SNPJ blog, new Facebook features online
January 31, 2012 - Joseph C. Evanish, SNPJ National President
IMPERIAL, Pa. — SNPJ began its online presence with the introduction of its web site, snpj.org, in 1997. The web site evolved over the years to its current new look that was introduced last July. We also have the following affiliated web sites: snpjrec.com for the SNPJ Recreation Center, snpjheritage.org for the SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center, and alpineroom.com for the beautiful banquet hall at the SNPJ Recreation Center.
Most certainly, we want to expand awareness of SNPJ and the legacy we’ve built for generations of strengthening families and communities through service, member benefits and solid financial protection, including excellent life insurance products and annuities. Today’s Internet technologies go far beyond a traditional web site and avail us to various ways for SNPJ to be discovered.
In recent years, social media has really exploded as a means to communicate online interactively. The number of people using social media today is really astounding. According to Forrester Research, in 2010 about 82 percent of Americans were using social media. This includes 97 percent of young adults age 18-24, which shows that virtually every child is growing up with social media. But it also includes 70 percent of those age 55 and older. So it’s not just for “young adults.”
Facebook has become the most dominant social media platform, reaching 750 million users. It is said that if Facebook was a country, it would be the world’s third largest. A few years ago SNPJ started its own Facebook page at the initiative of some of our Internet-savvy young adult members. This year we will be encouraging more proactive engagement with the goal of seeing more interactive conversations on our page, and thus more interest in SNPJ. So don’t forget to “Like” us on SNPJ’s Facebook page.
Another way of reaching both SNPJ members and potential members with relevant, interesting and value-added information is through a blog. In 2004 there were roughly two million blogs; today, that number has grown to about 200 million. I am happy to announce that SNPJ has launched its own blog thanks to the efforts of our Web Management Team of Jay Sedmak, Kimberly Gonzalez, Kevin Richards and myself, along with some outside expertise.
We hope to provide valuable information that followers may be interested in commenting on. And we do invite you to become an SNPJ blog follower. Many categories of interest will develop on the blog since SNPJ has so many different activities, events, purposes and benefits. You may learn about an interesting SNPJ Heritage Center display, a few words about the need for life insurance, information on the next bowling tournament, or even see a funny video. The blog will be a way to keep up to date on SNPJ communications. You can then join in the conversation on Facebook.
The SNPJ blog resides on this web site, snpj.org, and is easily accessed through the site navigation. Check it out soon, and then be sure to visit the blog often. The easiest way to remind yourself to pay a return visit is by subscribing to the blog. Just enter your e-mail address in the “Subscribe” box and you’ll receive updates on SNPJ blog activity. So let’s start blogging!