The document discusses the impact of social media on economic development, emphasizing strategies for integrating social media into the profession to enhance outreach and community engagement. It outlines the changing dynamics of information dissemination, the importance of defining objectives and target audiences, and provides insights into effective platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. It also highlights the necessity of measuring success through various metrics and adapting strategies accordingly.

1. 1Social Media for the Practical Economic Development ProfessionalSara Dunnigan, CEcDGreater Richmond Partnership, Inc.sdunnigan@grpva.comhttp://linkedin.com/in/sarajdunniganhttp://twitter.com/saradunniganMark J James, CEcDED Solutions, Inc. mark.james@solutionsED.comhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/edsolutionshttp://twitter.com/EcoDev

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3. 33Professional Learning Lab Affiliates

4. 1. Viewer Window2. Control Panel 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.4Kevin Stuartkstuart@blanecanada.com

5. 5About ED Solutions, Inc.ED Solutions, Inc. mission is to help economic development organizations with the effective use of technology. We provide-Web site review and analysis

6. Web redesign strategies and advisory services

7. Contact management solutions

8. A variety of other technology solutions for the profession

9. Training services to the economic development profession.

10. Web Metrics and data subscriptions through affiliated firm- www.developmentresults.com. ED Solutions, Inc. is among the most respected firms providing web site strategies to the economic development profession. ED Solutions, Inc. has worked on over 200 web projects in 30 US states, Canada and the UK. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.

11. 6About Sara DunniganSara is an economist who has developed a deep appreciation for economic development and strategic place marketing. Experience in economic research, business retention and expansion programs, business attraction initiatives, workforce development, and entrepreneurial support activities in both public and private sector organizations. Particularly interested in advancing the use of open networks and social media in economic development, workforce development and community capacity building activities to support economic growth. E-Mail - sarajdunnigan@yahoo.comLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/sarajdunniganTwitter - www.twitter.com/saradunnigan 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.

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14. 95 Ways Social Media has changed economic developmentEven less control about what’s being said about our place. The “democratization of information”Exponentially enhanced our marketing reach.Able to create communities within and between our communitiesWe can now crowd source ideas/initiativesSocial CRM and Social SEO Audiences 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.

15. Atlas Primary Research, October 2009Estate Inc., New MexicoMike Barnes Group, Inc., TexasColliers Location Agency & Incentives Practice, IndianaMcCallum Sweeney Consulting, South CarolinaKoll Development Company, TexasCB Richard Ellis, WashingtonStudley Inc., PennsylvaniaGreenfield Development Company, North CarolinaCB Richard Ellis, ArizonaThe RSH Group, CaliforniaMoran, Stahl & Boyer LLC, Florida

16. Sherwin-Williams Co., Georgia

17. Trione & Gordon/ONCOR Intl., Texas

18. Colliers International, Toronto CANADA

19. Little & Associates Architects, North Carolina

20. Palm Inc – Sunnyvale, California

21. Visa – San Francisco, California

22. Foote Consulting Group – Glendale, ArizonaSource: Atlas Advertising

23. What social networks or tools, if any, do you use?71 % use LinkedIn, and just over 50% use facebook. Source: Atlas Advertising

24. How frequently do you use each?72 % use some form of Social Media at least weekly. Source: Atlas Advertising

25. What is the applicability of Twitter to your profession?63.6% say Twitter has no/very little applicability to the site selection profession. Source: Atlas Advertising

26. What is the applicability of LinkedIn to your profession?52.6% say LinkedIn has good application to the site selection profession. Source: Atlas Advertising

27. What is the applicability of LinkedIn to your profession?“I have used it along with Hoovers to check who is LinkedIn and contact people for business meetings.” “I think it has good application. I have gotten proposals through this tool.”“Pretty low rated.”“It’s okay.”“I already have the contacts I need in my email – how is this different?”“Not much”“Good for seeking independent information.” “Good for finding contacts, and to keep in touch with peers.”“More of a business site”Useful networking toolDon’t know yet.Source: Atlas Advertising

28. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.16What does all this say to the practical economic development professional?Just say no

29. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.17What does all this say to the practical economic development professional?

30. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.18What does all this say to the practical economic development professional?Depending on organization, a reasonable inclusion of SOME social media applications

31. The Practical ED’r Starts with a Social Media Strategy19Consider-ObjectivesIdentify your audience-key leaders, stakeholders, etc.What calls to action will you use?Identify some benchmarksKeyword/SEO analysisHow Will You Measure Success?VisitsFollowersReturn on conversation?(Last) Best Tools for You

32. Some Typical ED GoalsBrand awarenessProgram/practitionercredibilityDrive traffic to webCreate communityConnect resourcesLead development

33. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.21What’s Yours?

34. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.22Social Media Integration

35. Websites have a crucial new roleOld view: DestinationNew view:Content EngineSource: Mark W. Schaefer Slideshare- http://www.slideshare.net/Rialta/social-media-best-practices-for-economic-development

36. 24Our web sites need to be aboutCOMMUNICATION,not marketing 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.

37. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.25Indypartnership.comaddthis.comorsharethis.com

38. 26SEO & SMOSocial media optimization (SMO) is a set of methods for generating publicity through social media, online communities and community websites. Methods of SMO include adding RSS feeds, social news buttons, blogging, and incorporating third-party community functionalities like images and videos. Social media optimization is related to search engine marketing, but differs in several ways, primarily the focus on driving traffic from sources other than search engines, though improved search ranking is also a benefit of successful SMO.

39. 276Deeper DiveFacebookLinkedInFlickrSlideshareYouTubeTwitter 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.

40. Using Facebook – WHY?500 million active users50% of active users log on EVERYDAY>5 Billion Pieces of Content>1.5 Local Business Have PagesIt’s International – 70% of FB users are OUTSIDE the USINFORM-INFLUENCE-ENGAGE28

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42. Using Facebook – Start SmartWho’s Your Target Audience? Prospects Existing Business InvestorsFind Your Voice Business Community StakeholderPost Current Relevant Content Use Applications to Pull Your SM together Push traffic to your website Engage your community Create “Super Fans” 30

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45. Using FacebookAnalytics and AdvertisingInsights – Detailed real-time demographicsAdvertising – VERY targeted pay-per-click schedulesLink other Fan Pages - Favorites33

46. Facebook – The Good NewsBusiness and Community Use is Growing ExponentiallyYou can separate your personal from your professional personaIt matters in SEO 34

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48. Using LinkedInFavorite SoMe tool of choice by SSC’s/BusinessesIncreasing number of toolsets for b2b and b2cIt matters in SEO 36

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50. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.38Don’t forget Keywording…

51. Building profilesEducation and expertiseClients you have worked withFull contact information Link/address to Twitter pageLink to your websiteSlideshare “Slidespace” Membership groups (groups joined)Upcoming and past eventsUpcoming sales trips (as events)39

52. Building your contact list and your connectionsInventory contacts associated with past dealsInventory industry specific contactsAs a team, set territoriesImport lists into OutlookImport contacts from Outlook into LinkedInWrite a personalized invitation – keep it simple. Send invitations to those you know well en masseWork your 1st degree connections to gain introductions to others on your list40

53. More LinkedIn TipsBuild new GROUPS and connect with GROUPSParticipate in DISCUSSIONS Build a Company Profile for your organizationFOLLOW Companies – Existing and ProspectsAsk for RECOMMENDATIONS and INTRODUCTIONSRemember – this in NOT your online Roladex. It’s your opportunity to inform, influence and ENGAGE your network. (and their friends)41

54. xobni

55. 43 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.www.waynealliance.org

56. 2010 © ED Solutions, Inc.44“Maps, maps, my project for a map!”Mark M. SweeneySenior PrincipalMcCallum Sweeney Consulting

