Millions of Americans eager to see the administration pursue a robust jobs agenda took to Twitter last week to have their voices heard during President Obama’s first Twitter Townhall by posing a simple question: “Will you help businesses and free enterprise create #jobs by getting government out of the way?”

In an innovative and far-reaching digital grassroots effort, the U.S. Chamber urged its members and supporters to post the question about jobs to the president through their Twitter accounts. The Chamber reached out to its Facebook fans, sent emails to one million supporters through its Small Business Nation and Friends of the U.S. Chamber programs, and teased its plans in Politico, and through its Chamberpost blog.

In addition, the Chamber is thought to be the first organization to use Twitter’s new advertising platform as part of the high-profile advocacy effort. When Twitter users typed in certain key words during a search, the jobs question or the Chamber’s Twitter handle, @uschamber, appeared on their screens.

On the day of the event, the Chamber’s question was retweeted more than 700 times—many from first time Twitter users who signed up explicitly to help spread the Chamber message—
and was seen by more than a million people.

In addition, the Chamber’s Twitter handle attracted more than 2,500 new followers—a 65% increase in one day. The Chamber question continued to be retweeted in the days following the event—a clear indication that the message resonated with America’s job creators.

Follow the U.S. Chamber on Twitter.