This presentation highlights some of the key considerations of social media for local government . Useful resources include details for the Victorian Government Justice Departments Social Media Policy.

1. Social media considerations for local government Susan Bentley Library & Information Services Manager

2. Social media Facebook Free online social networking tool Multimedia platform Can choose settings to be public or private Twitter Free online social networking tool 140 character posting Public Immediate

3. Where do you go online? GSC website? Email website? Chat service? Facebook is where many people go to hang out online. Go to them, hook their interest, and lead them back to the GSC website. Need to test out new media opportunities in order to stay relevant and open to new innovations

4. Promotional tool What is on the GSC website? Could also be on Facebook Announcements and photos for: Upwelling Portland Festival (on Facebook) Cultural Collection (on Facebook) Rates due?? GSC news PowerMate available for residents Meet The Mayor – Corangamite Publications for public comment L2P Program

5. Community Engagement Excellent platform for community engagement for some sections of the community Information literacy of younger generations comprehend and enjoy multimedia display of information more that complex text Avenue for feedback is immediate and could be captured in innovative ways i.e. Befriend The Mayor Recent example in USA about young man being banned from attending the school Prom

6. QLD Police during recent floods Communicate vitally important information Bypass the media as a messenger Involve the public by both listening to what they had to say and to answer their questions Monitor what the public were thinking and feeling so that they could better meet their needs Help people help themselves and their communities

8. Marketing tool Use of social media tools needs to be outlined in the broader Marketing Plan Successful use of these tools usually occurs because someone is “employed” to administer this task – “Online Communications Officer” These tools require constant attention and monitoring and a planned schedule of publication. Find a balance between too much and not enough updating posts

9. Organisations using Facebook Portland Discovery Coast Victoria Portland Seaview Portland Sporstpower Bridgewater Café Casterton Victoria Safe Harbour Program - Victoria Alcoa Portland Arts Company

10. Live video streaming Live video streaming of something i.e. interview with The Mayor Audiovisual tech set-up required Go live via Facebook and Ustream Repeat announcements for live session on Facebook and Twitter leading up to event E.g. Gary Vaynerchuk wine seller and public speaker

11. Some things to consider Organisations exist as a “page” People then choose to “like” the “page” in order to follow it Response to comments – good and bad Frequency of updates? Who is your audience? It is a worldwide platform. i.e. Portland USA;Glenelg SA Comment etiquette from all GSC staff? Department of Social Justice Social Media Policy

12. Social Media Policy video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iQLkt5CG8I

13. Some useful links Victoria Online – Social Media (list of organisations and Councils that use Facebook) http://www.vic.gov.au/social-media/facebook.html Government 2.0 Action Plan http://www.egov.vic.gov.au/victorian-government-resources/government-2-0-action-plan/government-2-0-action-plan-victoria.html So what is Government 2.0? http://www.egov.vic.gov.au/government-2-0/so-what-is-government-2-0.html

14. More info Guidance for use of social media in the Victorian public sectorhttp://www.ssa.vic.gov.au/CA2571410025903D/WebObj/PSSC_Social_Media/$File/PSSC_Social_Media.pdf Facebook Marketing Solutions Success Storieshttp://www.facebook.com/marketing?sk=app_7146470109 7 Tips to Successful Engagement on Facebookhttp://site14.fourfiveone.com/2010/12/08/7-tips-to-successful-engagement-on-facebook/ Department of Justice Social Media Policyhttp://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/justlib/DOJ+Internet/Home/About+Us/Our+Values+and+Behaviours/Social+Media+Policy/

15. More info Qld Police example webinarhttp://rodlaird.hostinguk.org/default.asp?page=1018 The benefits of social networking services literature reviewhttp://www.inspire.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/FINAL_The_Benefits_of_Social_Networking_Services_Lit_Review.pdf