Kirklees Council's approach to using social media, plus three case studies and some tips for other councils.

1. We are using social media for:
Communication
Engagement
Collaboration
Diane Sims & Tanya Horan
Kirklees Council

2. Our approach…
1. It’s about the outcomes, not the technology.
We want our staff, ward councillors and partners to think about how
social media can help us to achieve specific outcomes, work together
better, improve public services and contribute to the aims of Kirklees
Council.
2. We use a very broad definition of social media.
3. Our guidelines are available online…
…so everyone can find out what we’re doing.
http://socialmedia.kirklees.gov.uk

4. We’ve adopted the Young Foundation’s social media framework.

5. Case study one:
Community conversations
Changing the way we communicate
with the voluntary sector

6. Community conversations is about making it easier to share.
The site features:
• blogs and news feeds from community groups
• twitter updates from local organisations
• useful articles, videos, documents etc.
• comments and questions
Much of the content is updated automatically, using RSS feeds.
www.communitykirklees.org.uk

8. Content feeds in from other sites - groups can quickly see what each other are doing.

9. Community groups and staff who support the voluntary sector can
post their own articles, so everyone can share what they know.

11. Anyone can comment on any article…

12. and there are lots of ways to share…

13. Knowing what’s already out there is important…

14. #kirkcommunity – 97 community twitter feeds from the Kirklees area, and counting…

15. Blogs and news feeds from 60 local community groups, and counting.

16. We offer support - workshops and a step-by-step guide for authors...

17. A guide for community
groups and activists…
Shared Spaces:
How to use all sorts
of technology to
help get things
done in your
neighbourhood
http://www.communitykirklees.org.uk/advice/sharedspaces

18. Case study two:
Live in Kirklees
Our Facebook adventures so far…

19. www.facebook.com/liveinkirklees

20. • Why bother?
• How do you know if it’s working?
• Unknown territory
• Learn as you go along
• Be prepared for complainers and fans
• Before you start, do your research, have a look
at what other people are doing

21. I Kirklees…not
necessarily Kirklees
Council

22. Make the most of
big events
To date the Olympic Torch
Relay has been the most
popular topic on the
council’s facebook page:
•Comments
•Photos
•Videos
•Twitter very popular on
the day

23. Back Le Bid!
Keeping it current
Relating national stories to
local events
Involving people

24. • What do the people
of Kirklees want to
find out about?
• Bins, dog control,
council tax….and a
lot more besides!
• Avoid ‘council
speak’ keep it
friendly and
informal

25. Take the opportunity to share work
being carried out by the Council –
from grot busting to sandbags!

26. Become a useful source of information

27. Link to different
media:
video, audio,
TV and radio
clips, images

29. The Nitty Gritty
• Risk management
• Share ideas, thoughts, queries with colleagues
• Complete the ‘About’ section on your page
• Remember facebook users expect a quicker
response due to the nature of this type of
media.

30. Get staff on board
• Encourage staff to ‘like’ your page
• Add the facebook address to your email
signature
• Promote it via any staff newsletters/intranets
• Don’t forget all staff are part of your
community and will have networks of their
own.

31. Case study three:
Local elections
Telling the story, between us

32. Community reporting
‘Election Tales’ - residents told the story of the local
elections and encouraged more people to vote.
Joined-up approach
People could find out what was happening live,
in whatever way suited them, including:
• Twitter for up to the minute news.
• Facebook for useful links, updates and interviews.
• Feeds and widgets for people to use wherever they want.
• Kirklees website elections section, linked to everything.

33. Live election results via:
Kirklees Council web site
INtouch kirklees digital TV
INtouch mobile + smartphone apps
Twitter + Facebook
RSS + widgets
Screens in the counting venues

37. What’s important?
1. Think about sharing information, not owning it.
• Make sure people can find your content – wherever they want it.
• Put things in a format that can be reused – encourage it.
• Help others to share their content – be generous.
2. Build skills and confidence.
• Choose free and low cost tools – show people how to use them.
• Provide open guidelines – be clear about your approach.
• Value the skills and experiences that people already have.
3. Don’t forget the engagement…

38. Remember - it's the way you use it that makes it social.

39. diane.sims@kirklees.gov.uk
tanya.horan@kirklees.gov.uk
http://socialmedia.kirklees.gov.uk
www.facebook.com/liveinkirklees
@KirkleesCouncil