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59. 47Where Does Twitter “Fit In”Link sharing, not trite sharingOffer twitter feeds to chamber membersSearch twitter to see if existing companies in your community are tweetingStart conversations on Twitter- e.g., does anyone know which skills their employees need and aren’t found in X.Celebrate newsworthy events

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61. OK, so let’s admit this…

62. 50A Word About FollowersIts not how many, its whoLook for people to follow who have more followers than they are followingBeware of ‘someone’ with very little followers and lots of people they are following. This = spamCheck this out-http://twittercounter.com

63. Create a Custom Background51 2009 © ED Solutions, Inc.51

64. 52How… http://www.ehow.com/how_4613303_twitter-background.htmlStep 1Create a Twitter account. If you haven’t gotten around to signing up for Twitter yet, what are you waiting for? Go to twitter.com and sign up for an account. If you need a little more help, read How to Set Up a New Twitter Account in the resources below.Step 2Decide what type of image you want to portray. Part of the difficulty in setting the correct background is deciding what you want your Twitter page design to say about you. Many folks take any image or graphic and upload it to their Twitter account without much thought. Take some time to come up with something that speaks of your style, taste and personality.Step 3Consider the screen real estate. The important information to be viewed on Twitter occurs in the center of the page. No matter how many images or sayings you have on your background, the center of the screen belongs to Twitter. Therefore you have to create a background that gives Twitter center stage.Step 4Go large. Larger images and/or graphics reduce the necessity for tiling an image. It gives the appearance of one large background specifically made for Twitter. Try starting with an image as large as 1600 x 1200.

65. 53How…Step 5Remember that all screen resolutions are not the same. The smaller the screen resolution, the lower the likelihood of your image will have to repeat. In other words, if you elect to use an image that has a flower located to the extreme left of the screen, on a lower resolution screen (800 x 600 for instance), the flower displays once. A screen with a resolution of say 2048 x 1536, the flower will display tiled on the screen several times.Step 6Think about using a border. When creating an image, remember that a small portion of the top of the screen is dedicated to the Twitter logo and user navigation. It’s a little easier on the eyes if the design included a boarder over which the Twitter logo and navigation could sit without having to fight against a busy background.Step 7Upload your image to Twitter. Once you’ve played around with the image, upload it to Twitter to see how it looks. Log onto your account. Click “Design” found under the “Settings” tab. Once on the design screen click “change background image.” Once you upload your image, check it out to see if you like it. If you don’t you can change it or use one of the Twitter default images until you come up with something you like.

66. Top 21 Twitter Apps.Twitpic 1,236,828Tweetdeck 285,864Digsby 233,472 Twittercounter 212,200Twitterfeed 149,812 Twitterholic 147,164 Twhirl 143,333 Twitturly 88,793Twtpoll 74,154 10Retweetist 60,051Tweepler 51,304Hellotxt 45,754 Twitdom 45,411 Tweetscan 44,463Tweetburner 41,754Tweetvisor 31,621Twittervision 30,708Twitterfall 29,592 Monitter 25,433 Twibs 17,168 Twistori 16,229 Twitbin 14,986 http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/the-top-20-twitter-applications/54

67. Consider a profile on…

68. www.tinytwitter.com56

69. 57Why is 120 the New 140?Retweets!RT@ecodev....

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71. Use of online video sharing sites has doubled since 2006Who WatchesGains across all age groups: 90% 18-29

72. 67% 30-49

73. 41% 50-64

74. 27% 65+Balanced by income/educationWireless connectivity is a big driver13 hours uploaded every minute65,000 videos uploaded per daySource: Pew Institute

75. Using YouTube60

76. Develop a video strategyInventory the assets you have Categorize them by audienceIdentify your communications needs, and plot how video could help you tell your story:Virtual familiarization tours

77. Industry specific presentations

78. Expansion or relocation announcements