Senator Needs a Lesson in Social Media

About two months ago, I sent a note to my Senator, Ted Kennedy, asking Congress to renew the lapsing tax credits that drive investment and innovation in alternative energy.  This was a very specific request, and in my opinion, warranted a very specific response.

Weeks later, I get this email back:

Dear Mr. Cercone:

 

Thank you for writing to me about the nation's energy policy.  The increasing cost of oil and the need for national energy independence is an extremely important issue that deserves immediate attention and action. 

 

Rising gasoline prices and our dependence on foreign oil severely undermines our national economy and security.  A growing number of families are struggling to pay for the gasoline they need for their daily activities, and many cannot afford this heavy financial burden.  Additionally, our reliance on oil from other countries jeopardizes our national security and weakens our own economy.  It is therefore essential that we develop alternatives to our current sources of fuel.

 

The United States must end its dependence on oil in order to protect the national economy and aid American families.  I strongly support the development of alternative sources of fuel such as wind, solar, and hydrogen power. Additionally, I am firmly opposed to drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other protected national lands. The oil obtained from these lands would be rapidly depleted and will make little, if any, difference in gasoline prices.  Instead of sacrificing our preserved wild lands for a temporary solution, we should focus on establishing clean, efficient, renewable sources of fuel.  By switching to these renewable energy sources, we can end our dependence on foreign oil, protect the environment, and bring down the cost of energy for the American people.

 

While I advocate the production of alternative fuels, the development of sources of renewable energy will take time.  I realize that our country needs an immediate solution to our energy crisis until we are fully able to transition to renewable energy and establish true energy independence.  Please be assured that I will do all I can to pass legislation that will provide immediate help for our nation's families as we work to develop a solution to this growing problem.

 

Again, thank you for contacting me.  I understand your concern regarding this issue and am working hard to find both immediate and long-term solutions.

 

Sincerely,
Edward M. Kennedy 

Teddy, I'm not picking on you, but clearly you need a lesson in social media.  First of all, that's WAY too long to wait for a response.  And then to get back to me with the blandest of form letters is a wasted opportunity.  Hey, I don't expect The Senator to personally return each and every email, but I'd be perfectly okay with some real information, even if it came from a staffer.  And this, my friends, is why social media works great, or can bite you in the butt.

Companies and politicians need to realize that they need to give their audience a place to get real answers, voice their opinion and, if handled correctly, be brought closer into the the fold of the brand. When it becomes impersonal, non-responsive or mass-produced, it's worse than nothing at all.

To keep this post from running on, I'll wait till tomorrow to post a list of advice.  But in the meantime, post your thoughts or email suggestions on effective social media interactions, and I'll work them into the post

Comments

[nancy]

That's annoying. Here I thought I was being lazy by not writing my reps, but it turns out if you do you just get a form letter 2 months later.

[Len]

I agree, but it's still worth sending those notes. I think it's more a matter of style from days bygone than anything else. Teddy isn't exactly a new dog out there.