Social Media Lessons To Learn From 3 American Cities

Social media is canvassing the nation, as nearly two-thirds of American adults use social networking sites, jumping nearly tenfold in the past 10 years, reports the Pew Research Center. From reputation management to global marketing, several American cities stand out for their use of networks to spread breaking news, ignite fervor for technological trends and reach wide audiences with enterprise communications. Here are social media cues to take from three standout cities.

Washington, D.C.

Since Men's Health magazine named Washington, D.C. as its "most socially networked" city in 2011, politicians and professionals in America's capital have used the medium to reach voters and alert the nation about divisive issues. President Barack Obama embraced the platform, earning nearly 70 million followers as of January 2016, placing him among top Twitter users worldwide, The Telegraph reports. Washington has become an attractive location for those willing to relocate for their social media careers, and trends include:

1. Fostering transparency. Whether there's controversy swirling, or someone is requesting clarification on an issue, social media allows users to come clean to their followers and the pubic about where they stand.
2. Connecting with current supporters and attracting new advocates. Social channels allow users to carefully craft personal branding messages.
3. Spreading news. Anyone with a smartphone can become a roving journalist, as social networks are used to publicize reforms affecting the nation.

San Francisco

With technology hub Palo Alto close by, San Francisco is one of the country's most tech-savvy cities attracting social media professionals from around the world. Venture Beat reported in 2013 that it was the city with the second-highest amount of social media careers. In San Francisco, the social media scene inspires by:

1. Constantly innovating. The San Francisco area is home to the headquarters of Facebook and Pinterest, two of the most prominent social networks in the world. These sites continually evolve to better fit user feedback and needs.
2. Using the latest tech tools. Home to tech giants like Hewlett-Packard and Tesla Motors, the San Francisco area is the birthplace to ingenious tech features that can be integrated into social media.
3. Giving access to tech leaders. Close to Stanford University, some of the country's brightest tech minds resides in the San Francisco area, as Palo Alto is ranked No. 1 in the country of populations having the most Master's and doctorate degrees, City-Data.com reports. Tech influencers may become early adopters of networks, helping spread the word while giving valuable feedback for refinement.

New York

The largest city in the country, New York City, is home to hustlers using social media to boost advertising and improve urbanization. With an abundant population, social networks are instrumental in residents connecting with government and reaching people around the world. The Occupy Wall Street movement, which began in 2011 and boasts more than 200,000 Twitter followers as of January 2016, has relied on activists using social to gain support and spread Occupy events around the country. Other ways New Yorkers have innovatively used social media include:

1. Granting intimate access to state government. The New York State government has its own social media policy that encourages residents to get in touch, as well as offers direct social media support via email.
2. Prioritizing social media within marketing strategies. In 2013, Venture Beat reported New York is the top place in the country to offer social media positions. Social's marketing influence can be seen in prominent places like Times Square, where billboard and video advertisements feature social hashtags or social network links.
3. Keeping public transportation users in the loop. A 2012 report funded by the Region II University Transportation Research Center at City College of New York found public transportation providers alleviate frustration of travelers by alerting them to issues regarding routing and construction delays through social media.

By examining social media usage and developments on citywide scales, individual users and small businesses can use their techniques to improve their own personal and professional relations.