Social media 101

Chances are you are already using many channels to get information to citizens… [Direct Mail] [Public Meetings] [Signage] [Gov’t Access Channels] [News Media] [Newsletters] [Websites]

SOCIAL MEDIA offers new channels for getting information out… …and getting information in

New Opportunities [Reach people where they are] [Two-way communication] [Text messages, too] [Engage new audiences]

What is social media? [According to Wikipedia] Social media is media designed to be disseminated through social interaction, created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Social media uses Internet and web-based technologies to transform broadcast media monologues (one to many) into social media dialogues (many to many).

[For today’s discussion] Internet-based Free or nearly free Easy to access Dynamic Living, breathing conversation with potentially lots of people Fun

BLOGS

http://twitter.com/

http://www.facebook.com/ http://www.facebook.com/Warrenparks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3e5BT22DZY http://vimeo.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mercergov/ http://photobucket.com/

http://wordpress.org/ http://mercerislandblogger.wordpress.com/ BLOGS

Getting started DO practice using social media on your own, keeping in mind that even in your private life, you are still a public employee DO seek out people in your organization who are enthusiastic and innovative DO get the support of your legal department and organizational leaders

Getting started DO spend a little time thinking about your audience and what you want to accomplish DO talk to other organizations and look for other examples DO map out your current communication channels and how social media can be integrated

Getting started DO consider how two-way communications will be managed DO make a case for how communication supports (and in many cases is essential to) your organization’s mission and priorities

[What Outreach Can Do] Teaches citizens about preparing for disasters Alerts citizens about safety issues Encourages citizens to attend classes and programs Invites citizens to attend public events and celebrations Helps citizens save money through energy and water conservation Educates citizens about social concerns such as youth drug and alcohol abuse

Getting started DON’T get discouraged – social media can be scary to people DON’T think for one minute that social media is going away and won’t impact your organization someday DO jump in as soon as you can