social media and local government
DESCRIPTION
Presented at Don't Panic Guide to Social Media conference, Barbican, London, 1 April 2009TRANSCRIPT
Social media and
local government
Simon Wakeman
Head of Marketing
the council picture
• May 2008 – online survey
• 82 responses from 61 councils
• 13.8% of all councils responded
research
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Blogs Podcasts Social networks Wikis Video sharing
websites
Image sharing
websites
Social
bookmarking
Virtual worlds
Regularly Occasionally Rarely
social media used in communications
Source: 82 communicators in 61 local authorities surveyed May 2008
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Podcasts
Blogs
Video
sharing
web
sites
Social
networking
Wikis
Social
bookm
arking
Image sh
aring
web
sites
Virtual w
orlds
Not used but plan to in next 6 months
plan to use social media in next six months
Source: 82 communicators in 61 local authorities surveyed May 2008
• low awareness of potential uses
• lack of personal use
• blocking access – firewalls and policies
• support from IT departments
barriers to use
our experience
podcasting
• create a new two-way communication
channel for young people in Medway
• get young people actively involved in
producing the podcast
• help the organisation learn about
podcasting as a communications tool
objectives
equipment
• 360-400 downloads per show
• positive face to face feedback
• limited direct responses
• experience of new communications tool
results
• be clear why
• don’t underestimate time investment
• accessibility
• pick the best technology
we learnt…
social networks
fuse medway festival
fuse medway festival
fuse medway festival
• more than 130 “fans”
• raised profile among new audience group
• maintain presence between festivals
• a starting point…
results
• more than just an online billboard
• invest time in interacting and responding
• need to offer value to community
• need more online/offline integration
we learnt…
microblogging
Medway
Council
100
Medway
Council
RSPB
100
765
Medway
Council
RSPB
SCC
100
765
478
Medway
Council
RSPB
SCC
100
765
478
1243 people
Medway
Council
RSPB
SCC
• to provide interesting content
• to be human
• to monitor and respond
• that there aren’t any rules for
councils in this space (yet)
we’re learning…
social media relations
• role of social media monitoring in issues management
• be ready to engage when appropriate
• internal communications – be joined up
• how new media can lead old media
we learnt…
• get the team ready
• get the organisation ready
• understand the bigger picture
don’t be afraid to try – and have fun!
closing thoughts
+44 (0) 7771 701902
twitter: simonwakeman
www.simonwakeman.com/dpgsm2009