Usually we all agree that social networking has great potential to reach the masses. We may initiate conversations with people all over the world ... and that is excellent. But I truly feel a bit empty about that. How can I reach locals using these same platforms?
In my limited notions I am...
1) Using
www.nearbytweets.com to find local Twitterers and following them. They do not always follow back. Sometimes they do. But when they tweet the needs of a friend ... or themselves ... sickness, etc. I can send them a message letting them know I'm praying for them. This could initiate a conversation...and it has for me. I also have in mind creating a local tweet-up, but I haven't made it that far.
2) Using Facebook network to become "friends" with locals. Again, they may not allow you to be their friends, but many will. While many people have tons of contacts, there are many people out there who have few contacts and are too shy to establish more. Our outreach to them could be a starting place as they begin to learn more about us.
3) Can we search for local bloggers and become commenters on their blogs? Yes.
4) Our local newspaper has an online presence and comments can be left for the stories each day. Users are allowed to create blogs in that arena, which have potential to be read by a totally secular audience.
5) Invitations to studies, church events, or other formats of outreach can be cross-platformed if we Tweet them and Twitter is set up to post on (1) Twitter (obviously), (2) Facebook, and (3) blog. Reaching three audiences multiplies potentials.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on these ideas...see more ideas ... create more information for how to reach locals using social networking sites.
John Dobbs
Monroe, LA
www.johndobbs.com 
