Social Media Management
My team manages social media for Buncombe County Government, overseeing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor, and X. My goal for County social media is to move beyond traditional, boring government communications and instead create engaging content that stands out, has personality, and resonates with our community. To be successful, we MUST be memorable!
A standout moment in our social media journey came in September 2024, when Hurricane Helene struck Buncombe County, causing widespread devastation. In the aftermath, our social media channels saw an unprecedented surge in traffic. Our 2024 reach and followers grew over 10x from the previous year—Facebook/Instagram reach went from 261K/17.3K in 2023 to 2.2M/609K in 2024.
While growth after a natural catastrophe is to be expected, what’s more indicative of our success is that five months post-storm, our reach is still performing near that 10x increase. For example, our Facebook/Instagram reach in February 2025 is 472K/266K, compared to 35K/3.5K in July 2024.
I believe this sustained success is the result of our consistent output of unique content and our organic growth strategy. This approach reflects the value and trust that our community places in us, and it demonstrates the power of meaningful communication in building lasting connections.
Buncombe County Government’s social media provides a candid lens through which to view the dynamic life of County residents and is the primary platform we utilize to provide timely information to our audience and promote upcoming events and opportunities. Click the links below to view our socials.
The following posts are examples that highlight moments where I’ve been able to push against the boundary of stereotypical government communications:
Surprise!
You never know what secrets lie beneath the lid.
Talkin’ Trash
Wisdom from the mouth of a trash can(?!).
We’re all confused
Because recovery after the storm IS confusing.
Sandwich
Theft leads to thoughts of affordable housing.