I love a good story. It’s one of the main reasons I pursued a career in social media marketing. Storytelling is the heart of what social media is, and it can be a powerful vehicle for brands to relinquish their marketing armor and genuinely show consumers what they are about while connecting with them unlike ever before. But sometimes I think we forget where it all started — and no, I’m not talking about Zuckerberg. Before the cat memes, before the Instagrammed dinner photos, and before the paid ads, there were only conversations and pictures.
Facebook and Twitter didn’t start out as tools to help businesses connect to consumers — that came later. Before the focus on metrics, conversions, or the return on investment, it was just about good old-fashioned sharing and conversation. No platform showcases this better than Twitter.
With Twitter’s real-time element, it’s no surprise that it’s the platform of choice for campaigns and events. Whether users are searching for updates on an NBA game or breaking news, Twitter is the reliable sister platform that provides the most up-to-date information and conversation capabilities. These same qualities also make Twitter an ideal platform for advocacy.
Twitter is providing a stage for people to amplify their voices and unite in the spirit of causes that move them. I noticed this big time during the month of May, which is Mental Health Month. Those living with a mental health condition (which is 1 in 5 adults) and their supporters have been flocking to Twitter to provide comfort and awareness in hopes of removing stigmas surrounding the topic as their voices powerfully roar, “you are not alone.”
#LifeUnfiltered
Kate Fagan of espnw.com wrote an eye-opening piece on Penn State track star Madison Holleran who took her own life during her freshman year of college. From the outside looking in, Madison appeared to have it all — or so her social media pages would suggest. But as Fagan points out, sometimes real life doesn’t look like what we show on our Facebook pages. Holleran’s family used this article to spread the message that “it’s OK to not be OK” and to encourage people to share their stories via #LifeUnfiltered on Twitter.
3 million hits, 7 million views for @katefagan3's piece on #LifeUnfiltered for @espnW. Tremendous. http://t.co/H0XHkhwci4
— Tony Reali (@TonyReali) May 15, 2015
Always. #LifeUnfiltered pic.twitter.com/6snQRnYj9E
— Shimmy Gray-Miller (@shimmy33) May 14, 2015
@KevinBreel
Kevin Breel is a 21-year-old writer, comedian, and activist for mental health who gave a TED talk about his experience with living with depression. He now goes on tour in support of his activist efforts and shares his story through motivational speeches.
Life is complex. Four yrs ago I wrote a suicide note. Today, someone wrote me to say they're throwing their note away. Thanks #BellLetsTaIk
— Kevin Breel (@KevinBreel) January 29, 2015
@Stampstigma
Stamp Out Stigma is a campaign of the Association of Behavioral Health and Wellness that aims to eliminate the negative stigmas associated with mental illness and substance abuse. On its Twitter feed, users can find resources for coping, a reassuring voice of understanding, and Twitter chats hosted on the platform via #SOSChat that feature special guests and guided topics.
Today's the day! Please join #SOSChat at 1pm ET with Special Guests @PJK4brainhealth and @kennedyforum! #mhmonth2015 pic.twitter.com/RBThIDAjTo
— Stamp Out Stigma (@StampStigma) May 11, 2015
@NamiCommunicate
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) uses Twitter to provide others with a platform to share their stories, news updates on the current state of the industry, and resources for those living with mental illnesses and their supporters. NAMI also has local chapters that provide local resources for awareness and help.
Kindness, caring, acceptance. How to help a friend with a #mentalhealth challenge? #HopeStartsWithYou http://t.co/H8hWxAPZFP
— NAMI (@NAMICommunicate) May 18, 2015
"I am glad to know that my recovery can help others." TY Kevin Earley #31stories31days #stepup4mentalhealth http://t.co/zhu2xQpYUq
— NAMI (@NAMICommunicate) May 13, 2015
#MHAW15 #MentalHealthMonth
Hashtags surrounding Mental Health Awareness Week and Mental Health Month lend users a digital mic to share personal accounts of their experiences with mental health conditions. The result is a high level of support from those who can relate and those who want to spread the message of awareness.
I wrote a scary-but-cathartic piece for @TheDebrief about my career and my anxiety disorder. http://t.co/9tfckvU179 #MHAW15
— Daisy Buchanan (@NotRollergirl) May 13, 2015
@depressionarmy
The Depression Army is a community on Twitter that acts as a sounding board and safe haven for mental health conditions. It provides solace, encouragement, reassuring support, and connection to allies for those living with mental health conditions.
We have thought and felt strange and awful things but we are not strange and awful. #depressionarmy pic.twitter.com/hxlcBnkFhA
— Depression Army™ (@depressionarmy) May 19, 2015
Through these avenues and more, many people and organizations are finding ways to connect, support, and advocate for mental health awareness on Twitter. The platform continues to serve as a comforting and knowledgeable channel that turns small individual whispers into one amplified voice for advocacy, one tweet at a time.
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Hurrdat is a Lincoln, Neb. digital marketing agency specializing in social media and content marketing. The company was founded in 2010 and merged with B² Interactive of Omaha, Neb. in 2014 bringing even more digital marketing specialties to both firms’ clients. Together they provide a full range of social media, SEO, and website development services to both national brands and local clients. The companies employ more than 75 people in Nebraska and have won multiple awards for their business efforts, company culture, and clients’ campaigns.
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