June Social Media Star: Amanda Bunting Comen

Women are and always have been communicators, and now they are taking those skills and succeeding in social networking. According to Briansolis.com, 57% of Facebook and Twitter users and 50% of Linkedin users are female. Amanda Bunting Comen, program coordinator for the Center for Women, understands the growing importance of social networks, and is using them to communicate her message to the women of the Lowcountry.

The Center for Women is a non-profit organization whose mission is to make personal and professional success an everyday event for women in the Lowcountry. Currently, Amanda uses Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and a Lowcountry Women Blog as her social media tools, which allow to help the Center for Women to reach out to far more women than traditional advertising at a lower cost and have a larger reach, a big plus for any non-profit!

Here’s what Amanda had to say about social media:

What is your job/company/profession/title?

Program Coordinator/Webmistress, Center for Women

What was the first social media technology you used?

I hate to say it, but it was MySpace.

What is your favorite social media tool?

It’s a tie between Facebook and Twitter. They each have their own unique functions and uses for many different aspects of my life.

How have you used social media for your business/company and how has it benefited?

The Center for Women uses Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and has the Lowcountry Women Blog and it has all benefited us in so many ways. We’ve reached out to far more women via social media than traditional advertising – which for a small nonprofit the advertising budget is slim to none! Communicating with members, volunteers, speakers and reengaging with past board members are just some of the pluses.

How much time would you say you spend a day engaging social media?

A little bit here and there throughout the day probably adds up to a couple of hours.

How do you incorporate it into your day so it’s not a time waster?

I love Tweetdeck and how it combines Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc – such a time saver!

Is there a social media tool/technique that you think is underutilized that you would like people to know about?

LinkedIn doesn’t get as much attention as the others do, but I constantly meet folks that say it is all they are allowed to access at work. That is huge. I’m also frustrated with the Facebook vs. Twitter hype – use both, don’t neglect it and ENGAGE with your followers!

Where can people find you online and via social media?
http://www.c4women.org
http://twitter.com/amandabc
http://www.facebook.com/amandabc
http://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabc

Anything else?

I want to learn more about Foursquare!