Connecting with state Rep. Murrell Smith online is just a click away on Facebook or Twitter as he takes advantage of the Internet and social media to reach constituents.
Smith, R-Sumter, is discovering the benefits of having accounts on both social media sites along with his new Web site, launched last month.
“Technology played a huge factor in the presidential campaign, in getting the message out to voters,” Smith said. “As voters become more sophisticated in computers and new technology, you have to keep up.”
Smith said he had thought about it for some time. Then Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House, told a group of Columbia legislators they had better get a Web site and get on Facebook and Twitter, because “that’s what voters want,” Smith said.
“I think he’s absolutely correct,” Smith said. “That’s the way to build a database of constituents. And, you can reach them much easier and cheaper than we have done in the past. I want people to see what’s on my mind and what’s on the mind of my constituents.”
Smith said he’s not a technophile. He said he’s been on a learning curve in recent years when it comes to computers and only recently understood the implications of social media. For his Web site, he hired a consulting group, which does regular updates.
But slowly, he’s figuring it all out.
“It took me two months to build the Web site,” he said. “I had to produce pictures, write up my position on certain issues, write a blog, find news articles, attach links. Just this week, I went to Columbia and shot a little welcome video for the site.”
On the Facebook and Twitter accounts he sends out regular updates about what he is working on as well as various statements. As soon as the scandal broke about Gov. Mark Sanford, for example, Smith “tweeted” that he was embarrassed. He later posted a full statement about whether he believed the governor should resign after admitting to a love affair with a woman in Argentina.
Friday, Smith had 140 Facebook friends and about 1,080 Twitter followers. He responded to a “friend” request within minutes.
“I’m on Facebook daily,” he said. “I have an iPhone where I receive e-mails and posts to my accounts. And I type my tweets and Facebook updates into it. But obviously I’m still trying to learn how to do certain things, like posting videos and links.”
Prior to speaking events, Smith encourages people to check his Web site and register for his newsletter. He recently sent out hundreds of questionnaires online, instead of paying to mail them, and said he saw an unprecedented 40 to 50 percent response rate.
The feedback from constituents, he said, has been very positive.
Any regrets?
Only that he hadn’t done it sooner.
By ANNABELLE ROBERTSON
Item Staff Writer
