Snapping preparedness messaging aka SnapSleet-Safety-PIO-SM-16-001

Using SnapChat for preparedness isn’t as easy as one would think.
So here is yesterday’s snap in sleet.

Few items that I have to ponder for next time:

1. Portrait vs landscape. Since MOST of our recipients will be viewing this on a mobile platform (vertical), we should shoot the videos in portrait mode. That makes “selfie” solo production a bit more difficult. Hint: You might want to stop making fun of that selfie-stick now and get one.

2. Outside conditions (esp in our line of work) necessitates an external lav mic. I have one and I totally forgot to use it.

3. Framing needs to be assessed because the shot needs to include room for text.

4. Remembering which side is up during landscape video shooting is important. (I purposely did it so I can see if viewers rewatched the video to get the full effect). But SnapChat’s analytics don’t show amounts on segments – it only shows who has initially watched.

5. My shot list should have included various parts of the vehicle. Similar to a news package, varied backgrounds would likely keep audiences more engaged and keep their interest.

6. Filming in sleet isn’t fun. 

7. Clean your lens. A lot.

8. Turn off your engine. Ambient noise will affect your sound (esp being so close). 

9. I should have used some sort of emoticons to appeal more to a younger demographic/audience.

10. Saving the snap to YouTube (in its entirety) so that it can be used for other preparedness efforts (including separated sections).

I know the 10 items are detailed and nerdy, but as PIO or PAO or Communications Pros, I feel we should regularly share our lessons learned with others so we can all improve our tactics and deliveries.

Have a safe weekend peeps.

@rusnivek

Spelling is algorithmically important for LinkedIn-Safety-PIO-SM-15-006

15-006: Spelling is algorithmically important for LinkedIn
Agency: LinkedIn platform Topic(s):       LinkedIn, Spelling
Date: 10-30-15 Platform:       LinkedIn

I have been asked to connect with many of you on LinkedIn. However, it is worth knowing that all Fortune 500 companies use LinkedIn as a recruiting and verification tool so subsequently spelling your actual job title correctly is a good start for the automated systems to match your account.

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I get everyone is busy with lots to do. But glaring errors like this are avoidable and as a manager, drove me to reject applications citing inconsistencies in work, history, and documentation.

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Look, I don’t have the best spelling either. In fact, I’d blame some of my spelling miscues to #DYAC – but LinkedIn is NOT the place where you are allowed to make these errors.

Just think how detrimental it would be to abbreviate the word Assistant (“Asst”) and forget the “t” – dangerous especially when the HR hiring algorithm forever excludes you from all remaining searches because of vulgarity.

Important four things:

1. Spelling your job title correctly is important.

2. Correct spelling will allow more matches when companies use job algorithms.

3. If you connect, the requesting connection’s spelling error will appear on your timeline to ALL your connections.

4. Spelling errors are a reflection of your professional work.

As a Friday afternoon activity – I’m going to check my LinkedIn account for spelling errors now.

A simple but important factor to remember when using LinkedIn – a professional social media platform for your career and growth.

Time is short, so post (and spell) good stuff!

@rusnivek

Or download the one-pager: LinkedIn-spelling-keywordsearches-Safety-PIO-SM-15-006

 

Facebook looking more Twitterish or Tinderish or SnapChatish Safety-PIO-SM-15-005

15-005: Facebook looking more Twitterish or Tinderish or SnapChatish
Agency: Facebook platform Topic(s):         Facebook (personal)
Date: 10-02-15 Platform:        Facebook

A few hours ago, Facebook just rolled out a few new features you should be aware of.

First, right below your personal profile picture, you can see they have added an additional sentence so you can add a description about you.

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For this specific feature, Facebook has limited you to 101 characters, attempted imbedded emojis or other linking directives (like Twitter handles outside of Facebook world) do not work.

Why is this important? Three things:

  1. It allows Facebook to gather more information about you by allowing you to place topics that best reflect you (aka self-identified targeted words).
  2. They can use these descriptors to serve you more ads and/or grow your networks to those with similar word associations.
  3. Hyperlinks do not work in this descriptor box.

And if you think this is familiar, this description feature box parallels Twitter’s description box which is also located below your twitter name and Twitter handle.

Facebook has also added a new feature where you can add 5 additional pictures about yourself. Think of this as an enhanced profile picture. This allows you to showcase 5 different profiled images of yourself on your personal Facebook page.

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This feature obviously makes it look more Tinderish. Gawd – *swipe left* please!

Why more pictures? Better facial recognition. User contributed best profile pictures of themselves for identification.

A few days ago, Facebook crashed as they were pushing for the launch of their 360-video, but if you thought this feature could lead to a few seconds of video profile picture of yourself, you would be SnapChat correct.

Two new features on Twitter….I mean SnapChat….I mean Tinder….I mean Facebook.

You get the idea…Zuck’s blurring the lines again.

Keep your social media tools game sharp peeps!

