Breaking news: Yik Yak is dead.
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We now return you to your local regularly scheduled, more readily used, social media platform.
Thursday fun with numerous Public Information Officers from the City of Cleveland.
Quick presentation on Tools and Social Media Platforms specifically addressing live broadcast technologies and lessons learned.
Yes, I’ll promise to show them my PIO stick (aka my GOT rod)
Great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd today.
Playing around on a new social media app called Anchor!
Basically, I think it’s a audio twitter.
Unsure on the viability of the platform yet. There might be some huge problems w/ 508 compliance and searching is going to be tough unless you get Siri to listen better and help discern specifics.
First blush? I’m not excited by it.
I know you think I like everything. But I don’t.
Anyone else on Anchor!?
I’ll keep you posted as I test and wave along.
15-004: Are you violating Facebook’s Terms of Service? | |
Agency: Various public safety agencies | Topic(s): Facebook organization page |
Date: 07-31-15 | Platform: Facebook |
Facebook has a wide audience and many public safety agencies have taken to Facebook to promote their efforts. However, many agencies have created the wrong type of account on Facebook.
By creating your agency’s page as a person on Facebook, you are violating Facebook’s terms of service. And if you are going to ask, Facebook administration has the right to immediately delete everything. Yikes.
By registering your agency as an ORGANIZATIONAL PAGE, you can take advantage of Facebook’s analytics. This information is incredibly valuable as you evaluate who, what, at what time, and most importantly the how and why they are searching/visiting your agency’s organizational page.
Facebook readily asks if you know people and displays their basic account information. Facebook’s goal is to increase your networks by showcasing people that are similar to you. If you happen to see one of your neighboring public safety agencies who may have incorrectly registered a Facebook personal account, take the time to inform them on changing their account from a personal page to an organizational page.
Likes? As an organization, can I like other pages? Yes, as an organizational page, you can like other agencies too. Through Facebook likes, you can showcase to your trusted network of similar public safety agencies.
Remember, social media is about how you can amplify your networks and positively engage your constituents. We are constantly strengthening our relationships with similar groups – all in the name of safety.
Look, we all need to be good stewards of our public safety brand. All Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) need to constantly support each other and help agencies who need some social media guidance.
By double checking your agency and your partner agencies.
Time is valuable, so post good stuff.
To download the one-pager, click on the link here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-004-PersonalOrOrganizationalOnFacebook
Breaking news…I mean Insta News.
Instagram now has a search bar function on their web platform.
This means you can search for accounts, hashtags, terms, etc….from the search bar on top of their web platform. Also makes it easier for those that serve (in an analyst role) to find stuff.
Similar functions currently do exist on Facebook and Twitter.
This is just another tool that we can use to better improve our Insta skillz. Yep, that’s your skillz with a Z.
Time is short, so Gram good stuff.
14-008: No complaining – offer solutions | |
Agency: Long Beach Fire | Topic(s): Public Perception and Solutions |
Date: Fall 2014 | Platform: Twitter |
Complaining or venting on social media is fairly common. However, as an official agency, public displays of affliction does not portray the best image. Long Beach Fire expressed some displeasure on Twitter when discussing the their pilot program.
After reading this tweet, the public’s perception is that if 9-1-1 is called, no ambulances will respond. This is irresponsible and wrong. (Almost all emergency services have mutual aid agreements or memorandum of understandings in place.)
Positioning your agency as a fear mongerer or the Harbinger of Evil will only further distance yourself from people who would be willing to help your cause. Inform them of dangers, but more importantly, engage them publically on social.
If there is internal displeasure with the new staffing models, be proactive and offer transparent solutions in the tweet. Cite websites that provide industry information. Publically share statistical data that supports changes with current programs. These online tactics will help direct and educate the general public on how to be better informed on other program and possible other options yet unexplored.
Additionally you can rally your constituents behind better initiatives by engaging with them publically via social media. It demonstrates that your department’s community involvement is a key part of a better solution.
As an official account, Twitter’s 140-character limit is really no place to moan/groan.
A more effective tweet could have read:
LBFD resources are maxed out. #Firefighters cannot provide adequate #Paramedic service to our communities. Help us find a solution <insert link here> |
By phrasing it this way:
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:
14-007: Your image on social by monitoring your name | |
Agency: Lakewood Fire | Topic(s): Monitoring your name/branding |
Date: Fall 2014 | Platform: Twitter |
Monitoring your namesake has been debated for years. But with decreased staffing and less time to do more with less, many agencies are bypassing this critical piece of community relations and image/branding. A good example is when a citizen commented on Lakewood Fire’s SUV parking.
