Doing what I do for a living and working towards a Masters Degree in Social Media, I am often asked “What’s your favorite app or social platform?” The typical ones roll off the tongue but in the top three or four, you’ll find Storehouse. I’m always a little stunned when people say, “Store-what?”
Storehouse is the most awesome social app you apparently aren’t using.
When you combine talent that comes from Facebook, Apple and The Daily, you are bound to come up with something not only beautiful but user-friendly. Storehouse doesn’t disappoint. It’s the brain child of co- founders Mark Kawano and Tim Donnelly. They began their start-up in 2013 but didn’t launch the app (only on iOS devices) until January 2014.
I’m not a coder, a designer or a professional photographer so I can’t dive deep into any technical flaws or brilliance but I am a storyteller. With Snapchat, Instagram, Buzzfeed and the increasing presence of video and photos on Facebook, we are moving towards more visual communication at the speed of light. As a journalist, this pulls me to Storehouse.
Co-founder Mark Kawano told TechCrunch “We’re not targeting just photographers; we want to teach everyone that they can tell stories…We want Storehouse to be the really easy way to share and create stories. From photographers…to everyone, this is the shift in visual communication.”
As with all social platforms these days, Storehouse starts with a profile.
While I am a lover of Storehouse, I admit I tend to be more voyeur than participator and creator. It’s such a beautiful experience that I sometimes wonder if what I have to share is worthy. My contributions to date number three: Kelly’s Storehouse: @kfg5Horizons
The process really is quite simple. You import photos and videos. You position them. You choose a title. That’s where the must-dos end. You can choose to add text, captions or just let the pictures speak for themselves. Layouts vary but the best part is that you have options. You can clearly see Kawano’s inside knowledge of Apple as you manipulate your stories. For the end user, the layout options and beauty of the app are flawless.
In Storehouse, you follow and can be followed but note that all you do is public. You don’t have to be following someone to see all their work and anyone can follow you. You can search for people or use the almighty hashtag. Yes, Storehouse wisely aggregates topics using hashtags. Unlike Instagram, Storehouse is built for sharing. You can republish.
There aren’t many Community Rules in Storehouse outside the obvious copyright ones which makes it a space ripe for creativity.
If you need a little hand-holding, Storehouse has created communities to address what it calls “your moods.” It’s a collection of interests you can follow to publish and republish stories from like-minded souls. Take a look:
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Storehouse is not without its critics and the fact that it is not available on Android devices will hamper the start up from maximum reach. That said, I would expect nothing less from the mind of a former Apple designer.
A couple other highlights worth noting. When you publish, you immediately receive an email to the account you set up your profile with. In it is a web-responsive link to your story ready to be shared to all.
The world of Storehouse isn’t just comprised of parenthood, travels and selfies (but you can find that too). It has a little bit of everything and for those who question whether journalism can move with the times, check out this offering from the landmark gay marriage ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Others have taken to Storehouse to share their most intimate moments but in a way that can’t be captured on Facebook or Instagram or even Tumblr. One could argue that albums allow similar aggregation but they don’t allow the user to tell a story. This is where Storehouse breaks from the pack. Take a look at One Last Year with My Father. It’s visual communication at a profound level.
While Storehouse is web-responsive, I strongly encourage you to visit it on your phone or iPad. It was created for those devices and doesn’t disappoint. In fact, given the mass exodus to all-things mobile, it’s quite brilliant Kawano and Donnelly were so mobile focused. It makes sense given the world we live in. Have phone, have camera, will travel, will tell stories.
Author Note (August 2021):Storehouse shuttered in 2016. All employees migrated to Square. I removed all links. It’s a shame. It was beauty while it lasted.
Assignment Snapshot: Explain why people in the following roles should use social media – i.e. how would they benefit: Foreign news correspondent. Local beat editor. Photojournalist at TV News.
The All-Access Pass.
It’s kind of a right of passage when you become a journalist. Your photo is snapped. A number is assigned. A logo is embossed. You get your first badge. I remember my first badge with that beautiful, colorful NBC peacock. I felt like a bad-ass! (And don’t think I didn’t try to casually flash that sucker every time I could).
