Social Media Workshop | MESH | Indiana | October 2013

1. Cheryl
Bledsoe,
@cherylble
SESSION 3:
SOCIAL MEDIA
CONTENT STRATEGIES

2. Content Challenges
What to Post
When to Post (in crisis & in peace)
Dangerous Content
COURSE OBJECTIVES

3. Issue #1:
We Practice Boring….because it is safe
AGENCY CHALLENGES

4. Issue #2:
Listening is Scary, or…
AGENCY CHALLENGES

5. Issue #3:
Content
Can Be
Complex ►►►
AGENCY CHALLENGES
Anyone got an
overly complex
graphic here in
the audience?

6. Issue #5:
Difficult to be Culturally Relative within
Traditional Message Approval Timelines
AGENCY CHALLENGES

7. Blog
Tweets
Contests
Quizzes
Poll Questions
Info Graphics
Photos
Videos
TYPES OF POSTS

8. 70% should answer what the public needs
How-To DIY
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful Resources
20% should be other people’s content
Generates participatory ownership
Enhances Trust
10% should be your own agency content
WHAT TO POST
#smPDX

9. When Information is Relevant
 If You Are In the Midst of an Emergency,
 Be concise & Broadcast-focused
 Monitor Enough to Know the Trending Concerns
 If The Emergency Is Happening Elsewhere,
 Ask: What Might My Community Want to Know?
 If You Are NOT In an Emergency,
 Choose a Posting Rhythm that Meets Your Resources
In a Timely Fashion
Time of Day Can Influence Engagement
WHEN TO POST

10. Give Your
Community Fun
Content
Know Your Core
Values
Be Responsive
Remember, Peopl
e are Visual
CONTENT STRATEGIES

11.  Interact
 Embrace the Holidays
 Choose Themes
 Do Social Good
 Solve Problems
 Create & Use Active Hashtags
 Feature Your Followers
 Promote Across Platforms
If you want to engage with Internet Meme’s,
do it early….within 1-2 weeks of hype.
CONTENT IDEAS

12.  Getting Comfortable with Making Video’s
 Be Nimble Enough to Host Your Own Press Conference
 Practice Taking Pictures
 Communicate Without Words
 Think Constantly About What You Can Share
 Watch Your Community…. Be Connected
 Be Fun
BE READY BY….

13. Use the “Holiday Dinner”
rules….
 Be Aware of Politics
 Avoid Religion
 Focus on Facts
 Be Non-Judgmental
Negative Comments…
 Embrace Educational
Opportunities
 Communities will self-
regulate
 Be clear on your content
management rules
DANGEROUS CONTENT

14. Contact Information
Cheryl Bledsoe (@cherylble)
Emergency Management
Cheryl.Bledsoe@clark.wa.gov
360-992-6270
Social Media Projects
cherylble@gmail.com
503-250-4882
QUESTION & ANSWER TIME
Can’t quite remember your question?
Tweet @CherylBle for more discussion