Social Media and ACI

7/1/2013

It may come as a surprise that television has a new rival: social media. Social media users spend an average of 3.2 hours each day on social networking sites, which rivals television viewership in many countries. Social media—web-based platforms for user-generated content—include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and many more.

Why does ACI care? Social media represent a shift in how we connect, learn, and discover. ACI launched its social media efforts in 2008 to help promote ACI scholarships to students. Today, ACI uses social media as a means to connect with its constituents and advance concrete knowledge globally. ACI, its members, customers, and students turn to the Institute’s social channels for immediate news, technology exchange, and community. Consider:

YouTube: YouTube’s global platform is not only rede­fining entertainment, but it is also revolutionizing education. YouTube brings learners and educators together. On the ACI YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/AmericanConcreteInst), 200 videos that include technical presen­tations recorded at ACI conventions and events are available for global, on-demand viewing.

Twitter: Twitter is a means of sharing timely information. Hundreds of ACI’s leaders, members, staff, and chapters are regularly tweeting about local events, personal accomplishments, new industry research, and new concrete projects. ACI is fostering a virtual global community of diverse and intelligent concrete professionals. Thousands of people and organizations follow ACI on Twitter (www.twitter.com/ConcreteACI), making it easy to find others across the globe with similar interests, share immediate updates, and even interact with fellow event attendees. For example, during the 5-day ACI convention in Minneapolis back in April, over 60 people at the convention tweeted about their experiences. Their tweets were seen by over 33,000 others and had a total impression of over 513,000! Topics included insights from sessions, notes of congratulations to the many award recipients, and photos and videos of conven­tion happenings. Further, this engagement provides those unable to attend with a taste of ACI convention activities. You can follow ACI’s account (@ConcreteACI) on Twitter; you can connect with ACI’s conventions team (@ACIConvention); and, for the latest in scholarships and emerging technology, you can follow the ACI Foundation (@ACIFoundation).

Facebook: Today, 80% of Americans between the ages of 13 to 24 are on Facebook (more than half are active every day) and the age group of 45 to 54 is the fastest growing demographic on Facebook. Facebook is an efficient channel for the Institute to expand its knowledge promulgation by communicating industry advancement, technical innovation, and scholarship opportunities.

Over 80% of the 20,000 users connecting with ACI’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AmericanConcreteInstitute) live outside the United States. Thousands of engineers, con­tractors, students, professors, and others worldwide are receiving updates from the Institute. In addition, these global users announce new technologies, solicit technical guidance, and share photos of innovative projects, making this channel an efficient venue for facilitating two-way commu­­­­nications between so many of ACI’s global constituents. Similarly, many ACI chapters and student chapters have created Face­book pages to facilitate communications between them and their constituents. For examples, visit www.facebook.com/ACILouisiana, www.facebook.com/MissouriSTACIChapter, www.facebook.com/ACIKLChapter, and www.facebook.com/ACIP.MSC.

LinkedIn: With over 187 million users in 200 countries, LinkedIn is a means of connecting people. ACI’s LinkedIn group provides industry professionals an opportunity to connect with each other, identify potential partners/customers, and solicit technical guidance from others. On a daily basis, the 23,000 individual members of ACI’s LinkedIn group hold regular conversations with each other in this professional setting. Additionally, many of ACI’s student members create individual profiles to connect with classmates, industry leaders, and potential employers.

Social proof: Facebook likes, Twitter followers, and LinkedIn connections are badges of social proof and they matter. For those new to ACI, social badges reflect another’s experience or opinions. As a leading authority on concrete, ACI’s social proof is important as we are discovered by the Net Generation and beyond.

Educating, sharing information, building community, and generating awareness are all means of leveraging our authority of concrete. I am happy to see the Institute extend our reach and ensure our relevance through social media.

Anne M. Ellis (@AnneEllis12)
American Concrete Institute

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