Then you grow up. You see a lot of things. You cover a lot of stories. The badge becomes a necessity, a lifeline, a key in and sometimes a one-way ticket to a swift exit. There are several reasons a foreign correspondent, a beat editor and a photojournalist should use social media but the greatest of all is access. It’s not just access TO the user/reader/viewer but it’s also access FOR the user/reader/viewer.
FOREIGN NEWS CORRESPONDENT
NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent is Richard Engel. I don’t know him personally but have interacted with him over the years in coverage and find him to be very sharp. His political views are worn on his sleeve at times and he is deemed controversial by many for his public comments on ISIS, Syria and the Middle East in general. He is very active on Twitter and truly worth a follow.
Foreign correspondents broaden perspective for their users by giving them access to places they can’t go. They both expose and enlighten. In the slide show below, you will see a small collection of Richard taking you to places (Everest) you may never see. Additionally, it’s an opportunity for the correspondent to get intimate and if necessary, defend their reporting. You may recall that Richard Engel was kidnapped in 2012 in Syria. In one of his tweets, he talks about that and adds the additional context of linking to his story:
While I can argue a case for social media and the foreign correspondent, I would much rather let the foreign correspondent do it himself! Below is a lengthy but fascinating segment on MSNBC with Richard Engel. In it he discusses what I believe is perhaps the greatest reason that foreign correspondents should use social media: they can affect change. He talks about the power of social media in the face of violent regimes among other things. It only strengthens the point that the foreign correspondent is able to give us access we’ve never had before.
We don’t really use beats in my current newsroom In fact, the beat is a bit of an outdated concept in most TV newsrooms I have been in. I was curious to see if the word “beat” would even come up in a basic google search with a semantic tie to a journalist. This is the result:
As you can see, it pulls from the concept of the police officer’s area of surveillance. There are reporters who naturally gravitate to certain areas they live in but the days of the crime beat, city hall beat and county beat seem to be behind us. The one beat that lives? The Political Beat.
The benefits for a local beat editor include all those mentioned above for the foreign correspondent but I would also add that for this person specifically, it’s a great resource. A local beat editor can narrow their focus, create lists of key influencers in their beat, follow and engage with local organizations and develop relationships. Social media give a local beat editor a multi-directional channel to talk with their users as well. This really applies to all but for local–it can become intimate because most of the time you are working where you live.
PHOTOJOURNALIST AT TV NEWS
When I first got into TV (and I do mean TV) I was working for my father on a magazine style show. It wasn’t journalism. It was infotainment. I learned by spending hours upon hours hanging out with the photographers/shooters. They were incredible. They could see things I never saw. They could look at a vast landscape or a person’s face in an ugly room and find the most beautiful shot possible. I became a sponge. I learned how to shoot, frame, iris up, iris down, rack focus and so on. I learned that a story isn’t much of a story without pictures. (is it any surprise the social media that performs the best is visual?) So I took this knowledge with me when I entered a newsroom, ever-vigilant that a good picture or a good piece of video will always add impact.
For everything I said above, photojournalists should be on social media. They typically are motivated by the visuals not just the facts. They see things others don’t see. They capture the moments that sometimes don’t require any words. They are promoters and advocates of journalism and take GREAT pride in what they do. I’m lucky in that I work with a lot of people who just *get* social media. Fortunately, some of them are photojournalists. I’ve captured two tweets below from Jim Zorn on Twitter and Erin Coker. Erin is just starting to develop her tweet chops but Jim speaks the language well and 99.9% of the time includes a photo.
One thing that hasn’t entered our newsroom yet but I believe should and will: Periscope. There is no one more primed to use that then the photojournalist. When they are on the scene they can live stream using their expert eye bringing people access to what matters. The other aspect of Periscope I like specifically for the photojournalist (and the foreign correspondent) is the ability to interact live in real-time with the viewer as things are happening. Viewers/users can ask questions and perhaps even steer coverage. It’s a whole different level of engagement.
EVERYONE
If you work in a newsroom, you are in the business of information dissemination. In this new media world we occupy, we all have the opportunity to tell stories any way we want. I’m a believer that everyone who works in this environment should be on social media: Producers, managers, photographers, digital staff, on-air talent and so on. Each person plays a role in the craft of storytelling and we all have something to offer the social discussion. We are the all-access pass only this one doesn’t require a velvet rope and a clipboard.
