How to leverage social media to cover the opioid epidemic in small-town America

By establishing a strong following on Facebook through relentlessly covering the issue on her profile, Heather Wolford branded herself as the "go to" local reporter for coverage of heroin and opioid-related topics. When the public thinks of the heroin crisis, they feel comfortable enough to reach out and share information with her.

Don’t trust Facebook? Well, in a county of about 70,000 residents, news travels fast. And it travels on social media. To cover something as taboo as opioid addiction in small-town America, you must leverage social media.

Wolford shares some tips on how to manage your social identity (mostly through Facebook), and other ways to become a “go to” resource for your area.