Connect.DC is a District of Columbia initiative launched in 2011 to promote digital inclusion and universal participation in technology. It uses a combination of government resources, private sector partnerships, and community outreach across three pillars of access, education, and outreach. The initiative leverages social media platforms like its website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn to interact directly with residents and spread its message. It provides tips for using social media successfully, such as maintaining consistent branding, sharing a variety of content types, and facilitating online discussions. An example success story is promoting a community event across digital channels. The presentation outlines Connect.DC's social media strategy and encourages treating online communities the same as physical neighborhoods.

1. D I G I T A L I N C L U S I O N I N I T I A V E

2. Digital Inclusion Basics:
Connect.DC and Social Media
Alex Chi
Director, Digital Inclusion Initiative
DC Office of the Chief Technology Officer
Panel Discussion: Leveraging Social Media-Leveraging the Virtual World
12th Annual Public Private Partnership Conference
June 12, 2012

3. Connect.DC is not just a government
program—it’s a movement
• Launched in Fall 2011; social media and website launched March 2012.
• Powered by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer.
• Funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, matched with
District equivalent.
• Leverage government, private sector and community resources to
promote universal participation in technology for everyone in the District.
• Three pillars of the program: Access, Education, and Outreach.

4. Principles for Social Media Success
Adapted from “The Six Essential Principles for Social Media Success in Financial Service
Firms” by actiance
The Advantages of Social Media
• Free, or relatively free.
• Interactive. Can communicate one-on-one or one-to-many.
• Immediate, direct feedback from target market.
• Adaptable. Can be readily refined.
The concept of the trusted network is one element of what
makes social media so valuable. There is a tribal aspect to social
media - we “connect” on LinkedIn, we “friend” on Facebook, we
“follow” on Twitter – we become part of a tribe.

5. Principles for Social Media Success
cont’d
The Four C’s of Social Media
CONTENT
Add to the online conversation with information that is relevant and valuable
to earn the ticket to admission into the social media inner circle.
CONVERSATION
Use the content to stimulate conversation in strategic online locations.
COMMUNITY
Develop a following of people who matter to you and your business. Once
you build a community of followers, feed that network with relevant content.
CONVERSION
Convert your followers into constituents or evangelists by engaging socially
with them online over a period of time.

6. How we use social media with our
website to connect to the virtual world
• Connect.DC.gov
• Twitter
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• SlideShare

7. Best Practices Online
• Use all channels to reinforce each other.
• Maintain a consistent brand and message on
everything.
• Put up a variety of content: photos, links to
articles, quotes, commentary, press releases, and
stories.
• Use Search Engine Optimization to direct traffic.
• Share ideas on other sites, follow other pages, request
reciprocal links.
• Keep content up to date and interesting, showcasing
your relevance and expertise.
• Evaluate, evaluate, evaluate.

8. Online Success Story:
Community Broadband Summit
• Hosted event information and registration on website.
• Sent registrants to website through Twitter and Facebook.
• Shared post-event material on Facebook and YouTube.
• Facilitated discussion on Twitter - on event day and the
weeks following.

9. Visits to website from social media
Community
Broadband Summit
Launch of website &
social media channels
Press Conference
March 15, 2012 to May 15, 2012

10. Connect.DC Subgrant Opportunities
Related to the Virtual World
• 3 to 10 Subgrants available in the coming
months
• Up to $420,000 total award
• Possible categories include
– Multimedia
– Virtual Town Square

11. Treat the virtual world as you do your
own neighborhood:
be friendly, be engaging,
and never miss an opportunity to
lend a hand.

12. Contact Information
Digital Inclusion Initiative
441 4th Street, NW, 715N
Washington, DC 20001
202-CONNECT (266-6328)
Email: Connect@DC.gov
Website: www.Connect.DC.gov
Twitter: @ConnectdotDC
Facebook: Connect.DC.gov
YouTube: ConnectdotDC