Assignment Snapshot: This post is an assignment for Social Media & News course for my Masters Degree program at the University of Florida. Below you will see the most shared media websites on Facebook and Twitter in January 2015 according to Newswhip. I am tasked with looking at relevant social media accounts and answering the following questions: What accounts for the successes in shares? Are there similarities in the ways posts are created? What are the key differences? What can you learn from the market leaders which you will put into practice?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. We like to watch. As a human race, we are curious, visual-oriented creatures stimulated by images, video or anything that taps into our inner voyeur.
Another thing we like? *Me* We like anything that tells me something about me. Engages me. Showcases me. If you think that is just a millennial thing…think again. We’re all narcissists which is why social media works!
Despite our narcissism, Forbes tells us there is still a whole generation of us that wants to do good. Let me act. Let me engage. Let me fight. Let me be a change agent. Analyzing the social posts for the top two two sites in this data only reinforces all the above.
FACEBOOK
PlayBuzz has mastered the art of appealing to YOU! Just take a look at a handful of posts from this week:
As you can see the common thread is YOU. Not only do these posts tap your inner ego, they call you to action. The language is conversational, social, informal…and there’s eye candy to boot. PlayBuzz is pure fluff and I say that with no judgment. We all need a little mindless distraction and their numbers show, we aren’t alone. When it comes to what they do, they seem to only strike one note. Clearly that one note is a tune many want to hear though!
Huffington Post strikes a deeper chord but still manages to embody the three key things I mention above. Here’s a snap shot of some recent posts:
Police misconduct continues to rattle the United States from coast to coast. It resonates with many and Huff Po taps into that “Let me do something, let me be a change agent” aspect of social media that is so pervasive. Their language is a strong call to action and flat out states an opinion, “This is unacceptable.”
The “Lose Yourself” post is just a great example of viral video. In 3 hours, nearly 3500 shared this ASL interpreter bringing Eminem to a whole new level. (Who knew that was possible?)
Finally, you can’t go wrong with baby animals can you? All three of these posts are different topics, different visuals and possess different tones. They all appeal to emotion though. They all seek to engage and connect with YOU.
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TWITTER
BBC’s Twitter page is what I would call a parent tweet account. They essentially use it to Retweet the best of all BBC properties. Even in that, they manage to speak the right language and strike the right note. Take a look:
In this slide show, I captured the account’s first two tweets. Right off the bat, BBC didn’t miss a beat by capitalizing on conversational, every day tone: “Hello. Is this on? Brilliant. 1.4K shares worth of brilliant. Then they explain their accounts mission with Tweet #2. It would have been so easy to do that with Tweet #1. They didn’t. Stroke of genius.
The retweet of the BBC Radio scrabble piece continues to capture the vernacular and tone of the modern day tweeter. It presents a softer, funnier side of BBC letting its hair down. I mean come on! – When do you expect to hear the BBC saying ‘Fo shizzle!” Stroke of genius part two.
Finally, the appeal to YOU and the use of video in the third tweet is yet another simple way to engage.
The New York Times proves you can be a top-notch news organization and still get your social on:
The “here’s what you need to know” concept to start your day is not a new one. You see it online, on TV and hear it on the radio. So what makes this tweet effective? I think it’s the photo. The Freedom Tower’s One World Observatory opened to the public today. The picture is slightly point of view and it’s a place that everyone has some connection to, even if you haven’t set foot in New York.
I grabbed the multi-tasking tweet because in and of itself, it’s nothing special. There is no visual. It doesn’t speak to YOU perse. I can’t help but read it though and in 40 minutes it received 44 retweets. Without directly using “you” in the language, the question appeals to the text and driver in all of us. It appeals to the professional in us that executes conference calls we do during the morning commute. I also think that it drives to a little core fear. I’m a mom. The last thing I want is some company saying it’s safe to multitask behind the wheel. Yep, New York Times– you got me. I’m clicking.
Finally, you had me at “a whole lot of crazy.” Then you kept me for good with that UNREAL notebook picture. You spoke to me in a language I can hear and gave me something different to look at.
So what can be learned?
It’s really simple. Talk with your audience, not at them. Ask them to do something either for themselves or for another. If you can find that sweet spot that is all about me with a cause then you have struck gold. Make your people feel something. Give them something to dance to (Eminem), smile at (baby puppies) or get angry at (police misconduct). In other words: Move Me.
