Walsall Council's digital communications has grown from one trial profile in 2008 to more than 80 in 2012. Here's a few steps along the path...

1. 12 Steps on Walsall
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Council’s social media
path...
Dan Slee, Walsall Council, August 2012.

2. Where is Walsall?

3. Where is Walsall?
HERE!
.

4. Where is Walsall?
HERE! Birmingham
..

6. In 1997...

7. In 2008 we realised the
1
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media landscape was
changing

8. We mapped our traditional
2
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media landscape

9. We mapped our traditional
2
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media landscape
2005: 21 in the media

10. We mapped our traditional
2
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media landscape

11. We mapped our traditional
2
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media landscape
2012: 7.5 in the media

12. We mapped our digital
3
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landscape

13. We joined as ourselves...
4
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14. We realised that social
5
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media is CONVERSATION

15. 6
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16. We thought we could do it
7
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all ourselves

17. We decided to share the
8
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sweets

18. We told people what we did
9
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19. We decided to share the
10
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sweets
2008 1 profile

20. We decided to share the
10
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sweets
2008 1 profile
2012 82 profiles

21. Examples...

26. Walsall 24

27. Be engaging
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Crisis
Comms

28. Be engaging
11 44
Crisis
Comms
@pcstanleywmp Walsall Police Station at 19:11 today, not on
fire. Look how not on fire it is. Very not on fire.

29. It doesn’t always go well...

30. What is next?
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31. Walsall Council’s 6 golden rules of social media
Be consistent - Encourage constructive criticism and deliberation.
Be cordial, honest, sensible and professional at all times. Move the
debate forward if you can do so constructively.
Be responsive - When you gain insight, share it where appropriate.
Take debate offline where you can. Respond within 24 hours. Even if
this is just an acknowledgement.
Be integrated - Wherever possible, align online participation with other
offline communications.
Be a reponsible officer - Remember that you are an ambassador for
the Council. Comment on what you are authorised to comment on.
Remember your comments will remain online and the laws of
defamation apply.
Be connected – Remember you are part of a team. Feedback activity to
communications and use them as a source of advice.

32. Creative Commons credits
Thick legged flower beetle: http://flic.kr/p/9WKpEw
Warning: http://flic.kr/p/5BZgwL
Sweets: http://flic.kr/p/92Ra8X

33. Thank you
Any questions?
Dan Slee
sleed@walsall.gov.uk
www.danslee.wordpress.com
Twitter: @danslee