This document provides an introduction to social media for councillors. It defines social media as virtual communities for sharing information. It provides statistics on social media usage in the UK and examples of hashtags. It discusses listening to conversations on social media and gives examples of councillors already active on social media. It outlines opportunities for networking and potential issues like digital footprints. Finally, it offers advice on costs, considerations, and useful accounts to follow.

1. Communications &
Marketing
Introduction to social media for Councillors
21st May 2013
Paul Greene – Senior Marketing Officer
James Ager – Social Media Officer

2. What is social media?
Social media refers
to the means of
interactions among
people in which
they create, share,
and exchange
information and
ideas in virtual
communities and
networks.

3. Hashtags
#40dollars
#Susanalbumparty

4. Social Media usage, 2013 figures
nearly 32 million users in the UK
average smartphone user checks Facebook 14 times a day!
nearly 11 million users in the UK
over the span of 16 days, the London Olympics generated 150 million
tweets!
Some statistics

5. Are you listening?
You don’t need to be a regular tweeter or
blogger to be engaged on social media.
Do you know what others are saying
about you or talking about?

6. Councillors are already listening…
@StokeParkCllr @glenchisholm @SJC_56 @JohnCook1964 @martinlcook
@julian_gibbs @Tracy4Rushmere @AdamLeeder @IpswichNeil @sandyofipswich
@sophie_meudec @KeithRawlingson @AlasdairRoss @bryony1963 @jstimson

7. Live trends

8. Networking opportunities
 Ann Kempster – Digital Communications
Manager, Cabinet Office
 Jane O’Loughlin – Digital Communications
Lead, Government Digital Service
 Antony Carpen – digital/social media
trainer, worked in DCLG for 7 years
 Mike Todman – Cabinet Office Researcher
for the East of England
 Contacts at Cambridge, Norfolk, Walsall
and Wiltshire Councils

9. When things go wrong…

10. When things go wrong…
Do you
know your
digital
footprint?

12. When things go wrong…
'Bogus' tweet briefly wipes out €105
billion of US stock market value

13. How do IBC use social media?
 To promote Council services and events
 To inform residents of offers and updates
 To share photos from different places or
events
 To respond to questions or queries asked
by residents
 To manage the reputation of the Council

14. Some examples

16. Costs

17. Things to consider
Warning
Things that you thought were private may end
up being public
You might see things on social media that you
rather wish you didn’t
Your post could be interpreted the wrong way
You wouldn’t want what you’ve posted or
uploaded to appear on the front pages of the
local press
Solution
Familiarise yourself with how the security
settings work and set them accordingly
Think carefully about which networks and
groups you join
Read what you’ve written thoroughly and
don’t post in the heat of the moment
Don’t post or upload it!

18. Useful accounts to
follow on Twitter
@allaboutipswich @ben4ipswich @Geates @greateranglia @Ip_art
@IpswichGov @ipswichbuses @IpsCentral @IpswichRegent @IpswichSpy
@ipswichstar24 @suffolkcc @SuffolkPolice @Town102 @TravelIpswich

19. Resources
Antony Carpen tutorials
http://antonycarpen.co.uk/resources/
Social media guidance for civil servants
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-media-guidance-for-civil-
servants