Councillors and social media
Winning friends, influencing people and staying out of trouble online
What is social media
Is it a collection of tools?
As common as gossip
As revolutionary as the printing press
Don’t be fooled by the tools
Collaboration
Talk
People
Social media is social
It’s a new way of connecting
How are some councillors using it?
How are some councils using it?
How are citizens using it?
How you can use social media
• Issues• ElectionsCampaign
• Engage with residents• Provide informationExplain
• A cause for complaint?Complain?
Never forget...
is forever
Everyone makes a mistake sometime
Check your facts
No poetic licenses granted
Apologise and retract
Don’t be a muppet
A nameless council on Twitter
Twitter Ban
Queer smears
Unfortunate impersonation
Your impact online
Think twice before you hit enter
How would it look in your local paper?
Don’t take the bait
NOT FOR SLIDESHARE
All in good fun
www.idea.gov.uk
Stay cool
Stay above the fray
Plan a response strategy
Have a comments policy
What are your “friends” posting?
Nothing is private really
Think about Facebook profile
Just follow the rules, you’ll be OK
Standards apply online
Take extra care with Planning
Privacy matters
Conversational, but published
And never forget...
is forever
Sources of support
• www.civicsurf.org.uk a resource for blogging councillors
• www.ideasocial.wetpaint.com draft guide to social media for councillors
• www.socialbysocial.com a primer for harnessing social media for social good
• www.communities.idea.gov.uk IDeA’s communities of practice network
www.idea.gov.uk
Acknowledgements
• Adapted from an original slideset by Ingrid Koehler ([email protected])