Everyone has a camera these days. We use them not only to capture memories and precious moments, but also for documentation and shaming. I believe Todd was going for the public safety shaming factor here. I am unsure on the previous relationship between Todd and Lakewood, but there was never a response on Twitter back to Todd. Truth be told, these days, unanswered public questions are sometimes perceived as a government agency cover-ups/issues. Similar to the “No comment” – a non-response might even be worse.
How do you monitor your agency’s name or any derivatives? Try these free services: Google Alerts, search columns in TweetDeck or Hootsuite, or frequent basic vanity searches on any search engine or social media platforms.
While Todd’s use of hashtags is fairly standard social media malarkey, a swift response with a timely and direct reply to Todd’s tweet would help stop the perception that LFD is breaking the law or even setting a bad example. Remember, social media is about digital interaction.
The response could also be a teaching point so share with your audience some insight into your normal operations with a simple message on Fire Prevention activities – like hydrant testing. And using the hashtag #FirePrevention pulls up thousands of tweets about educating the public specifically in fire safety.
An effective @reply response to Todd’s tweet could have read:
@stwrs1974 During an emergency, it’s tough to find safe parking. FYI-we also check/flush hydrants twice a year too #FirePrevention |
By phrasing it this way:
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:
YourImageOnSocialByMonitoringYourName-Safety-PIO-SM-14-007
As promised, here’s my quick initial review of ello.
It’s only been a few days…so I figured since everyone isn’t on it, this might help show some of the difference between this new emerging social media platform compared to others.
Here’s a quick news package story from the founders of ello.co from Vermont.
Hot Social Network Ello Starts in Vermont
(Love the small town local news)
For those that think this is like Facebook? Nope. The company’s mantra of a simple ad-free platform is as plain jane as can be. Not much there. In fact,
Few initial notes I have on ello:
Forgot your password? I tested their forgot password send. The emailed reminder is hilarious, but NSFW. This kind of email would (obv) not pass work computer filters.
Testing browsers, I found a few interesting non-compliant issues.
Ello’s HQ sent an email last night touting their recent successes. Cool.
I do enjoy the quick simple emails with picture.
But let’s be honest, most of the ello participants that are already on ello, were drawn to the line in the email last night…”
The use of “thingy” has me worried…and of course excited. Thanks Matt.
Well, since this is in beta, I’m sure there will be more good things to come. But at this time, I am doubtful will hold (DWH).
Not even close to ready for use during disasters or emergencies.
Because of the low participation and beta, this platform is not useful for preparedness or response or recovery or intelligence.
Special thanks to @schnick for the invite.
Maybe more good stuff from ello.co on the horizon.
14-005: The wrong hashtag and checking official accounts | |
Agency: TEEX | Topic(s): Official accounts and hashtags |
Date: Fall 2014 | Platform: Twitter |
Citing the original source of information is a solid idea on Twitter. But citing the correct source with the correct Twitter handle is even more important. That’s what Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) did when they tweeted information about a gym bag/emergency preparedness kit.
The use of the wrong hashtag will drive your audience away from national trends. Remember, the general idea behind the hashtag is to help bring together trending posts especially this month because September is National Preparedness Month. My. Favorite. Month.
A quick search of “#Prepared2014” shows tens of thousands of tweets.
A search using “#BePrepared2014” yielded 13 tweets.
Those two letters really do make a difference. A big difference.
Also, when citing sources, make sure they are current agency accounts. The @readydotgov account has tweeted twice in 2014 and has 396 followers.
It also states in the description box “please follow us @Readygov”
The verified @Readygov Twitter account has 3,000 tweets with almost 90,000 followers and has been tweeting since August 2008.
No matter how good your communications plans are, your mechanical no-look cut/paste actions must be double checked every time. It takes five seconds to check. Additionally, you stand the possibility of your readers questioning the validity of your information when they see that you posted old/not used stuff.
A more effective tweet could have read:
If you can pack a gym bag, you can pack an emergency bag: ow.ly/i/4Eui3 #Prepared2014 #NatlPrep @ReadyGov @AnaheimCERT
By phrasing it this way:
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this:
TheWrongHashtagAndCheckingOfficialAccounts-Safety-PIO-SM-14-005a