QT Facebook page - 8000 Likes and counting!
IF the Mayan apocalypse prophecy does come true on December 21, the QT will go out on a high.
Ten months ago, the QT Facebook page had just over 1000 likes.
Now, our Facebook fans number more than 8000, and they hail not only from the Ipswich region, but also include ex-pats living in America and Europe.
Over the course of 2012, more and more people clicked the "like" button as we posted breaking news, striking images and community interest stories.
The page has grown by thousands of likes over the past fortnight, as we put our newly-honed social media skills to use.
The "QT - The Queensland Times" Facebook page has allowed us to inform people of storm warnings, traffic incidents and other emergencies before and as they happen.
Last week we spread the news of a burst water main in the CBD within minutes of the event, and shared video footage to show commuters the severity of the burst.
The page has helped the QT - the state's oldest surviving provincial newspaper - to stay relevant into the 21st century, and it also allows Ipswich people to be more involved in the news-making process.
Queensland Times editor Stuart Sherwin said: "Our newspaper has been around for 153 years and has always striven to be in step with the very latest technology.
"Our website already has a large and growing audience, but the advent of social media such as Facebook and Twitter has enabled us to reach thousands more people across the region.
"It doesn't matter if you read the paper, our website or visit us on Facebook, it's never been easier to stay in touch with everything that's happening in Ipswich.
"And what's more, Facebook enables us to talk to our readers in real-time. So if you've got something to tell, we're all ears."
