LIKES, CLICKS & REACH – IT’S A SOCIAL THING | Darrin Henry
First-line blood relatives they might be, but our photo-blog and What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page, have very different personalities.
The blog is the grown up sibling; thoughtful, takes pride in its appearance and thinks before it speaks (mostly). It has responsibilities; a long-term role to play.
The Facebook Page on the other hand lives in the moment, still with a crucial role as well but definitely more of a Harry than a William. Much more random, less formal; prone to a wild weekend in Vegas at the drop of a hat – so to speak!
Still, they both play an important role in our WTSDN venture and although there is plenty of cross-over we do notice specific fans of just one or the other forum.
The Things Our Page Gets Up To
Although our Facebook Page is very much the ‘best supporting actor,’ set up simply to promote and raise awareness of the blog, that hasn’t stopped it from carving out a little niche for itself.
Each October on Page’s launch anniversary (8 October 2014) we’ve held a Facebook photography competition. Three competitions have successfully been completed now.
We introduced a Facebook Page Saturday Share which took place throughout 2017, where every weekend we helped promote other Pages, mostly from St Helena but also other Pages we connect with. We managed Saturday Shares on 50 of 52 weeks (two weeks lost owing to travel and poor internet access).
Best Picture Performers Of 2017
One of the most fascinating things about our Facebook Page is the different levels of response to the pictures. We are always left to marvel at photos we might personally think are quite ordinary yet completely captures the interest of our followers.
As the year draws to a close we’ve decided to look back at the most popular images.
Here then are the top 10 pictures from 2017 on What The Saints Did Next’s Facebook Page, as decided by their reach and engagement stats. We’ve included the original captions as posted.

You can’t get these RMS St Helena travel document holders anymore, (not from Solomon’s anyway) so ours is now a cherished keepsake that we still carry with us no matter where we travel.
A little piece of St Helena’s ocean going heritage to hang on to as we move to air travel. What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 1 July 2017)

Since Breeze 3 one of us really has a thing for doors!!
This one from Istanbul might have to go in Breeze 4. What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 24 June 2017)

Mike’s Munchies filling the Parade Square with tempting smells on Saturday morning. What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 11 November, 2017)

Another shot of the impressive haul road out of Ruperts, St Helena.
What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 15 January, 2017)

Visiting Cape Town for years but this has definitely been on of the most amazing weeks for us in the Mother City. #lovecapetown
What The Saints Did Next’s been on the go, non-stop – amazing new adventures, awesome photo shoots, wonderful people and too much food. Also been working with the superb team from Cape Town Tourism. Exhausted now! New posts and photos to come soon…
What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 16 June, 2017)

We fixed the world’s problems in one afternoon! Awesome catching up again with this young fella.
What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 14 August, 2017)

Can’t beat Carnation milky ice lollies in Jamestown.
What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 16 April, 2017)

Air bus has now landed on St Helena!
What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 8 December, 2017)

The good ship at dawn this morning, loaded up and almost ready for the voyage to Cape Town – just waiting on passengers.
What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017 (Posted 17 January, 2017)

St Helena’s cargo carriers; RMS St Helena and old lorries.
What The Saints Did Next Facebook Page most popular pictures of 2017. (Posted 20 December 2017)
Happy New Year to you both when it comes!xx
Same to you and Robin, Shirley, have a wonderful 2018. Cheers 🙂
Great pictures. HAPPY New Year.
Thanks Larry, great to hear from you. Best wishes for a super 2018. Cheers 🙂
Enjoyed top 10 with morning coffee, lovely pictures. Love No.5 very smart but the phrase Air bus has landed rolls the dice. Well done WTSDN wishing you the best for 2018.
Cheers Borbs, glad you enjoyed it.
Best wishes for 2018 to you too 🙂
No 5 – Two of St Helena’s finest!
Bless you 🙂 Thanks Cilla.