Oh…and include something for the eyes: an infographic, pretty art, a video or when all else fails… a selfie.
Assignment Snapshot: Use social media to source a news article or piece of social media news content that engages you. Why does it engage you? How has the story been told? Consider the written journalism and any multi-media content. Do you recognize story telling techniques as discussed in our lecture?
When in doubt…just turn to sex.
Much of my research and reading for my job is serious. It’s not the “if it bleeds it leads” mentality but sometimes it can be. It’s also politics and corruption and national disaster and train wrecks and police-shootings -and that was just this week. I follow many news organizations on my social platforms from the pinnacle New York Times to what some consider low-brow Buzzfeed, Upworthy and Vice. I do it to be on top of vast amounts of information for work but I also do it for fun. So that brings us to this week’s assignment:
In my down time, I tend to gravitate to the lighter side of the info-spectrum. I like edge. I like different. I like things that teach me something I didn’t know-and let’s be real, I like sex! Who doesn’t? So when I was trolling Twitter I came across this little Huff Po nugget and stopped and stayed awhile.
Why Did It Engage Me
This is pretty simple. It’s a straightforward title on a (sadly) taboo topic with a black and white photo that could have come right out of my mother’s 1963 yearbook (minus the book titled: “Masturbate”). Clearly I was not alone based on the 139 favorites and the 109 retweets after only being on Twitter for an hour.
I also read… a lot.
It’s part of my job so when I am not on the clock, I like spoon-fed nuggets. In other words, don’t make me work for it. When I see this social post, I know at first glance, I am going to have a nice, tightly packaged list of 13 reasons I need a little more “me time.”
How It’s Told
Lists are easy. Lists are familiar. We make them to organize and order chaos. They find their way into everything from classrooms to newscasts. (Have you ever seen a morning show that gives you “the five things you need to know before you go out the door?”). In my Social Media & News class we read Jeff Hodson’s 12 Tips For Producing Strong News Stories. The story here captures several of the tips Jeff recommends: It’s interesting and has some color and good quotes (“…a little menage a moi”…C’mon!). It’s clearly structured and organized and in the end it ACTUALLY has expert information. You probably know masturbation feels good but did you know it’s because of dopamine and oxytocin? Did you know masturbation is an actual sleep aid? What about the fact that it’s good for your health?
Is this really news…journalism?
There is no real inverted pyramid here. Huffington Post isn’t fighting for justice (although an argument could be made for feminism!). This isn’t going to clinch a peabody, lead a newscast or change laws. In today’s world though, much of what I call “social news” is about an experience. It makes us feel. It makes us laugh. It makes us smarter. It makes us want to share. A constant conversation in my newsroom is the ever-changing face and the ever-moving lines that define news, journalism and what we do every day. That’s a conversation to keep on having. The one for this week though, is about how to engage. Huffington Post did the ol’ “when in doubt, sex sells.” It did. I clicked…and I now have 13 reasons to engage more often.
Week 9 Assignment Snapshot: Plan the hypothetical posts for Disney’s Magic Kingdom social media pages (Facebook & Twitter). –the theme park, not the overall Disney brand – for the month of August 2014.
“There’s so much that we share, that it’s time we’re aware, it’s a small world after all…” That song is one from my childhood. I grew up in Anaheim Hills, California. That made me a very lucky girl because I was in the shadow of Disneyland. “It’s a Small World” was a childhood lullaby.
Perhaps because I grew up near Disneyland or because my travels never took me there, I have never been to Disney World, Magic Kingdom or any of the parks that encompass this childhood (or the child in all of us) wonder. That makes this blog particularly interesting because it is one of discovery.
So if you are like me, you may need your bearings first. How about a little tour of Magic Kingdom 2014?
We have a couple of goals this month for our Magic Kingdom Social Channels. First, we are making August the month of the Hashtag. With Google now allowing hashtag search we want to capitalize and use #MagicKingdom every day in August. Keeping our calendar of events in mind, we are organizing a hashtag theme each day of the week:
#MondayMeet&Greet~ To capitalize on our many meet and greets with the faces of Disney, we want to pump up participation this month.
#TuesdayTours ~ Every Tuesday in August we will showcase a tour available at the Magic Kingdom.
#WildWednesday~ We’ll use Wednesdays to showcase our fantastic rides.
