MotorCities.org has been recognized by Juggle as one of the top national heritage sites on the web. Below you'll find an interview with Nancy Darga, Managing Director of MotorCities National Heritage Area.
- What elements were considered when developing the website? What were the overarching objectives of the MotorCities team?
There were several elements that the team had to consider when developing the MotorCities website. Our main objective was to develop a user friendly interface in which the public’s attention would be caught. Next, it was crucial for us to display the heritage of the automobile and labor industry in an engaging manner. The site needed to inform the visitor and invite them to visit our historic sites and special events. They also needed an opportunity to join or donate to our projects. We also wanted our visitors to have fresh up-to-date content in which the Story of the Week and Event of the Week originated.
- How have you used social media as a tool to connect more directly with potential visitors to the MotorCities area? What kinds of information do you make available through these outlets?
MotorCities actively engages in several types of social media outlets such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Digg, Youtube, Blogger, and LinkedIn. Using such type of outlets has enabled us to engage with our visitors and members on a personal level. Several of the social networking sites have enabled us to network and collaborate and build partnerships. It has proven to be particularly effective in cross promotion of joint projects, events and attractions.
Throughout our social networking sites we display exciting tidbits such as the Story of the Week, Event of the Week, photos, videos, and factorial trivia relating to the automotive industry and labor. We feel that in order for social networking to be effect that it must be updated and maintained within a timely manner. It must feature engaging images and helpful detail to viewers who may be interested in our featured events. In order to develop the following, MotorCities has committed both time and talent in posting to these sites.
- How does the “Story of the Week” provide historical perspectives to your website? How have visitors responded to this feature?
MotorCities is actively engaged in telling the stories of Michigan's rich automotive and labor heritage. For the past several years, “The Story of the Week” has been published in Travel Host magazine, the Detroit AutoScene newspaper, and on detnews.com. The Story of the Week is a vehicle for us to tell our stories - filling in the blanks on what makes the industry the fascinating, iconic and incredibly important part of our culture and our society for over a century. The stories provide a rich resource for anybody interested in better understanding the origins and the behind-the-scenes intrigue and characters that created the companies that continue to dominate our local landscape.
Our Story of the Week has been stated as the treasure of our website. According to our Google Analytics, our website traffic doubles with each published story. To date, we have currently 1,700 subscribers who receive our weekly Story via email. To subscribe to our weekly Story of the Week newsletter email info@motorcities.org.
- What else would you like to share with us about MotorCities.org or the MotorCities Heritage Area?
MotorCities National Heritage Area was founded by volunteers concerned with the preservation and promoting of our auto and labor heritage. We wanted the public to learn how the automotive industry moved the nation forward, and put the world on wheels. Despite being associated with the big three car companies we in fact are very grass root orientated. As a coordinating entity for the National Park System we have brought very diverse groups together to develop tours, educational programs and recreational trails to connect the region to our story. Our initiatives have spurred economic redevelopment of our communities through the interpretation of our heritage, joint programming of events and conservation of our historic sites.