Library 2.0: Jump start your library with blogging and Twitter

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Library 2.0: Jump start your library with blogging and Twitter - Presentation Transcript

  1. LIBRARY 2.0 JUMPSTART YOUR LIBRARY WITH BLOGGING & TWITTER Nathan T. Wright & Hillary Brown / Lava Row
  2. The Challenge.
    • Your library has a blog and multiple authors, but engagement and dialogue with visitors isn’t happening.
  3. Why should libraries have a blog in the first place?
    • Usage of library websites decreased from 2005 to 2007. *
    • Build it and they will come – this approach to a web presence doesn’t work.
    • Your target demographic is using search engines and the social web to find information.
    • “ Life online is moving beyond browsing and searching to interacting, creating, collaborating and community.” *
    * From the 2007 OCLC report Sharing, Privacy and Trust in Our Networked World
  4. How to gauge a successful blogging initiative
    • Hits, user sessions and referring traffic are important, but engagement (comments) is the big measuring stick.
    • A young blog (less than a year old) should be happy with an average of 2-3 comments per post.
    • Don’t expect to be The Huffington Post any time soon. Take baby steps!
  5. This post had 3 comments. What made it work? http://library.drake.edu/blogs/spending-too-much-time-facebook
  6. What made it work?
    • The title was used as a “ hook ” to pull readers into the post.
    • Subject matter (social networking fatigue) was relevant and timely to the demographic.
    • The post ended with a challenge for readers to chime in and participate.
  7. This post had 0 comments. Why is no one chiming in? http://library.drake.edu/blogs/new-trial-database-cambridge-histories-online
  8. Why is no one chiming in?
    • Subject matter is a bulletin / announcement. There is zero incentive for dialogue .
    • Writing style is very formal, not conversational or candid . (People prefer to connect with people.)
    • Majority of content is an excerpt from an outside source, with no opinion added.
  9. Hints for creating engaging blog content
    • Recap: Hook the reader, offer relevant and timely content, encourage participation.
    • Recap: Be human. Write in a conversational style and add your two cents.
    • Review new books, in addition to announcing them. Tell the reader why they should be interested.
    • Make it about others , not just you. Feature guest posts or reviews from select library visitors.
  10. More hints for creating engaging blog content
    • Spice it up with multimedia content – Splurge on a $150 Flip Cam * and easily create your own videos. Record and post audio podcasts.
    • Use images, graphics and subheads whenever possible. Give your readers’ eyes a rest.
    • Take a stand. Have an opinion. A good, intelligent debate will always heat up your comments section.
    * Check out Flip Cams at http://www.theflip.com
  11. Got writer’s block? It happens. Here are some specific content ideas.
    • Create a video interview with a library visitor about their secret study spot.
    • Record a podcast with two differing opinions about a new book. Debate!
    • Reflect on your recent travels, then develop a guide to relevant books in your collection about those areas.
    • Don’t just announce databases: Highlight the people, places and stories contained within the databases.
    • Visit IHelpYouBlog.com for 100+ more topic-starters.
    Photo credit: tomsaint11 via Flickr.com
  12. Develop a commenting moderation policy
    • Negative comments are inevitable. If they are intelligent and on-topic, go ahead and post them.
    • This is an opportunity to post your side of the story and/or clear up misinformation – on your own turf.
    • You reserve the right to disallow slanderous, mean-spirited, vulgar and off-topic comments.
    • Try to respond to any comments with questions within 24 hours.
  13. IN SUMMARY… Blogs are conversations , not one-way streets.
  14. Source: Gapingvoid.com
  15. Thinking outside the blog
    • One of the most effective ways to drive traffic to your blog is to participate in conversations on other blogs .
    • Subscribe to bloggers in an RSS Reader who frequently write about subjects relevant to yours.
    • By joining their conversations, you’re joining their community. Over time this can drive readers back to you.
    • Use Twitter as another touch-point to reach and engage your demographic.
  16. What the heck is Twitter? A microblogging social network with 5 million+ users. Updates (“tweets”) are 140 characters or less. Tweets can be sent and received via text (SMS).
  17. An example of the 140-character limit:
  18. Twitter Explained:
    • Your consciousness, syndicated.
    • An online, 24/7 cocktail party.
    • Powerful in hyperlocal geographic pockets.
    • Twitter users gather in real life – “ tweetups .”
    • Great way to connect w/ local & nat’l media.
    • Best focus group ever!
    • Efficient communication.
  19. Getting started on Twitter:
    • Subscribe to relevant tweeps - other librarians on Twitter, students at Drake University. (Yes, it’s acceptable to “follow” someone on Twitter who you haven’t met yet.)
    • Post often and be responsive . Answer questions. You get out of it what you put into it.
    • To reference other users in your updates, use the @ symbol in front of their username. (Example: @hillabean)
    • Mingle, don’t shout. Behave like you would at a networking event or cocktail party. This builds your social capital .
  20. How libraries are using Twitter:
    • Announcements / news: Special events, hours, exhibits, new resources, services and arrivals.
    • Customer service.
    • Networking with librarian colleagues across the world.
    • One-to-one communication with individuals about requested materials.
    • Public relations / marketing / brand-building.
    • Opportunities to push readers back to blog content.
    • Conversations w/ clients and patrons.
  21. Case Study: Nebraska Library Commission
    • http://twitter.com/NLC_Reference
    • NLC uses Twitter to keep track of (and answer) reference questions.
  22. Case Study: Waubonsee Community College Todd Library
    • Incorporated Twitter into SIRSI Unicorn system – automatically tweets every hour when a book is checked out
    • Automatically tweets how much paper was used in the electronic research area during the day
    • http://twitter.com/wcctoddlibrary
  23. Case Study: Grand Rapids Public Library
    • GRPL uses Twitter as a listening device – searching for the keywords GRPL , book , reading , Evergreen (name of their new catalog)
    • http://twitter.com/grpl
  24. Some amazing Library 2.0 resources:
    • TheShiftedLibrarian.com (blog)
    • OCLC 2007 Report: Sharing, Privacy and Trust in Our Networked World
    • Arizona State University Libraries
    • LibraryCrunch.com – for the Next Generation Library (blog)
    • Library 2.0 – a social networking for librarians interested in social media and Web 2.0 technology. 3,700+ members.
    • The Ubiquitous Librarian (blog)
  25. twitter: @nathantwright twitter: @hillabean [email_address] [email_address] http://www.lavarow.com http://www.slideshare.net/nathantwright

+ Nathan WrightNathan Wright, 11 months ago

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