Social media for councils june 10
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The document discusses how social media has changed communication from static websites to user-generated content platforms. It provides information on starting and using various social media platforms like blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and custom social networks. The key points are that social media allows direct connections between people, relies on user content over organizational control, and works best when online and offline activities are blended for events and causes. Success requires facilitating conversations rather than controlling them and being realistic about goals.
Social media for councils june 10
- 1. Social Media for CouncilsAn Introduction
- 2. On Road Media helpspeople find ways to communicate and stay in touch online
- 4. Static sites were web 1.0Blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networks......any site where ordinary people create content and socialise...= web 2.0
- 5. BLOGS
- 6. Blogs – the basicsA blog is a special kind of website that organizes articles or “posts” by date or subject, and allows readers to commentBlogs are usually less formal and more dynamic that a normal websiteGood blogs invite comments and discussion and repeat visitsSearch engines like blogs!
- 10. Starting a blogRead some blogs yourself, then try a free blog tool for yourselfwww.blogger.com
- 12. www.typepad.comThe best blogs are honest, interesting, useful and consistent – not an easy taskAsk yourself: Do I have the resources to make a good blog? Is a bad blog worth it?
- 13. MICRO BLOGGING
- 14. What is Twitterwww.twitter.com“Twitter is a service for friends, family and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?”Yeah – I didn’t get it either – at first
- 15. Twitter is a lot of conversations
- 16. Why is Twitter popular?It’s like instant messaging or text messaging but to a huge groupOddly enough, communication happens and communities form in tiny burstsIt’s quite addictive…
- 17. Starting with TwitterSign up, it’s freeAt first, you’ll see almost nothingStart “following” peopleParticipate – say something, ask a question, respond to others’ questions
- 19. PHOTOS
- 21. AUDIO / PODCASTS
- 24. VIDEO
- 27. The web has changed how we communicateIt’s gone from thisTo this
- 28. What’s so different about web 2.0?It is fundamentally different from previous forms of mediaSocial media platforms provide a framework for people to connect directly to each other – the architecture has permanently changed, though technologies will continue to evolvePeople are using social media to glean information from each other without relying on organisationsThis shift is permanent! Get involved or lose out!
- 29. This doesn’t mean we replace offline activity!
- 30. The best users of social media blend online and offline activity in marketingExample: If you’re running an awareness or fundraising event for your organisationCreate a network or start a group around the eventWrite blog posts in the run up to the eventInvite people to post their own photos onto your site, ask them to post their feedback etcThose who took part will feel like part of a teamThose who couldn’t be there will feel like they haven’t missed out
- 31. Social NetworkingNothing replaces face-to-face contact
- 32. But...Social Networking can facilitate conversations between much larger groups of people
- 34. What is Facebook?Facebook is a “social networking platform”People “live” online thereIt’s not just for kids (half of you are there!)The average Facebook user views 45 pages during a sessionThere are different kinds of FB pages: personal, groups, companies or organisations like yours
- 35. Starting with FacebookSign up for a personal accountFind your friends, look at what they are doing Join some groupsSearch with keywords relating to your organisation’s missionStart contributing and creating
- 36. To really make social networking WORK, organisations MUST:Let goFacilitate conversations, don’t control themInvolve people, don’t ‘own’ your causeAllow people to get involved: Volunteer or employee on social network does not equal messer!Try things and be patientAggregate content for your audience
- 37. Be realisticSocial networking isn’t a miracle cureIt may take a while for your social networking investment to pay offIt might even never pay off in the way you originally intended
- 38. Social Networking is just one communication toolDon’t over-invest in social networksWho are your audiences(current and future)? Court them appropriatelyIf you turn your back on conventional media (notice boards, newsletters, local press etc.), you might leave out your core audience / supportersBut don’t under-invest in social networks either
- 39. Learn to relax a littleOf course not all information on social networks is exactly right but the bulk of it is generally right (see wikipedia)SO...Or at least be a little ‘zen’ about it
- 40. “But what if we’re attacked?!?”People are (hopefully!) talking about you whether you like it or notBetter they have these discussions where you can see them and respondNot all comments will be favourableHow you react to the negative ones says a lot about youPick your battles and don’t be afraid to say sorry or admit when you’re wrong
- 41. Power and ControlYou won’t always be able to control things or place yourself at the centre of discussions.You will have to give up some control to gain more friends, followers and influence. This is a good thing.
- 42. Savvy Chavvy & the power of bespoke social networks
- 43. Savvy ChavvyA social network for young Gypsies and Travellers in the UK4000 membersWon the first Catalyst Communities award in July 2008‘Chavvy’ is a Romany word for ‘child’
- 44. Savvy ChavvyYoung Travellers use the network as a safe place to learn, have discussions, find family members, make friends and arrange events
- 45. Rosina Hughes is 17 from Wareham, Dorset. She says:"It's great to have a site where you feel comfortable and safe discussing these things”"They have Gypsy hate groups, so it's important that we have our own space."“You're all dirty” and “you're all scum”, are some of the racist responses she says she has received on other social networking sites.
- 46. You can set up your own network for your community or organisation by using free networks like:www.ning.comwww.socialgo.comwww.grou.pswww.webjam.comWe set Savvy Chavvy up using Ning
- 47. Some examples of other bespoke social networkshttp://heartsounds.ning.comHundreds of people in the UK with mental health problems use the network to share information with professionals and other service users in Ugandawww.harringayonline.com2500 residents of this town in London use it to share information, launch campaigns and build community spirit www.tudiabetes.comOver 6000 people with diabetes use the network to support each other and share information
- 48. TOP TEN TIPSto start your own social network Firstly, you need to consider the purpose of your network – who will be your members and why will they use this website above others? What need does your network address?
- 49. Set UpGo to a platform like Ning, SocialGo or Grou.ps and set up your network, choosing a catchy name and web address. It’s very simple; all you need is an email address and it takes a couple of minutes
- 50. Privacy Choose how public or private it is going to be – can everyone on the web see and contribute to your network or will it be closed and private for your members only?
- 51. Tagline Give your network a tagline and short description - what’s it all about? The tagline should consist of one pithy sentence, E.g. www.savvychavvy.com: ‘A social network for young Gypsies and Travellers in the UK’
- 52. FeaturesNext, add features to your network. You can drag and drop functions like ‘forum’, ‘chat’, ‘blog’, ‘video’ & ‘photos’ into the front page. You might, for example, place the ‘forum’ function prominently in the middle of the page if having discussions is the main purpose of your network
- 53. DesignChoose a design – Bespoke social networking platforms will give you lots of templates to choose from and you can customize one with your own choice of images, logos, fonts and colours
- 54. ContentYour network is now ready for content – help to define the network’s identity by starting discussions, posting photos, adding videos etc that are relevant to the purpose of the websiteBehaviour – YOU set the tone of your network. You set the house rules define how you want people to behave in your space
- 55. PeopleInvite people to the network – start by inviting relevant people and welcoming them by writing a note on their pages. If you’re trying to attract a certain community don’t send out blanket invites to attract a volume of members – the quality and relevance of your members is what will help it grow and develop into a sustainable space. You can support this by writing your own relevant joining up questions
- 56. EngageKeep the community active and interested – once you have a working network, keep your members engaged by making small changes to the site, adding new content and sending them relevant information (without spamming them with constant messages!) MODERATION: Make sure your network is looked after, little and often works best.
- 57. ExtrasA lot of services are free but platforms like Ning are now starting to charge a compulsory monthly fee. You can also pay extra for optional services like the removal of ads, the ability to use your own domain name and extra storage