The document outlines a comprehensive online engagement strategy aimed at increasing community participation by utilizing various online tools and methods tailored to the needs of different groups. Key components include clear objectives, appropriate engagement methods, continuous feedback loops, and the importance of integrating both online and in-person activities. It emphasizes the need for planning, transparency, and adaptability throughout the engagement process to foster a sense of community and collect valuable input.

1. Online Engagement Strategy
Anthea Robinson-Shaw

2. Reach a greater proportion of your community at a time and place
that works for them and hear from the silent majority and under-
represented citizens
• Be clear on purpose of engaging your community – your objectives -
WHY
• Identify citizens to be reached online and what their needs are – WHO
• Identify the most appropriate methods for engaging different
Why go online?

5. What is stopping you from
using more tools to interact
online?

6. When do you use online engagement?

7. Forums
In person Working group
discussions
Moderatio
n
24/7
What… Safe space for the
community to
discuss, debate and
share ideas.
When… You are ready for
real time
conversations
One Tip Design questions/
FORUMS

8. Ideas
In person Brainstorming
exercise
Moderati
on
24/7
What… Engaging way to
share, discuss and
prioritize feedback
When… You need a list of
ideas and the most
popular
One Tip Ask open questions
to generate positive
IDEAS

9. Places
In person Pin a map on the
floor
Moderatio
n
24/7
What… Interactive mapping
tool to gather
feedback through
dropping pins
When… You need comments
about a specific area
One Tip Design many
markers to segment
PLACES

10. Stories
In person Discussion circle or
roundtable
Moderatio
n
24/7 (optionnal)
What… A great way to capture
the lived experiences of
your community to gain
a deeper understanding
of the reasons behind
choices.
When… You need open and
authentic contributions
One Tip Ask an engaging open
ended question – make
STORIES

11. Guestbook
In person Comments on a board
or at a mic
Moderation 24/7 (optionnal)
What… Useful for comments
only when no debate
is needed and at the
end of a consultation
to evaluate
When… You are ready to listen
but not to have a
conversation
One Tip Contributions to be
used as input in your
process
GUESTBOOK

12. Questions
In person Period of questions to a
panel
Moderation No, you answer
questions
What… Engage on challenging
topics while managing
issues and
communication risks.
When… The community has
questions about your
project
One Tip Make it clear that some
Q&A will be public on
the site
QUESTIONS

13. Polls
In person Interactive voting with
the room
Moderation No need
What… Questions to get
immediate results. A
topic-based
temperature check to
drive interest and
project participation
When… You need a to know
where the community
stands
One Tip Take a question from
your survey into the a
quick poll
POLLS

14. Surveys
In person Paper survey
Moderation No need
What… Encourage your
community to voice
their opinions using a
variety of question
types and rich media in
a guided way
When… You need specific
information
Tips - Intro text
- Pictures
- Different type of
questions
- Multiple choices
SURVEYS

15. How to get there – tips and
tricks

16. Deconstructing your survey online
Quick Poll Ideas
Survey Forum

17. Diversifying your projects
Sharing
Knowledge
Developing
Relationships
Decision Making
Survey
s
Idea
s
Question
s
Quick
Polls
Storie
s
Forum
s
Places
Guestboo
k

18. Online engagement is not only
about consultations, it’s about
building a community

19. Planning is your magic key

20. Plan Your Project
• Project information – What you
know
• Why – Who - What
• Project objectives – SMART
• Decide who you want to hear from
• Level of engagement desired
• Parameters and limitations
• Phases of your project
• Marry in person and online
activities
• Promote

21. Plan Your Process
Who’s in charge?
• Build the site
• Manage the site
• Provide images
• Answer questions and provide
feedback
• Line of approvals
• Communications / Write newsletters

22. Engage
• Conduct engagement activities
• Mid-engagement review
• Provide updates
• Adapt as required
• Promote and email participants to
invite them to participate again
• Provide feedback throughout project
• Be responsive where required
• Show appreciation
• Make outcomes easy to find

23. Report
• Collate and analyze data
• Report to decision makers
• Report to community
• Evaluate the process

24. 10 commandments of planning
1.Always take the time to think about
why, who, what
2.Engage early and regularly: report
back and launch new tools
3.Create a constant presence: launch
new projects and a diversity of
projects
4.Don’t ignore risks and perceived
risks – provide mitigation measures
and explain
5.Provide a dynamic space that
6. Go beyond surveys: offer options
for a higher engagement level
7. Plan a good marriage between
online and in-person presence;
reinforce each other
8. Tools can go the journey of the
project with a level of design
9. Plan promotion and marketing at
the beginning, during the
consultation and when you release
the results
10. Close the loop: circulate information
and say thank you

25. Thank You
Contact Us
anthea@bangthetable.com
www.bangthetable.com