This document discusses how mobile devices are increasingly being used for community engagement and outreach. It notes that by 2015, more Americans will access the internet through mobile devices than desktop computers. It encourages organizations to adopt a mobile mindset and design websites to be responsive for mobile browsing. It provides tips on using text messaging, building mobile-friendly emails, and leveraging existing mobile apps and social media to engage with communities on their phones.

1. Mobile Media Basics
for Community
Engagement
July 18, 2013
Amy Gahran
www.contentious.com
@agahran

2. bit.ly/fundingmobilepaper
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3. Amy Gahran
@agahran (Twitter &
Instagram)
amy@gahran.com
contentious.com
bit.ly/comobilelinks
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4. Links for this talk:
bit.ly/foundationmobile
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5. Do you want to reach
your community?
They’re on their
phones!

6. Mobile is everywhere!
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ACTION!

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13. Mobile is taking over
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“By 2015, more U.S. internet
users will access the Internet
through mobile devices than
through PCs or other wireline
devices.”
IDC, Nov. 2012 forecast

14. 2012: Smartphone tipping point
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15. Mobile: over 1/3 of all
digital media minutes
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18. The future is here.
It just isn’t evenly distributed yet.
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19. You don’t have time to treat
mobile as an afterthought
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20. Mobile digital divide: NIH 2010
62% of homeless youth own a cell phone.
40% have a working phone.
17% used their phone to call a case manager.
36% to call either a potential or current
employer.
51% of youth connected with home-based
peers on the phone.
41% connected to parents.
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June 2013, Pew Internet

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Do you want local people to find you?

23. Dude, where’s my community?
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24. Take out
your phones!
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25. Mobile is PERSONAL!
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26. Adopt a mobile mindset
DARE: Try using your
smartphone and/or tablet for
EVERYTHING!
...for one week.
(even just a day or two)
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28. What makes a killer mobile
project?
ASK YOUR COMMUNITY!
(well, sorta...)
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29. Local Mobile Market Research
bit.ly/localmobilesurvey
Short, easy to do: 8 questions
Foundations or grantees could use
Not demographics
Devices, access behavior
Actionable info: Which mobile channels to
use first?
25-50 every 6-12 months
Yes, mobile changes that fast
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Current trend:
Small tablets = Big deal
$329 $199 $159 !!!

31. Where to start?
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33. Problem with native apps:
You can’t link into them!
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34. Links open in
browser, even if
you have the app!
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35. Mobile-friendly website:
Core of mobile strategy
Inbound links = Engagement!
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36. Mobile-friendly
website
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39. Responsive web design
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40. Responsive site design
OaklandLocal.com
BostonGlobe.com
Qz.com
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41. Consider text alerts!
SMS text messaging is the most popular
non-voice phone activity
Works on any phone.
Use sparingly. It’s not free, and people
hate text spam.
Use a reputable SMS vendor or service.
Really: It’s not free!
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43. SMS interactivity tools
Twilio.com: SMS & voice interactivity,
customization. Huge developer community
MobileCommons.com: Includes SMS
and other tools. Comprehensive but very
pricey, intended mainly for large
orgs/projects
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44. New Idea! Text/e-mail-driven poll
to your data/report
Community Fdn. serving Boulder County: new trends
report coming out very soon
Small chunks on mobile-friendly website: linkable,
shareable
Opt-in text/e-mail: Weekly Q: What don’t you know
about Boulder County?
Links to polling tool, multiple-choice answer
Response page links to relevant page in report
mobile site.
Keep score, compare, compete.
Impatient? Slam through all Qs OKC-style!
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45. Mobile-friendly e-mail
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46. Mobile social media
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47. Mobile Web app
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49. U.S. smartphone market
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50. Native app: Voto Latino
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52. Use existing apps and services
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54. U.S. tablet market share
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55. ProPublica’s NEW iPhone/iPad magazine
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57. The future is here.
It just isn’t evenly distributed yet.
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58. Vojo.co
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59. Future of mobile?
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60. You will be assimilated
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61. Questions for you:
How comfortable are YOU with using
mobile for media, services, connection?
How about your grantees? Are they
comfortable?
How does your community use mobile?
Where is your local mobile digital divide?
What could you do next?
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62. Links for this talk:
bit.ly/foundationmobile
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