#TBT~ It is already a popular hashtag, why shouldn’t the Magic Kingdom get in on the action? We’ll share a classic image and ask people to share their Magic Kingdom Memories.
#FantasylandFriday~ Since we just made some big changes to Fantasyland, we will showcase something from Fantasyland each Friday.
#SavingsSaturday~ We will offer special discounts each Saturday for a certain window of time. It will only be posted on Twitter and Facebook so park patrons will need to log in to see what the offer is.
#SundayFunDay~ Show us your Sunday Funday. We will walk around with Mickey Mouse taking pictures and posting them on Facebook and Twitter each Sunday in August with #SundayFunDay. We encourage park patrons to do the same using #SundayFunDay. Below you will see mock examples of what #SundayFunDay could be.
Friday, August 1
Summer’s winding down but it’s still hot! Parents need a break while your kids play? Let them blow off some refreshing steam atCasey Jr. Splash’N’Soak #FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom
Need to blow off steam? At least make it refreshing! Come beat the heat and CHILL: Casey Jr. Splash’N’Soak#FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom
Saturday, August 2
Welcome to August! Each Saturday we will be offering a discount on Facebook and Twitter. Log in and save! Today you receive 10% off the price of admission when you buy your theme park ticket between 2pm and 4pm. Mention#SavingsSaturday #MagicKingdom
Receive 10% off price of admission when you buy your park ticket between 2p and 4pm. Mention #SavingsSaturday #MagicKingdom
Sunday, August 3
Mickey Mouse found the Millers from Saginaw going Mad Tea Party in the all new Fantasyland #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom —INSERT PHOTO TAKEN OF THE MILLER FAMILY RIDING THE MAD HATTER— Show us your #SundayFunDay!
The Green Family of Atlanta getting their Captain Jack on! #PiratesLeague #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom— Show us your #SundayFunDay! —INSERT PHOTO OF GREEN FAMILY AT THE PIRATES LEAGUE ATTRACTION—
Monday, August 4
Ever wonder what the main Mouse is doing backstage? Now’s your chance to find out. Come meet Mickey at Town Square Theater while he works on his tricks. The best magic happens when you give him a hug! #MondayMeet&Greet #MagicKingdom:
Watch him pull a rabbit right out of his hat! Come meet Mickey Mouse backstage at Town Square Theater#MondayMeet&Greet #MagicKingdom
Tuesday, August 5
Are you a super sleuth at heart? Then the Family Magic Tour is for you! This ain’t your momma’s tour! Gather clue after clue in this awesome, interactive adventure through the Magic Kingdom. Sign up today! #TuesdayTours#MagicKingdom
50% Guided Tour 50% Scavenger Hunt 100% Awesome See Magic Kingdom like never before-Disney’s Family Magic Tour#TuesdayTours #MagicKingdom
Wednesday, August 6
Magic Kingdom is many things but some…it is about the rides! All month long, we’re taking you on a ride through your favorites. We kick off our first #WildWednesday with Space Mountain! (You want a fast pass? Skip to 3:14!)
It’s#WildWednesday Each Weds in August we take you for a ride on one of your favorites! Hello Space Mountain! #MagicKingdom
***Video will be posted on our Facebook page. We will push Twitter followers through a link to Facebook. The bold text (non-hashtag) is where the link will be.
Thursday, August 7
It’s a Small World – October 1971
Getting in on the Throwback action! Share your Magic Kingdom Memories. Check out 1971.
