Social Media @ Crux of HomeAway Contest

Social Media may seem like a buzz word still to many pundits who look at the space as a fad, temporarily occupied with this new "shiny object" until our attention is drawn somewhere else. Well social media will remain a solid medium for people to conduct business. I just recently listened to Managing the Gray podcast by CC Chapman who stated that the honeymoon phase for social media is behind us. As we move into 2009, social media must grow up, and businesses will turn to it as a constant medium of connecting with customers.

Recently Tech in Twenty has the opportunity to conduct an interview with Connie Reece and Sheila Scarborough on their HomeAway Getaway contest that has been widely publicized for its efforts to integrate social media and prospective customers for HomeAway.

HomeAway is the premier vacation home business that looks to save customers money on expensive hotels with sterile environments, and instead help them invest their money on affordable vacation homes that offer all the amenities of home.

The "Why I Deserve A Getaway From HomeAway" contest is set up so that users can use three interactive methods to tell their story on why they are the most deserving of a get away. Users can tell their story using photos on Flickr, they can share their story on video via YouTube, or they can share their story via a blog post. No matter the method, there are rules on how the entry must be submitted, but all in all, this does two things.

1. It provides a fun an interesting way to introduce people to HomeAway and its offerings. Even those that do not win may surf the site and become interested in using the site for future vacation plans.
2. It offers HomeAway a direct way to collect information on contestants and perhaps assist them with their direct marketing plans by offering specials based on geographic locations or interests.

In the future I see businesses using the space in creative and innovative ways to get their message across. By tapping into the expertise of both Connie (@ConnieReece) and Sheila (@SheilaS) this contest is sure to be a success.

Make sure you visit the site and get your entry in, you only have until January 7th.