Shawn Fisher Responds to Todd Kirrane About Expanding Use of Technologies to Improve Communication
Todd Kirrane: As the editor of American Dancer Magazine you have a solid understanding of the current communication capabilities of the National organization. What do you see are ways to expand use of new technologies to improve communication between nationals and individual members on both the DanceSport & Social sides?
Great question Todd – this is an important topic. The world of communication is changing. As I mentioned in my statement, I am very interested in involving more people on a national level. One way of doing that is through technology. Please find below some suggestions.
Facebook: As you already know, USA Dance currently has multiple accounts on Facebook. I think the election process being conducted on FB will help to publicize these areas and get the members more accustomed to using this technology.
Email blasts: USA Dance already uses Constant Contact extensively to communicate with leadership and DanceSport athletes. Not only can USA Dance reach thousands of people through this facility, it collects useful information about how engaged the readers are with these emails by tracking open rates and click rates. This helps us measure the reach and effectiveness of our email communications.
Websites/Blogs: USA Dance already has a website that is full of information. However, its ability to interact with members and the public through the website is limited. If a blog feature could be added to the website or set up separately, readers can comment and interact more easily with USA Dance. This may be a good way to extend or supplement the interactivity that is available on Facebook.
Online Survey Systems: Survey systems such as Survey Monkey can and should be used to allow the membership to offer advice and give feedback concerning policies and procedures. I currently participate in a National Geographic group that covers topics ranging from ‘what would you like to see in the magazine’ to ‘how did you [like] the cover’. I feel this could be a useful tool within USA Dance.
Twitter: Twitter can also be a powerful communication tool. In short bursts of text, it can update all those who follow USA Dance on Twitter. It can be a useful way to drive traffic to the website, Facebook pages and blog (if USA Dance had one). Replying to tweets and sending direct messages is easy on Twitter. Followers of USA Dance can re-tweet our tweets to further spread a message across the country, even across the globe.
All that said, USA Dance still includes many members who do not avail themselves of currently available technology, and we still need to have an open means of communication with this group through the American Dancer, direct mail and possibly phone software.
Summing it all up, in the 21st century, people get their information and news through many different sources, not just phone and email anymore. USA Dance must be well-versed in existing technologies that enable us to cost-effectively and quickly reach thousands – perhaps even millions – of people with the touch of a button. Such power cannot be underestimated or undervalued. We need to use all forms of communications at our disposal to reach our members and anyone in the world who wants to know who we are and what we are all about.