Connecting threads
February 18, 2010By Barry Barresi, O.D., Ph.D., AOA executive director
A new theme at the AOA is expanded connection and engagement to serve members with information that supports their success as doctors and their success in the management of their practices. As many online visitors to the AOA will be noticing in the coming months, the AOA Web site is undergoing a process of evolution integrally related to these connections.
As part of our efforts to create a greater sense of community, the AOA is expanding its repertoire of online tools and resources. Our strategy is to create an online space to allow collaboration on the AOA Web site and serve as the premier online resource for optometry. We will employ different technologies and provide new tools, features and services for our members, including tools to support community building and the use of social media. Our goal is to develop an interactive, robust Web experience. To that end, the AOA is focusing on engaging in social media and future Web development. Our efforts thus far show members are responding.
Electronic publications/social media
- AOA First Look is opened by at least 35 percent of recipients every day. To sign up, send an e-mail to Addresschange@aoa.org.
- The NewsfromAOA.org blog generated over 8,000 views in its first year of operation with posts and comments on a variety of topics
- Twitter.com/AOANews now has 220 followers to date
- Youtube.com/aoaweb channel has 35 videos uploaded and reports 8,700 views to date
- Facebook fans of our AOA page grew from 1,100 fans to 2,500 fans in eight months
- Other AOA entities on Facebook include:
- America’s Vision, Optometry’s Future: 1,600 fans
- InfantSEE®: 287 fans
- Paraoptometric Section: 201 members
- Healthy Eyes Healthy People®: 187 fans
- AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section: 171 fans
- AOA Sports Vision Section: 85 fans
- AOA Vision Rehabilitation Section: 62 fans
It’s interesting to note that 62 percent of the fans of the AOA’s main Facebook site are female. More than half of the fans are between the ages of 25 and 34, and in that demographic there are more than twice as many women as men.
New projects for 2010
In the past year, we launched the association’s first initiatives based on member-generated content. We created the first AOA photo contest, generating 135 entries. We also engaged the first place winner, optometry student Tonia Batts, to serve as a volunteer photographer at Optometry’s Meeting®. And, new this year, we introduced an interactive PDF version of the AOA News. Be sure to look for it in your e-mail inbox.
Through our connections with our members, the AOA can truly serve as a resource and collaboration space for optometry. After all, an association is, by definition, a connection and joining together of individuals. Start making that connection at www.aoa.org. Please make sure we have your e-mail address to take full advantage of our social media services by e-mailing Addresschange@aoa.org.
