[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”1423″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/ipaa-logo.png” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]For the #FF this week, we’re featuring @IPAAaccess, the account for the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). The association is national and is works closely with 44 independent national, state and regional associations which represent royalty owners and companies across the country, including America’s 7,000 independent oil and natural gas producers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]But what’s their mission? From the IPAA website:

The Independent Petroleum Association of America is dedicated to ensuring a strong, viable domestic oil and natural gas industry, recognizing that an adequate and secure supply of energy is essential to the national economy.

The IPAA website is full of information from Friday Fact Checks to Economic Reports, all designed to help answer questions the public may have. Our favorite area is their Industry Statistics page where they lay out stats (as far back as 1975) on dozens of topics such as petroleum consumption or drilling prices. It’s a great way to get information for several decades and look at any trends.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]On Twitter, @IPAAaccess also takes on the role of educating their 1,200+ followers. By retweeting information from expos and news articles, they help start conversations about recent facts around the industry. And it’s more than stuffy stat reporting. Check one of their latest tweets.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”1425″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/ipaa-tweet2.png” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We think they have a great style on Twitter, so we asked Julia Bell, the Manager of Public & Industry Affairs with IPAA some questions about the @IPAAaccess account.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]So Julia, are you the voice of @IPAAaccess or is there a team that contributes to the tweets?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I handle the @IPAAaccess account.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]How did @IPAAaccess get its start and how long has it been tweeting?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]IPAA has had an active presence on Twitter for several years through the profiles of individual IPAA staffers. However, we felt it was important that IPAA have its own presence on the web as a trade association. An organization without a solid, consistent social media presence runs the risk of becoming obsolete in this age of instant news and information. The official @IPAAaccess has been tweeting for a year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] IPAA represents oil & gas producers from around the country. What areas and topics do you tweet about most frequently?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Our social media content is made up of three pillars:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]One is focused on promoting the fantastic benefits of oil and natural gas development. You’d be surprised how much the public is unaware of the amazing jobs, economic growth, and leverage in security that America’s oil and natural gas sector provides this nation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The second pillar of our messaging is focused on explaining and fighting back against threats to this amazing potential – threats like burdensome regulations or punitive legislation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Our third pillar is to demonstrate where IPAA fits into the public policy debate. We tweet media articles, IPAA’s Declaration of Independents economic analyses, our press releases as they are released. The idea is to be able to follow @IPAAaccess to learn – real-time – IPAA’s position on important issues like groundbreaking votes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]What has been the most rewarding outcome since joining the Twitterverse?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Entering into the energy dialogue on Twitter has been fantastic for IPAA. Sharing our work, from press releases to blog posts to fact checks, has been enormously helpful in spreading the great benefits of oil and natural gas development. I think the most rewarding part has been to connect with people directly. The oil and natural gas industry is a fantastic one. It’s full of everyday people, young and old, who are passionate about the great things this industry does for the country. It’s been great to be able to spread this positive “energy” – if you will – and become engaged with them directly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]What do you think is the most interesting aspect of your Twitter account?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Using what I like to call “Twitter language” has been an interesting aspect of the Twitter account. Because it’s a more informal way of communicating, I think it’s good to let a bit of personality shine forth on Twitter. Hashtags are a lighthearted and even snarky way of sharing our take on some of the ridiculous things that Washington insiders or anti-development activists often cook up. Retweeting is a great way to disseminate op-eds, endorse the positions of politicians, and even share what some member companies are up to on the ground.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]How else are you using social media (Tumblr, blogs, YouTube) to get your message across?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]IPAA has an active blog called AccessDirect, which updates on the exciting developments in oil and natural gas world, explains IPAA’s position on federal legislation and regulations, and talks about challenges and opportunities America’s oil and natural gas industry faces. It also gives information about IPAA meetings and recaps on what our staff has been up to. We also have a YouTube account that features the leadership and staff of IPAA on national television networks. It also gives a closer look at what some of our membership meetings are like – like IPAA’s Oil & Gas Investment Symposium in New York, for example.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Is there anything else you would like to add about IPAA?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Check IPAA out on our website, AccessDirect blog, YouTube page, Energy in Depth coalition (@EnergyinDepth), and our oil-focused Declaration of Independents campaign![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]