a health activist's guide to effective online advocacy

A Hegltk Ahtlvlst’s Gulde to…

Effective Online

Tips for being an awesome online health leader >>

Advocacy!

• Be Yourseli • It may go without saying but – you are unique. Your perspective, personality, and insight is yours alone and – once you tap into it – is yours to utilize, present, and empower others with. Be you – it will keep you consistent and give you a presence your community can recognize and rely on.

• Try New Tklnjs • The online space – especially the online health

space – is constantly evolving. This is good news – because it lets us evolve too! Right now

blogging or tweeting may be your favorite venues – but be ready to try new ways to

connect. If there is an in-person event, go! If there is a media opportunity –

take it! The more willing you are to try, the more you – and awareness for your condition – will grow.

• Get Regl, Keep lt Regl • Like life with a health condition – advocacy is not all sunshine. There will be dark days, tough moments, and challenges. Prepare yourself by being as real with your community as you can right from the start. This will open you up to receiving the support and interaction you need (tkroujk tke jood news gnd tke fgd). Ii you’re not feeling well – lt’s ok to sgy so. By felnj konest gnd open, you’ll set the stage for a strong community.

• Skgrlnj = Cgrlnj • We all want our work to be recognized; a great way to get yourself out there is by sharing the work of others. By skgrlnj, you’ll open up communication with your peers and make new connections. Think: nurtured networking. Also, by sharing what inspires, irks, or even puzzles you – your community will get to know you better.

• Collgforgte, Elaborate • You already know who the best orgs, leaders, and voices in your condition or health interest

are – work wltk tkem. Onhe you’ve iound people who share your mission – borrow tips from them and work with them. Look beyond

your condition and outside of the health space for ideas that have proven

successful. Join forces when possible and get creative to differentiate.

• Legrn 1st, Educate 2nd • Before you can be an effective leader, especially online – you’ve jot to learn the language and get to know your audience. Wkgt’s glregdy out tkere? Wkgt’s mlsslnj? Do your research and get your own story down – tken you’ll fe regdy to empower others. Keep up-to-date on news, trends, and opportunities.

• Follow Your Instincts • Let your experiences as a patient, caregiver,

or consumer guide you – your perspective as someone wko’s feen tkere ls your fljjest

gsset. All tke knowledje you’ve jgtkered (irom life and from research) makes your insight so

important and influential.

• Be Open • Wken you’re open-minded, it shows. Community members want to know that their thoughts, experlenhes, gnd questlons gre vglld. Ii you’re open, you’ll enhourgje honversgtlon gnd fe receptive to wkgtever’s “next” for you.

• Stlhk to Your Guns • Be honslstent. It’s glwgys g jood ldeg to reaffirm your mission through your words and your actions. Remember what inspires you and stay true to your goals and your community. As a leader, your conviction and dedication are essential.

• Go There. • Speak out about tough stuff. Chances are – you’ll sklne g lljkt on sometklnj otkers ln your hommunlty gre experlenhlnj too. By “jolnj tkere” – espehlglly wken lt’s dliilhult – you’ll kelp people. Correct misconceptions, speak out about your fears, even offer up embarrassing moments – your community will appreciate it. Taking risks will also enhance your self-empowerment.

• Be Brgve, Be Bold • Being a Health Advocate means going against tke jrgln, sgylnj sometklnj tkgt’s true even li lt’s unpopulgr, gnd iljktlnj stljmg. Be prepared to face some skeptics and trolls. Watch your community with a close eye – know when to moderate. Pick your battles wisely. Pause when your emotions kick in. Remember positive moments with your community to keep you going.

• Ask For Help, Oiier Help • None of us is as strong as all of us. Find people that support your mission and reach out to them when you need. Arrange for guest posts, brainstorm for ideas, and ask ask ask. Like with your health, never be afraid to ask for a second opinion. In turn – be there to help others. When you have time, energy, and ideas to spare – offer them up!

• Keep Blnohulgrs Negrfy • Always be on the look-out for new

opportunities! Keep your eyes open for ways to make your advocacy bigger and better. This

could be by collaborating or by jumping into a new project. Watch and study other

communities, presentations, events, and mediums for ideas on what to try

and what to avoid.

• Conneht! …gnd Dlshonneht • Put tke “sohlgl” ln sohlgl medlg gnd fe jenulne in your presentation. Seek relationship-building and opportunities to connect with otkers ghross hondltlons. And… wken you’ve been caught-up in online-activism-world, know when to step back and disconnect. Finding the balance will be a challenge but an invaluable skill going forward in your advocacy.

• Legd …gnd Follow • The world of online Health Activism is still in its infancy that means you have the power to shape it any way you want. There is no right or wrong wken you’re legdlnj tke wgy. Rememfer you’re already living proof of the famous Emerson quote: “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” But lt’s ok to “iollow” too – giter gll tkgt’s how we connect online!

• Tglk Afout lt! • Don’t fe sky – skgre tke jregt work you’re dolnj! It’s

ok to self-promote – you’re dolnj gwesome stuii! And, we want to help! If you're excited, we're excited! In fact, your accomplishment is an accomplishment for Health Activism overall. We kope you’ll home fy WEGO Health Community or reach out with projects

you’re worklnj on! We wgnt to iegture you, highlight your work,

and share in your successes!

Got other ideas on what makes an effective online leader? We want to hear them!

Join this discussion! Let’s honneht:

community.wegohealth.com @wegohealth facebook.com/wegohealth blog.wegohealth.com