1. Diana Lejardi, November 12, 2014 Using Social Media

2. Things to Consider Who is your target audience? What do you want to use social media for? Who will be responsible for posting messages and responding?

3. Types of Social Media Social networks (Facebook) Blogs Microblogs (Twitter) Podcasts Forums Photo and video sharing

4. Advantages of Social Media Provides immediate information Can create rapid connections and build relationships with the public Helps build and maintain dynamic relationships with the media

5. Advantages of Social Media Helps dispel rumors by immediately providing accurate information Incorporates website links where media outlets and the public can obtain more detailed information Works in support of a broader communication strategy

6. Disadvantages of Social Media Some people mistrust social media or don’t know how to use them. Personnel and technology are required Continual monitoring and following up are needed Limited to terms of how much info can be included Some audiences do not use social media Some people post to start controversy

7. Protocols Clear messages and new pages through your Communications Office Determine who will manage the page Consider record retention for Freedom of Information requests Personal Pages: If you list your place of employment, include a disclaimer

8. Working with your Communications Office Timely topics Determine what messages are important and when Help develop messages

9. Get Your Message Out Develop multiple tweets/posts Highlight what’s important/helpful Give tools and tips Send them to your Communications Office for approval The less work your messages need, the more likely they’ll go out

10. Tips for Social Media Be catchy  Don’t just post a link Try to put a face to your page  Use quotes and pictures Engage users Use html pages instead of downloads for links  Easier to access on mobile devices

11. Using bit.ly Shortens web addresses (about 25 characters) Evaluation component

12. Tips for Twitter Tweet daily Keep messages to 120 characters or less  Makes it easier for other users to retweet Use multiple tweets to get out more information Use hashtags (#)

13. Make It Interesting Basic Tweet: Fact Sheet: Falls and Older Adults. For info: http://1.usa.gov/fppqVh SPICE IT UP!

15. Facebook Posts Allows for more characters to entice users (420) Allows for graphics/thumb nails Videos, photos, links

16. Making Your Messages Effective Give resources/call to action Target your audience Make sure your messages can stand alone Make your links/information easily accessible

17. Have Messages Prepared In case there is an event: We are aware of the situation Our role is ________________. Our next step is ________________. Let people know you’re playing and they can come back for information.

18. 5 Major Characteristics or Attributes of Social Media Participation Openness Conversation Communities Connectedness

19. Social Media Users Lurkers Novices Insiders Leaders Elders

20. Social Media: Before a Crisis Developing relationships with audiences builds trust Helps promote preparedness and education audiences about risks Organizations need to be regular users of social media before a crisis

21. Social Media: Before a Crisis Include social media in your CERC plan Monitor social media to track issues and listen to the concerns of the public Use social media in daily communication activities Follow and share messages with credible sources

22. Social Media: During a Crisis Immediacy of social media is an important feature during a crisis Most immediate forms, like microblogging (Twitter) and social media (Facebook) will be prevalent in early stages Stakeholders become key sources of information

23. Social Media: During a Crisis Join the conversation, help manage rumors by responding to misinformation, and determine the best channels to reach segmented audiences Check all information for accuracy and respond honestly to questions Recognize that the media are already using social media Remember social media is interpersonal communication

24. Social Media: During a Crisis Use social media as a primary tool for updates Organizations have another option Ask for help and provide direction Web 2.0 is not a solution to all communication problems

26. October Snowstorm 2011 October 29 Issues  Hospitals, nursing homes, residential facilities  Power outages  Carbon monoxide poisoning  Food safety  Public water systems

29. Our Response Set up website Press releases (18 releases from October 30 – November 12) Twitter and Facebook Fact sheets Text4Baby Template message for local health departments

31. Twitter

32. Facebook

33. Superstorm Sandy 310 storm-related tweets from October 25 – November 7 68 storm-related posts on Facebook from October 25 – November 8 1,732 clicks through bit.ly from October 26 – November 8

34. Blizzard Nemo

35. Writing for Social Media Provide adequate scientific expertise Provide messages of self-efficacy Use social media to provide emotional support Establish trust with social media users You are not necessarily able to control what messages are being sent

36. Writing for Social Media The public is increasingly diverse in terms of which medium they are using to get information Use social media to listen to the public Collaborate and coordinate with credible sources Partner with the public via social media Accuracy is always important but so is speed of response

37. * You should respond * You want people to engage

38. Crafting a Response Acknowledge the question Address the issue Provide resources Drive people back to your main message

39. Question: Response :

40. Evaluation Effectiveness of messages Determine what messages your audience is interested in Is it worth your time?

41. Evaluation Tools bit.ly Number of followers, friends and likes Comments on Facebook Facebook Insights Retweets and mentions (Twitter) Website analysis

42. Promoting Your Page Include links in materials Widgets/buttons on webpages

43. Resources CDC Social Media Tools Guidelines and Best Practices  www.cdc.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/g uidelines/ www.cdc.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/g uidelines/ State of Connecticut Social Media Policy  http://www.ct.gov/doit/cwp/view.as p?a=1245&q=467964 http://www.ct.gov/doit/cwp/view.as p?a=1245&q=467964

44. Contact Me Diana Lejardi diana.lejardi@ct.gov 860-713-6414 www.twitter.com/ct_oec www.facebook.com/ctoec