Did Social Media Marketing Help Get Obama Elected?

Posted by Ty
January 23, 2009

If you know me well, I do not get involved with politics, nor talk about it.  This post is simply stating some facts, and the gross reality that social media is extremely powerful, and no doubt helped Obama into the White House.  Before we get into those details, I thought I would have some fun first to show how different the White House web site looks today compared to 2000.  Below are snapshots of the White House web site back in February 2000, and what it looks like today, January 20th, 2009.

What to look for?  First, take a look at this miserable, yet effective for the day, web site for the White House in 2000.  It accomplished everything it was supposed to for the day.  Amazing when you think this was only 9 years ago!  No contact us button, no interaction, just a few links, but it worked for the times.

wh2000 thumb Did Social Media Marketing Help Get Obama Elected?

Now take a look at the 2009 White House web site, you see any changes? Of course! Obama has stressed he wants a “transparent” administration, one that is based on feedback, and interaction, and had ordered the new WH site to reflect that.  So take a look at the “Social” aspects of this site, I have highlighted them in red.

wh2009 thumb Did Social Media Marketing Help Get Obama Elected?

Why so much emphasis on social media? It works.  Never before have we been able to touch so many people, ‘be friend’ them on social circles, watch live videos, reach so many people so quickly…it’s called ”Word of Mouse” today.

In addition, social media helps to get user generated feedback, so if his mission is to hear from the “People”, social media will get him just that, especially since the new WH site makes it very easy to contact them. 

Now, to illustrate how powerful social media worked for the election (Works in general), take a look at these stats leading up to the election on just a few of the major social media sites:

Social Media Site                 Barack Obama                   John McCain

Facebook Suporters                2,444,384                              627, 459

Facebook wall posts                   495,320                              132,802

Twitter                                             506,000                                44,800

Twitter followers                           115, 623                                   4911

Twitter updates                                     262                                        25

YouTube                                          358,000                             191,000

YouTube videos                                  1,819                                     330

Posted by Candidate

YouTube friends                                25,226                                 None

Flickr                                                    73,076                               15,168

Flickr photo streams                       50,218                                  None

 

Enough said.  As you can see there was a huge disparity with the efforts, and support on the major social media outlets between these two.  Think of all the people they reached whereas they could not have reached years ago…….. all because of Social Media my friends.

  For Mr. McCain, it’s clear to me he did not put as much effort into SM, thus not reach as many, and it’s obvious he lost touch with some people.  Again, this post is not meant to be political, but to make a simple point, and that is social media is powerful and alive in 2009. 

If you own a web site business, or are interested in branding a product, or yourself, just implementing SEO is not enough today, you absolutely must embrace social media, get involved, take the time, choose social media sites that best fit you or your business, and get social!

* I would love your feedback on this post.  What do you think, do you think Social Media helped in this election?

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5 Did Social Media Marketing Help Get Obama Elected?
Social Media, Ty

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  • Amazing blog, I am regular visitor of this website, keep up the good work.
  • These information helps me consider some useful things, keep up the good work.
  • Of course Social Media help him a lot, I do believe the power of Social Media Networks.
  • Social media marketing is one of the common thing for advertisement and promotion. The results are also good. so people always prefer to advertise their business and products by Social media marketing.
  • Off course, if the information get shared though Social Media sites, then it help to get elected..
  • Several things in here' haven't considered before.Thank you for making this type of awesome publish that is really perfectly written, is going to be mentioning lots of buddies relating to this. Maintain blogging.
  • Excellent information.. which I believe will be very useful for me.
  • Some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks a lot!
  • social media in the uk doesnt seem to have as much influence
  • yes ,social media marketing will surely help obama get elected in some way.
  • Socialmediamarketingwzrd
    Excellent and clear example of importance of Social Media Marketing . As do Social me dia marketing for small type of business i ma very happy to see poeple to high-fi profile also trust Social Media
  • Really it great work.. I agree this.. Always social media doing a great job.. Thanks for this..
  • seo
    Excellent! It accomplished everything it was supposed to for the day. It accomplished everything it was supposed to for the day.
  • Perfect jobs! Its really a dream social media marketing help get Obama elected. Thanks :)
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