News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville recently had some internationally-vetted social media influencers tour the town and surrounding area.
Chamber of Commerce Vice president of Visitor Development Zach Ledbetter said it was a new way to strategize its target marketing plans.
“With the impact of social media, we know that we can reach the millenial traveler that are following these social media influencers,” Ledbetter said. “Everybody is one Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and it’s so instantaneous with the messaging.”
“That said, allowing our potential guests to see our attractions and amenities through the eyes of these social media influencers creates more engagement and increases the chances of planning and booking a trip to Cookeville-Putnam County,” added Ledbetter.
The so-called social media influencers visited a number of outdoor attractions and explored Cookeville’s local coffee and culinary scene while boutiquing and antiquing downtown.
Results such as engagement, impressions, and other social media insights will be provided to the visitors’ bureau to show return on investment as well as demographics of those engaged.
The social media influencers included Dallas-based photographer/Instagrammer Paul Tellefsen (@technopaul) and Portland-based photographer Jared Whitney (@jaredwhitney).
Tennessee-based influencers joined for a portion of the trip, creating opportunities for cross promotion, gaining reach, engagement and leverage among their social media audiences. Josh Ness, founder of the Nashville Explorers’ Club (@nashvilleexplorersclub and @theexplorerdad), joined along with Nashville-based fashion and lifestyle blogger Greta Hollar (@greta_hollar) and TDTD Public Relations Media Specialist Amanda Stravinsky (@tntravelnews and @tnvacation).
