The Appalachian Sports Desk Social Media Campaign

Over the next several weeks, I will be assuming control over the sports desk Instagram and Twitter of the Appalachian State campus newspaper, The Appalachian. This is in an effort to increase the desk's online presence and further establish the Instagram account in particular.

The Appalachian seeks to be the go-to source for all on-campus news, including sports. A huge part of journalism in the modern age is to have a social media presence and be readily available on the go. The desk has already taken steps in this direction, creating a Twitter account in 2012 that has amassed nearly 1400 followers. However, the desk’s Instagram account has only been active for a little over a year and has only gained 300 followers in that time.

To begin increasing Instagram followers, I will increase the frequency of posts as well as the quality of post to entice both more likes from current followers and new followers to join. I will also connect the account to the desk’s Twitter account and begin tweeting out Instagram posts so that the Twitter’s increased followership can help the Instagram become more available.

July 24, the Sun Belt Conference Media Day, is the only specific key date in the near future but that does not mean there are not opportunities to post. There are all sorts of things going on on-campus or with alumni during that time that will be key but are not necessarily date specific.

My main goal is to increase the Instagram followership and thus its reach. Photography is a key aspect of sports journalism and helping strengthen the foundation of the account can only help the desk in the years to come.

*Logo taken from @TheAppSports twitter account