#TBT #MagicKingdom
We all have our Magic Kingdom Memories. Share Yours! #TBT #MagicKingdom
Toll Plaza at the Magic Kingdom, January 1972
Friday, August 8
If you want to dine with Cinderella and her princess friends, act now. The Royal Table will be closing soon for a little renovation! You can still dine like royalty between now and January 2015 ~ Details here: Cinderella’s Royal Table #FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom
Act now before it’s too late! Cinderella’s kitchen closes soon!Cinderella’s Royal Table#FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom
Saturday, August 9
20% off any item $50 or more at Big Top Souvenirs in Fantasyland between 4p and 6pm Mention #SavingsSaturday #MagicKingdom
20% off any item $50 or more at Big Top Souvenirs in Fantasyland between 4p and 6pm Mention#SavingsSaturday #MagicKingdom
Sunday, August 10
Joe Frank from Columbus, Ohio getting his haircut and working on the High Notes at the Harmony Barber Shop! Hey! He’s not a professional?! #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom —Show us your #SundayFunDay! —INSERT PHOTO OF JOE WITH MICKEY GIVING HIM A TRIM–
Who needs Tom Cruise? Craig McMillan of California satisfied his need for speed! #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom Show us your #SundayFunDay –INSERT PHOTO OF CRAIG PUTTING TAKING HIS HELMET OFF POST DRIVE
Did you know there is an entire underground beneath the Magic Kingdom? Tunnels and hidden places used for all kinds of interesting things while you walk above on your Disney adventure. Now you can explore these hidden gems:Keys to the Kingdom Tour #TuesdayTours #MagicKingdom
Know what a Utilidor is? It’s a big Disney secret and one you can see for yourself:Keys to the Kingdom Tour #TuesdayTours #MagicKingdom
Wednesday, August 13
It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears, it’s a world of hopes and a world of fears. It’s also a world with cool HD cams which is why we can bring you this week’s #WildWednesday ride: It’s a Small World! #MagicKingdom
No trip to Magic Kingdom is complete without THIS. It IS a small world after all.#WildWednesday #MagicKingdom
***Video will be posted on our Facebook page. We will push Twitter followers through a link to Facebook. The bold text (non-hashtag) is where the link will be.
Thursday, August 14
Tomorrowland 1971
Taking you back to 1971 – Share your Tomorrowland memories! #TBT #MagicKingdom
Actress Amber Riley – 2010
It’s Thursday, time to tap your photo archives! Share your #TBT memories! #MagicKingdom
Friday, August 15
Ready for a concert for the ears AND eyes? Donald Duck is ready to be your guide…just grab your Opera Glasses and join us for a concert experience like no other: Mickey’s PhilharMagic #FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom
What has a 150ft wraparound screen & 3D magic? Mickey’s PhilharMagicSee & sing classics like never before#FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom
Saturday, August 16
Free drink with purchase of $10 or more at Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square between 11a – 12p Mention#SavingsSaturday #MagicKingdom
Free drink with purchase of $10 or more at Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square 11a -12p Mention#SavingsSaturday #MagicKingdom
Sunday, August 17
Sisters Avery & Grace from Florida didn’t make it through the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular but Mickey snapped this photo with them…bet they are having sweet dreams! #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom —Show us your #SundayFunDay —INSERT PHOTO OF MICKEY SITTING BEHIND THE TWO SLEEPING GIRLS
Progress report looks good for the O’Harra family of Indiana#SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom – Show us your #SundayFunDay —INSERT PHOTO OF THE FOURSOME ON THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS–
Monday, August 18
We all have gadgets and gizmos aplenty, but not like Ariel’s! Come meet the Little Mermaid at her Grotto and be a part of her world! #MondayMeet&Greet #MagicKingdom:
They once hauled sugar cane in Mexico…that is until Disney Scouts spotted them in 1969. Want exclusive access to the 4 antique steam trains before the Magic Kingdom opens?The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour #TuesdayTours #MagicKingdom
Loco 4 locomotives? Exclusive access to Disney’s Water-Powered Work Horses! Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour#TuesdayTours #MagicKingdom
Wednesday, August 20
“Send us a message from somewhere BEYOND!”#Wild Wednesday brings you The Haunted Mansion
#MagicKingdom
Before there was Blair Witch Project, there was THIS #WildWednesday #MagicKingdom
***Video will be posted on our Facebook page. We will push Twitter followers through a link to Facebook. The bold text (non-hashtag) is where the link will be.
