Lab+7

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The idea/fact that social media can boost your popularity and eventually lead to profits is not a new one, and Calgary’s mayor, Naheed Nenshi is a living product which shows the amount of power social networks has.

His professional-looking website, Facebook and twitter account played a major rule in his winning the election. Encouraging his friends and followers to call at least 10 people and get them to vote from him was just a tip of the iceberg. Nenshi’s website included “issue-oriented podcasts, promotional and biographical videos, archived radio commercials, copies of columns he wrote for the Calgary Herald, and links to his own iPod/iPhone app.” every page on his site urged viewers to volunteer, vote and donate. Telling people what to do is a very powerful thing, especially when the Internet makes it very easy (with the click of a button).

He also used his twitter account to “push policies, announce upcoming appearances, and engage followers on fun issues, such as which tie he should wear on election day.” this kind of “People” involvement appeals to the intimate side of individuals, allowing them to form a direct connection with him. The direct connection to so many passionate supporters proved as a huge advantage during Nenshi’s campaign, “By election day, Nenshi had more Facebook friends than Toronto's three front-running mayoral candidates combined.”

If he continues to listen, honour and engage his audience, giving them a feeling of ownership in his work, his term in office could be a very successful one. We have seen other popular figures use the power of social networking to their advantage. The most notable is US President Barack Obama who also used his website, Facebook and Twitter influence to appeal to a diverse range of potential voters. Both candidates were able to tap into a reserve, a group of people who did not vote or care to vote, the younger generation. “Social media's ability to engage younger people and those well out of the political mainstream” proved to help President Barack Obama and Nenshi. Nenshi’s campaign revitalized local politics, increasing Calgary's voting turn out from 33% in 2007 to 53%. - []
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