Radisson treat for reader helping to celebrate Herald’s online success

MORE than 200 000 news hounds have liked The Herald’s Facebook page, HeraldLIVE, and now stand a chance to win a night away for two people, along with dinner, breakfast and a spa treatment, at a top Nelson Mandela Bay hotel.

The Herald has teamed up with Radisson Blu to thank loyal followers for their support, which saw the page being liked by more than 200 000 people this week, from just 6 000 in 2012.

The Herald editor Brett Horner said it was a “milestone for our entire news operation and, in particular, the small but dynamic digital unit”.

He said: “A standout feature of The Herald’s Facebook page has been the engagement level of followers.

“Much has been made of print circulation and the pressures on that front. But not enough credit is given to the dual work that is done by staff to create a multi-platform environment for our readers and advertisers to get their daily fix of news and entertainment, often on the go and in real time.

“I want to pay tribute to the team, and to our community for the support that has allowed us to expand beyond our traditional borders.”

HeraldLIVE digital editor Dorette de Swardt said it had been an exciting few years for the digital team and “we wanted to make our followers a part of the celebration”.

“It is not only our Facebook page that has grown in leaps and bounds, but our website unique browsers are now averaging more than 700 000 a month.”

While the HeraldLIVE Facebook page focuses more on breaking stories, hard news and human interest stories, the other social media streams – including Instagram and the My HeraldLIVE Facebook page – offer beautiful images of the Bay and province, some taken by readers, and lifestyle news.

“Our focus is, and always will be, content,” De Swardt said.

“On our digital platforms, we bring news to you as it happens – in the form of a tweet, Facebook post, article, video, audio or pictures.

“We have a very active and vibrant digital community and each time someone joins our digital following, they’re joining the biggest digital news site in the city and province.”

The prize is a one-night stay in a business-class room for two people, inclu- ding dinner to the value of R500 in Tabu Restaurant, a buffet breakfast and a R700 Camelot SPA treatment voucher. To stand a chance of winning:

Go to the HeraldLIVE Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HeraldLIVE/

Find the post promoting this competition and comment as indicated on the post.

The winner will be announced in print and on Facebook on Tuesday.