Dear all,
I hope this email finds you safe and well, and in anticipation of a full summer of flying ahead!
In Carl Finch’s absence, I have agreed to take on the role of managing the club’s social media output. Whilst I don’t intend to try and reinvent the wheel, with GA flying already making a strong comeback after covid, I think there is an opportunity for the club to increase its presence in an already strong online GA community.
I will be closely coordinating my efforts with Mark Wingrove so as to increase traffic on the HAC website as well. My intention is to support the website, rather than detract from it.
Clearly however, this needs to be a team effort, therefore I implore all of you to assist me in this role by supporting the following;
1. News feed items
Clearly this will directly correlate with the news feed already on the website, and is a good opportunity for us to celebrate achievements and other newsworthy items such as staff appointments etc. Now as much as I’d love to spend all my time at the airfield, clearly this isn’t possible therefore I ask that all of you can bear this in mind when flying. Anything from first solos, solo landaways, test passes, and even first time experience flights would be of interest to the wider audience. Might I ask instructors in particular to bear this in mind, as clearly student pilots have more important things to consider on these occasions!
2. Throwback/on this day
Style posts. Similar to above, but we have an opportunity to retrospectively celebrate achievements. These can be linked to specific dates, or can be filtered in when the feed is quiet. As well as the above, we could also feature past expeds, airfield visits (such as the recent Catalina visit) and I’m sure there is a huge archive of events that I’m unaware of. I’d suggest the more historic the better!
3. General posts
In order to keep a steady flow of traffic (no pun intended…) I will spend an afternoon at the airfield, when the weather is better, and take some generic ‘stock’ photos which can be trickled out on a regular basis to keep the social media audience engaged. Again feel free to share with me any old photos, no matter how ‘run of the mill’.
If you feel you can contribute to any of the above, please take a couple of photos, or ask someone to help with ‘action shots’ such as pre flight, briefing, planning etc. Whilst this might sound trivial, there is an abundance of similar content from other flying clubs around the UK and to the right audience it is very engaging. And rest assured that phone cameras are generally more than good enough quality for social media.
I don’t profess to be a social media expert by any means, so if anyone else has any ideas please do not hesitate to suggest them to me. Please use either this email address (socialmedia@haltonaeroclub.co.uk) or WhatsApp me on 07709339279.
We are also seeking website editors that can help to keep the newsfeed fresh on the website. No previous experience necessary, full training given over Zoom. Typically 1 – 2hrs a week would be the sort of commitment we are looking for. Please let myself or Mark Wingrove know if this is something you feel you could contribute to.
Many thanks in advance for your input, and I look forward to seeing you all at the club in due course, when normality is finally resumed!
Kind regards,
James
James Lawrence
Social Media Coordinator
Halton Aero Club