New web site, social media; Where’s my newspaper?

After many months of planning and design, at the end of April, AgAir Update launched its all new web site, agairupdate.com. We had been leading up to the launch by strategically positioning ourselves with the introduction of AAU’s FaceBook and Twitter pages, as well as my blog site. A visit to agairupdate.com will intrigue you with its new modern look and superior functionality. The classified section is searchable, completely redesigned to be easier to read and you can upload your classified listings. You can search for previously published articles by key word, author, title, etc. Of course, you can renew or subscribe online. You can even download ag-aviation “wallpaper” for your computer screen. Probably the most exciting new feature is the forum with its five subcategories. There’s even an interactive calendar where you can view dates and information about upcoming events, including where AAU will be in the future. When Graham, my son, came back to work with us, one of the first things he told me was our web sites, eEditions and databases were sick. He insisted they be revamped in the broadest sense of the word. At first glance, one may not think that to be too big of a deal, but I can’t count the months of effort (and money) it took to get where we are today with those projects. I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t see the business value in social mediums like FaceBook and Twitter. I’ve been proven wrong, again! Graham proved to me last fall the benefits of changing printers for AAU’s new look. I now realize how effective a FaceBook and Twitter page can be in that these pages permit real time notifications. The printed edition of AgAir Update is mailed once a month, while our eEdition email is sent twice a month. Obviously, things occur that the industry needs to know about between those times, not to mention being reminded of events that have been already published in our print and eEditions, but may have been forgotten. With a FaceBook or Twitter page, you can set it to notify you whenever AAU makes a post, or you can just check it at some predetermined interval. FaceBook/Twitter users already know this. I’m writing to those of us, including me, who refuses to participate in social media. Look at it from another viewpoint; it’s not about having friends on FaceBook or following someone on Twitter. It’s about getting a prompt that says the spray clinic is this week, or some icon in the industry has done something of immediate interest. Of course, bad news travels the faster than it ever has through electronic media. Let me assure you, AAU’s printed edition will be the complete standalone publication as it has always been. AAU has intentionally designed its FaceBook/Twitter pages to drive the reader to our web site and in turn from there to anticipate the upcoming printed edition of AAU. I invite you to visit our FaceBook and Twitter pages. You can do this easily by first visiting our new web site at agairupdate.com, then follow links to wherever you desire to go. As the summer passes, AAU will be continually introducing new features to the web site. Some of the features will be account management for your subscription and classified listing, an enhanced photo gallery, an eStore (AAU items) and other features that will keep AgAir Update your industry resource. Bookmark it today, please. In closing, I simply can’t help myself and must say, “Fly safe.” The 2010 spraying season for the northern hemisphere is upon us. Those of you in the southern hemisphere, I know you are looking forward to a well deserved break from flying ag. Whether you are flying or resting in the upcoming months, think long and hard about this month’s cover feature on the Air Tractor AT-504. Ag-aviation is in a situation where it is needing new pilots with experience, an almost impossible requirement and dilemma. The AT-504 resolves the issue in its entirety. This multipurpose ag-plane will allow an operator to safely mentor a new pilot, while being able to pay for itself by working, whether it be dry or liquid applications or border patrol. An AT-504 could be the best way for an operator who is looking to retire to do it in a way that is profitable and practical. Read the article to find out more. Until next month, Blue Sky and Tailwinds...