Social mediaHints and tips

Simon Wakeman

Head of Marketing

Association of Colleges

19 March 2009

Medway

what is social media?

online conversations

• participation

• openness

• conversation

• community

• connectivity

• people

characteristics

types of social media

types

• social networks

types

• social networks

• blogs

types

• social networks

• blogs

• wikis

types

• social networks

• blogs

• wikis

• podcasts

types

• social networks

• blogs

• wikis

• podcasts

• forums

types

• social networks

• blogs

• wikis

• podcasts

• forums

• content communities

types

• social networks

• blogs

• wikis

• podcasts

• forums

• content communities

•microblogging

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

sample clips

• 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 100 “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 a reason to visit – incentives, exclusives…

• need better online/offline integration

we learnt…

microblogging

how Twitter works

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 how councils

should be in this space (yet)

we learnt…

media relations

• monitor as widely as possible

• be prepared to engage when appropriate

• internal communications – be joined up

• how new media can lead old media

we learnt…

• learn the ropes

• get the organisation ready

• present a balanced case – risks and benefits

• don’t be afraid to try – and have fun!

closing thoughts

any questions

simon.wakeman@medway.gov.uk

simon@simonwakeman.com

+44 (0) 7771 701902

twitter: simonwakeman

www.simonwakeman.com/aoc