Examples of social media in use in local government communications, along with a discussion about how social media is changing local government communications

1. Social media: a revolution in local
government communications?
Simon Wakeman
Head of Marketing

4. our experience

5. podcasting

7. objectives
• 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

8. equipment

10. we learnt…
• don’t underestimate time investment
• accessibility
• pick the best technology

11. social networks

12. fuse medway festival

13. fuse medway festival

15. fuse medway festival

16. we learnt…
• more than just an online billboard
• invest time in interacting
and responding
• need to offer value to community
• need more online/offline integration

17. microblogging

19. Medway
Council
100

20. RSPB
Medway
Council
765
100

21. SCC
478
RSPB
Medway
Council
765
100

22. SCC
1243 people
478
RSPB
Medway
Council
765
100

23. SCC
RSPB
Medway
Council

24. we’re learning…
• to provide interesting content
• to be human
• to monitor and respond

25. social media relations

33. we learnt…
• role of social media
monitoring in issues management
• be ready to engage when appropriate
• how new media can lead old media

34. revolution?
• skills required
• team roles and structure
• policies and processes
• social media advocacy

35. four steps to getting started
• awareness and readiness
• participation
• content creating
• opening up

36. simon.wakeman@medway.gov.uk
simon@simonwakeman.com
+44 (0) 7771 701902
twitter: simonwakeman
www.simonwakeman.com/psf2009