The social media phenomenon has spread its way to economic development in a big (business) way.

Twitter. Facebook. YouTube. Flickr. You’ve heard the names. You might even have joined one or several of those social media networks. Yet, did you know that these tools are being used to promote Orlando worldwide as a business destination?

As online tech news magazine FierceBiotech.com recently reported, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission has led its industry in the use of social media to promote its fourcounty region as a dynamic location to start and build a business. The EDC’s efforts in this realm date back to 2007, when fledgling groups, created to engage the region’s film and digital media industry, were active on Facebook and MySpace. As more and more professionals ventured into the exploding world of social media, the EDC’s presence there expanded into multiple Facebook fan groups, as well as growing presence on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Most recently, the EDC created an “Orlando Works” movement on Twitter to coincide with the Orlando Magic’s NBA championship run. While the eyes of the nation were on Central Florida, local citizens were encouraged to tweet about how and why Orlando works for them as a great place to live, work and play. YouTube video comments explaining why Orlando works were also requested, and many responded, starting with the Magic’s No. 1 fan, Dennis Salvagio, aka “The Fat Guy.”

The good news is that these outreach efforts are already beginning to reap dividends for the region. One tweet at a recent trade show drew several dozen interested prospects to the EDC’s booth. Information posted on MySpace led to an inquiry that ultimately led to a digital media company’s establishing an office in Orlando. Additional EDC projects, now in the works, trace their origins to a post first seen on Facebook. And YouTube is being used to create a series of testimonials to target specific industries and economic development prospects.

It is the broad-based participation and easy redistribution aspects of these viral marketing tools that make the new communication formats so powerful. The more retweeting, facebook posting and flickr uploading the better, as entire arsenals of information about local community assets are built and forwarded by contributors to their own networks of friends and colleagues. Thus, this offers very direct and tangible ways that local businesspeople can contribute to the reach and success of our economic development efforts.

For example, here’s how you can help:

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Twitter: Tell why “Orlando Works” for you in your own 140 characters. Is it the quality of life, sense of community, diverse business climate or all the above? Start by following the EDC at @OrlandoWorks. Then join the dialogue and help spread the word, making sure you use #orlandoworks to tag your tweets.

Here are some recent tweets:

• “Why Orlando works for me? Because it’s great to live in a city whose best days are still ahead of it.” #orlandoworks (via @workforce101)
• “Because artists & arts groups of all sizes thrive in a community of support.” #orlandoworks #orlando (via @UnitedArts)
• “#Orlando works because it is big enough to accomplish anything, small enough to see your own impact.” #orlandoworks. (via @david_alecock)
• “It provides me with year-round sunshine and a great place to raise my family.” #orlandoworks #orlando (via @chrisgent)

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YouTube: Capture why “Orlando Works” for you in video format. To upload your video to YouTube, visit the EDC’s channel at www.youtube.com/orlandoworks, click “send message” and send the EDC a link to your video. The EDC might add the video to its favorites. Or, take a look at www.youtube.com/orlandobusiness to learn more about innovative companies that call metro Orlando home.

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Flickr: Do you have great photos that reflect the dynamic nature of the region? Shots that show the rest of the world all that metro Orlando offers? Share them via the Orlando Works group on Flickr. If you’re not sure what to upload, here are some ideas:

• Scenery throughout metro Orlando — downtown Orlando, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County and Osceola County
• Arts and cultural photos
• Interesting people and unexpected places
• Nightlife and on the town
• Recreation — trails, waterways and more

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While the use of social media in business and in economic development is new, its use is merely another avenue that allows the region to position itself as a business destination, engage audiences and encourage “brand ambassadors” to share that information with others. At a time when budgets are tight and unemployment has reached record highs, these new media outlets offer a cost-effective means of reaching targeted groups and an immediate way to spread the good news from and about metro Orlando.

Editor’s note: This article was produced in partnership with the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.