Thursday, August 21
Christmas at the Magic Kingdom
It’s hot out there people! Let’s beat the summer heat with a little Christmas in August. Share your holiday memories from the Magic Kingdom! #TBT #MagicKingdom
Cinderella gets ready at the Magic Kingdom – 1971
Did you ever come in your princess best to the Magic Kingdom? What about your kids? Share your #TBT best dressed! #MagicKingdom
Friday, August 22
Heigh Ho! Heigh Ho! RESERVE before you go! Are you ready to rock around like never before? All aboard the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s open for business in the New Fantasyland!#FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom:
15% off 2 tickets to the Family Magic Tour when you buy 4 for a tour TODAY Mention #SavingsSaturday #MagicKingdom
15% off 2 tickets to the Family Magic Tour when you buy 4 for a tour TODAY Mention #SavingsSaturday #MagicKingdom
Sunday, August 24
It’s the place to be this summer if you can catch the train. Looks like the Bognar’s from Boston made it to the station on time. The threesome talked Mickey into going for a ride on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! (It wasn’t too hard to convince him!) #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom –Show us your #SundayFunDay — INSERT PHOTO OF THE BOGNAR FAMILY WAVING FROM THE TRAIN WITH MICKEY
It’s 3pm, do you know where your kids are? They’re HERE! #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom —INSERT PHOTO TAKEN AT PARADE
Monday, August 25
Let your hair down with Rapunzel! Make your dreams come true with Cinderella! No ball gown needed at Princess Fairytale Hall but Glass Slippers Optional! #MondayMeet&Greet #MagicKingdom:
Are you a history buff that loves all things Disney? Would you like the chance to enter Magic Kingdom before anyone else does? Go on a 3 hour journey through time and meet the man behind the mouse:Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour #TuesdayTours #MagicKingdom
Summer may be winding down but the heat is still ridiculous! Forget the sprinklers, the pool’s been done. You want to beat the heat? Take our raft for a spin.
#WildWednesday brings you Splash Mountain! #MagicKingdom
Forget the pool. The Beach is dull. THIS is the only way to beat the heat. #WildWednesday #MagicKingdom
***Video will be posted on our Facebook page. We will push Twitter followers through a link to Facebook. The bold text (non-hashtag) is where the link will be.
Thursday, August 28
Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco – 2013
Have you celebrated a big occasion at the Magic Kingdom? Share them with us #TBT celebration-style! #MagicKingdom
Magic Kingdom is the place to celebrate. Share with us your #TBT occasion! #MagicKingdom
The Magic Kingdom Under Construction! Our #TBT from 1971 is a reason to celebrate ~ 43 years of memories!
Friday, August 29
You can become part of the story. “Deep in the depths of Magic Kingdom park lies a legendary world—New Fantasyland—that’s been long hidden from our view by a curse. It’s a place where mermaids sing, beauties tell tales, beasts roar and elephants fly. To discover—and break—the curse on New Fantasyland, visit Finding Fantasyland#FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom
You think you know Fantasyland? You don’t know the NEW Fantasyland. Now you can experience it from home!#FantasylandFriday #MagicKingdom
Saturday, August 30
Be Our Guest for dinner mention#SavingsSaturday between 8p & 9p for 10% off your meal #MagicKingdom
Be Our Guest for dinner mention#SavingsSaturday between 8p & 9p for 10% off your meal #MagicKingdom
Sunday, August 31
Mickey was a little starstruck in Frontierland today and the Country Bear Jamboree were a little nervous! Country stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw brought their family by for a little jam session! #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom —Show us your #SundayFunDay–INSERT PHOTO OF TIM MCGRAW, FAITH HILL AND KIDS WITH MICKEY-
A tutorial in progress??Look who Mickey found at the Country Bear Jamboree – Faith, Tim & Family! #SundayFunDay #MagicKingdom –INSERT PHOTO OF TIM MCGRAW, FAITH HILL AND KIDS WITH MICKEY-
Week 9 Assignment Snapshot: Plan the hypothetical posts for Disney’s Magic Kingdom social media pages (Facebook & Twitter) –the theme park, not the overall Disney brand – for the month of August 2014. This is just a reminder that everything above this is hypothetical. I did reference the Magic Kingdom calendar so some of these events are accurate or may align with the Disney information. This post is in no way affiliated with Magic Kingdom or any of the Walt Disney World properties. It is an assignment for the University of Florida Masters Program in Social Media. If you would like to know what is going on at Walt Disney World just click here!
Just For Fun: In this week’s Just For Fun, I take you back to my childhood. I mentioned at the top of this blog that I grew up in the shadow of Disneyland. My favorite ride was Big Thunder Mountain. Here is a little journey through Big Thunder Mountain! (fast forward to :44 if you just want to get to the ride):
he world of Storehouse isn’t just comprised of parenthood, travels and selfies (but you can find that too). It has a little bit of everything and for those who question whether journalism can move with the times, check out this offering from the landmark gay marriage ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Social Chatter & Other Observations 