@rusnivek

Or download the one-pager FacebookLookingMoreLike-Safety-PIO-SM-15-005

Safety-PIO-SM-15-003: More than just a link please

15-003: More than just a hyperlink please
Agency: Otsego Fire Topic(s):         Tweets and cross posting
Date: 06-26-15 Platform:        Twitter

It’s hard to find time to put effort in your 140-character tweets. However, a short description/picture will help drive more interest. Otsego Fire is clearly driving traffic to their Facebook organizational page which has some good content. But their paired cross-postings on Twitter from Facebook lacks because it looks plain and almost spammish.

Occasionally, you can post just the hyperlink, but in general, many users will want to know more about the link they are about to click through. Also a picture would help verify that the twitter account hasn’t been hacked by a bot or another nefarious group.

If the user decided to search back in the history of the account, they would see that previous posts from OFD all look similar. Nothing exciting. Remember, social media is a very visual engaging platform that should be a real-time exciting experience for the social media user. Consider posting an image to accompany your posts too.

Many PIOs believe that cross posting on various social media platforms is irresponsible.

“In my humble opinion, we talk very differently on Facebook.”

vs

“IMHO @rusnivek txt V diff on Twittr. #OMG #WTF#TRUTH”

Different platforms force you to be a better writer. Even if it’s not your own original message, craft and tailor a specific message to your audience identifying and show how it pertains to your activities. Since this tweet (and previous tweets) have no identifying descriptors, users are likely not to click on the tweeted plain link(s). Maybe retooling the tweet with: “O-Town Mud Volleyball registration is now open. Ready to get dirty? <insert FB link here>” To increase interest, I would also include this picture of the volleyball tournament with OFD’s Engine in background.

Communicating on different platforms allow us to reach different audiences. As a professional following your strategic communications plan, you owe it to your constituents to address your specific audiences on each of your identified social media platforms.

By enhancing the tweet this way:

1. Any verbiage and image in your tweet will help readers click through the link in the tweet.

2. You include your own personal message about the upcoming event.

3. You craft messages specific to your audiences on Facebook vs Twitter vs any other social media platforms.

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

To download the one-pager, click here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-003

A little Aloha in South Dakota!

Bringing a little Aloha to South Dakota – great class today at Pennington County Emergency Management Agency.


Now use your SM/PIO skills for good!

Looking forward to today’s class.

@rusnivek

Teaching in the State of Ohio EOC today

Good to have Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) Assistant Director Sima Merick and OEMA Deputy Director Russ Decker welcome our PIO/SM class today at the state EOC.

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After lunch, OEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) Jay Carey brief our attending PIOs here in the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

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Working the PIO magic!

@rusnivek

Teaching at the Hamilton County EOC aka ROC #Cinci

I had a GREAT time at the Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center aka the ROC.

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Much mahalos to Barry and his crews for the hospitality.

Looking forward to returning in about a month to debut a new FEMA project.

@rusnivek

Safety-PIO-SM 15-002: Tornado or ICBM launch? #Instagram

15-002: Tornado or ICBM launch?
Agency: ReadyOC Topic(s):         Picture and hashtag use
Date: 02-13-15 Platform:        Instagram

Pictures are such an important part of every social media post. Instagram is mainly based on pictures and hashtags to engage all users. This was evident when Orange County’s Emergency Preparedness team posted this on their Instagram feed.

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To the untrained eye, it does seem like a severe microstorm/cloud/tornado. However, the picture shows a launch of a rocket pulled from google images or desktop computer wallpaper. Furthermore, this post could also be misconstrewed as a missile/ICBM launch or an attack on US soil.

Finding original content is tough, but professionals take the time to discern the little details in the pictures to showcase the safety theme and share actionable information. It is our duty to correctly inform the public on dangers that we encounter. We also must strive to provide actionable information with our engagement digital strategies.

If ReadyOC used the correct picture of a tornado, adding safety tips to the post (like those featured below) could have enhanced their theme.

“Monitor weather reports provided by your local media. #NWS #NOAA #Tornado #Prepared2015”

or

“If there is a power outage, have extra batteries for a battery-operated radio and your cell phone including your cell phone charger #Tornado #Prepared2015”

or

“Consider buying a NOAA Weather Radio/All Hazards receiver, which receives broadcast alerts directly from the National Weather Service #NWS #Tornado #Prepared2015”

Right now, the hashtag #photography is unnecessary because it doesn’t relate to the post. Remember social media, especially Instagram, is a visual medium. Your reader’s Instagram feed space is at a premium.

By laying it out this way:

  1. The correct picture will draw readers into the picture and (possibly) click the link in the profile.
  2. You don’t cause panic by showcasing a missile launch and calling it an #emergency.
  3. You incorporate a preparedness action phrase to your audience for #tornado safety on Instagram
  4. You use Instagram’s prime digital real estate to share good hashtags to find great information.

Time is valuable, so gram good stuff.

@rusnivek

To download the one-pager, click on the link here: Safety-PIO-SM-15-002-TornadoOrICBMLaunch

 

Your social media “disclaimer” means nothing-Safety-PIO-SM-14-011

 

When you place this disclaimer on your social media pages…

“My posts here do not at all reflect the views of my employers”

********It means nothing.******

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What you do on social media reflects your employers.

Period.

@rusnivek