be former residents or those who have never been here but would like to learn more.
Manager of Economic Development and Tourism Steve Furness says the city’s special events department has spearheaded the creation of a number of videos on events like the Emancipation Festival and the Hottest Yard Sale Under the Sun.
And prizes are being given away for milestone “likes” of the city’s Facebook page — the 100th person to join, 200th person, and so on.
Furness tells Bayshore Broadcasting News the policy has been in the works for the last year or so.
Furness says it wasn’t as simple as deciding to join Facebook and setting up a page — staff had to create a policy and determine how best to present the city to the world.
People who will have the ability to update the city’s social media sites were then briefed on that policy before things went live, so to speak.
Furness says, more and more, communities are turning to social media to promote themselves on the internet.
He feels it’s imperative that Owen Sound do the same in order to keep pace with, or keep ahead of, rivals for business development.
Furness says it also fits right in with the city’s new slogan and identity about being a place where people want to live.
