What else is there to do this week than to crank out a Top 10 list about something. Social media has turned our world upside down and kept us one click or touch away from what is happening right now. Similar to last year’s list, here are the top 10 stories of our own Lehigh Valley from 2010 which had a social media element to them. Thanks to all our followers and readers out there who suggested and nominated some of these items, you see below. Enjoy!
10 – Readers Choice awards for Black Forest Deli and Hosfeld Insurance
In August, the Morning Call had a Readers Choice contest where nominations were accepted and top nominees were awarded Readers Choice awards. With the power of social media and momentum, two long time active participants in social media, Black Forest Deli and Hosfeld Insurance took home awards in their respective categories Best Deli in the Valley and Best Local Insurance Agency. Maybe you attended one of their parties to celebrate? Congrats ladies!
9 – More Local Businesses embrace Facebook and Twitter
The number of local businesses that now use Twitter and Facebook is abundant. While you can’t follow them all (effectively, that is), you can certainly find your favorites. Businesses are a lot more engaging since the start of 2010 than previously. Some that come to mind, (the non-award winning ones that is) are Shuze, Moravian Book Store, Brew Works, ArtsQuest, Sands Casino, Morning Call, Starfish Brasserie, and the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. If any others come to mind, feel free to leave them in the comments section. My apologies in advance.
8 – CelticFest App
Mobile apps was where it was at in 2010. CelticFest was one of the first to get it out there and made the event jump up a notch. It kept you up-to-date on everything taking place at the festival and downloads and stored the information on your mobile phone, iPod Touch, or iPad so it works with or without an internet connection. More info on that app at http://www.celticfest.org/info. Well done.
7 – Lehigh Valley Hospital begins a No Texting While Driving Campaign raising awareness
In one of the largest public awareness campaigns in the Lehigh Valley and nationwide, Lehigh Valley Health Network lauched http://www.celllimit0.com where they talk about the urgent call to action to stop texting and using mobile devices while driving. The website states: “Each year, 6,000 Americans die in car crashes caused by distracted driving—and cell phone use is by far the greatest distraction. Studies indicate that talking on a mobile device quadruples your risk for a crash (raising it to the same risk level as driving drunk). “If you’re text messaging, you are eight times more likely to crash,” says health network trauma surgeon Robert Barraco, M.D.”. As of last week, they have distributed 10,500 magnets and close to 500 lawn signs.
6 – laini’s little books go electronic
These books have been around for a few years now (since 2007, the launch of the 1st Easton guide). but 2010 saw the launch of a website, blog entries and weekly lists of “9” things to do each weekend. Not sure why 9, but it’s unique. Relevant and timely content get pushed to her Facebook fan pages and Twitter feeds for all to see (and share / retweet / etc.). It all mashes up nicely at http://www.littlepocketguide.com, which features a great way to end the year – laini’s list of 9 – New Year’s Weekend!
5 – Foursquare SWARM badge unlocked at Musikfest
One social media intregrated app that exploded on the scene in 2010 is Foursquare. It’s (in my opinion) the market leader in geo-location based apps out there. When 50+ people are checked in to a location on Foursquare – it’s a foursquare flashmob! Not too many Lehigh Valley locations can get 50+ checkins at one location. We got about 30-some at the LVTweetups from time-to-time. Musikfest is just the event to make that happen though, and on Friday the 13th. That night of Musikfest saw the badge get unlocked. If you were one of the 50+ who did it, congrats! Here’s @thuk18045’s Swarm badge.
4 – Bethlehem Horses Tweet, Morning Call and NBC10 Philly covers the controversy
How TMZ missed this one, I am not sure. One staple at Musikfest are the mounted police patrol horses. Suddently, they started tweeting. As the profile states: “We are the horses who protect you during MUSIKFEST in Bethlehem! Horses can’t tweet, this is a parody. Idiot.” and links to Lehigh Valley with Love. This was covered by the Morning Call, and then NBC10 even came up for the story and interviewed official PR LVwithLove correspondent George Wacker (Facebook profile) about it. See the NBC10 clip about it.
3 – LVTweetup turns 1, storms the Valley monthly.
Our @LVTweetup birthday cake
Back in April, we had our 1 year anniversary for LVTweetup. We even had a cake from Backdoor Bakeshop to go with our pint-glass giveaway. This year we went to Musikfest, CelticFest, and an IronPigs game as well as the local nightlife scene places. Look for more great places and event in the coming year. And thanks to our sponsors for all the great giveaways and promo items. All your support is appreciated by all!! Follow the Tweetup on Twitter at @lvtweetup along with the current 1,130 followers.
2 – Callahan and Dent (and Towne) for Congress
The battle for this seat in Congress made #7 in the Stories of 2010 by WFMZ. While the candidates did nothing out of the ordinary when it came to social media, it was the power of the people’s voice that kept the social media airwaves going through the fall leading up to Election Day. Social media is one way that the demographics of Americans that weren’t as active at the polls stay informed and stay motivated to get out and vote each election. This is where 1992 MTV called to say they are proud of you – back then it was called “Rock the Vote”.
1 – Two Days in a Cube, 70,000 Text Messages, One Winner, One Wacker.
They said it couldn’t be done (well, maybe they didn’t, but still..) The Tweetup community picked one lucky fellow George Wacker (Facebook profile) to rally behind and vote their way to Mayfair’s Morning Call sponsored 2 Days in a Cube contest to win a 2010 Nissan Cube. Among the five contestants, George came out on top thanks to a large following of votes, tweets, a Facebook fan page, and facebook posts to remind us, and many ancillary viral marketing moments throughout the month of May.
Feel free to leave a comment below with thoughts, opinions, commentary, etc. After all, isn’t that what social media is for?? Happy 2011 all.. See you online!
Below is the press release for the upcoming Lehigh Valley Tweetup. MS Word format is available 
Create the Buzz... 