Flossmoor’s first-ever official Facebook page is making its debut Wednesday as the village plans to expand marketing and communication efforts.
The Facebook page will go live Wednesday morning with a short video from Mayor Paul Braun, said Christopher Paicely, the village’s marketing and communications coordinator.
“The goal of the page is to become sort of a central hub for all things Flossmoor,” Paicely told the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle on Tuesday. “We’ll be sharing relevant posts from all the local organizations and businesses as well as creating an informal constant dialogue between the village and the community.”
At their Nov. 21 meeting, village board members adopted a policy for social media use on Flossmoor’s Facebook page, as well as future communications on Twitter, Instagram, Next Door, Snapchat and other platforms. The approval followed a discussion of current marketing and communication efforts by the village.
Assistant Village Manager Allison Deitch told board members that the debut of the Facebook page marks the first step in renewed efforts to market Flossmoor, both internally and externally. She said the village marketing and communication strategy efforts have two main purposes – to retain current residents and businesses while communicating information on a need-to-know basis, and to attract new residents and businesses from outside the community.
Flossmoor will undertake a formal branding effort for the village in 2017, Deitch said.
Several board members commented on what they think Flossmoor needs to do to best market the village.
Braun said “not a lot is known about Flossmoor” throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. He pointed to the village’s exceptional housing stock and abundance of classic, beautiful homes as a potential highlight for a marketing campaign.
“We have a wonderful group of people living here,” said Trustee Diane Williams. “Some of us were born here and some of us moved here from somewhere else. But we are all living together and getting along together.”
Trustee James Mitros said marketing the village has been an “ongoing problem.”
“Many people don’t know about us,” he said. “This is a great place to raise a family. Our transportation to the city is fantastic.”
Three residents – Phyllis Brust, Tim Hill and Myron Graham – appeared at the meeting and said they want to work with the village on its marketing efforts. Graham said Flossmoor needs to make the most of its diversity in marketing the community.
Deitch told the Chronicle she was “thrilled” by the ideas from the residents and how excited they are in offering their talents to help market Flossmoor. She said the village is looking for input from residents and businesses in developing its marketing plan.
Paicely told the board on Nov. 21 that he’d like to post video tours of the village on the Facebook page. Interviews with residents and business people on “why they love Flossmoor” are also a possibility.
The social media policy approved by the board states that all posts from village officials or volunteers must follow guidelines. They must know at all times that they are representing Flossmoor. They must be respectful, honest and accurate.
Comments from community members must also follow village guidelines. Personal attacks are not allowed. Comments will not be allowed that promote, foster or perpetuate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, genetics, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or intellectual disability or sexual orientation.
Anything that promotes an illegal activity will not be allowed. Information that compromises safety or security or criminal investigations is not permitted. The Facebook page cannot be used to promote services, products, political organizations or causes.
