Better engagement through Facebook

How local authorities can maintain an effective presence in

social networks

@davebriggs

d@vebrig.gs

www.davepress.net

Social networks 101

Focus on Facebook

Something changed…

Why have a presence?

Be where people are

What sort of presence?

a) as an organisationb) projects and campaigns

c) as individuals

Types of presence

Profiles

T&Cs say only for real peopleNot good for organisations

Maybe for individual officers- perhaps dedicated ‘work’ profile

Groups

Best for causes and campaignsCan message up to 5,000 members

Minimal customisation

Pages

More appropriate for orgsMore flexible

Indexed by GoogleCan message all ‘fans’No limits on numbers

Some numbers

(thanks, Liz)

http://bit.ly/lgfbdata

As of January 2009, of 21 Council Facebook pages…

Average of 28 ‘fans’

Highest was Barnet with 199

Though well done Medway (97)

Lowest was 2

(and one of those was the person who set it up)

Vocabulary is an issue

Profiles are for ‘friends’Groups are for ‘members’

Pages are for ‘fans’

You really do need to market these things

(talk to Mr Canning about it)

Other people will be talking about your stuff and there is nothing you

can do about it

2,051 members

Actually, there is something you can do…

…listen

Another way

Applications

If it’s good enough for Gordon…

Much more flexibilityNo emotional commitment

First step towards widgetisation

Summing up

Simon’s wrongI’m right

But please, think about what you are doing and why you are doing it

And tell people what you are doing!