facebook

When I searched Facebook Pages created by and/or for Ohio cities, the most impressive Page I found was the City of Westerville.

Why is it so impressive?
Its engaging. The tone of the posts made by the City are friendly and welcoming (that is - they do not read like press releases). They read like a real person posted them, someone you'd like to chat with. Turns out, the primary admin of the City of Westerville Facebook Page is Christa Dickey, the City's Community Affairs Administrator (that is, she does PR). Yet she does not talk in PR speak on the Facebook Page. How can this be? Because she's smart. Her primary job is not social media but she did some research, used her PR savviness and came to the conclusion that a successful Facebook Page will engage current, past and potential residents.  Christa's posts are informative about the community itself, not just the city. This is important - she does not only post about trash pickup or city council meetings.

Why is the Page so active?
According to Christa its successful because the community of Westerville is engaged and active. Of course, that's her job to talk about how engaged and great the community is! From the outsider's viewpoint I'd say, yes, the community is active but its certainly easier to be engaged when the City asks your opinion, cares what you say and responds to you.

How do we know the Page is engaging?
Scroll through the City of Westerville Facebook Page and you will rarely find a post that does not have some thumbs up and or comments. All those replies are not made by the same 3 people. And, Christa replies when appropriate to posts by the Page's Fans.

What about negative posts?
Biggest concern I hear from government representatives regarding Facebook Pages is "What if we get a negative post???" According to Christa, the City of Westerville has had two negative posts. That's it? Yep.  One said Westerville has too many parks (oh, what a terrible problem) and the other was about the City's recycling program. She considers serious complaints posted to their FB Page an opportunity for customer service. She responded to both, engaged both individuals. She understands she will not win every battle and she is ok with that.

Christa's advice to municipalities setting up FB Pages:
Get the support of the city's management. The more they understand, the more supportive they will be.

Know of a municipality doing a great job with FB Pages? Please share! Would love to see it.

I was all ready for my OneWebDay (in Columbus, Ohio) presentation / discussion last week when something from underneath of my car was pulled into the wheel and I got stranded from this event I was so excited about. The one day all that can go wrong happens on "One Web Day"!

In celebration of "One Web Day" I created a blog about the topic I was going to discuss - Transitioning from Personal use to Professional Use of Facebook.

Employees beware - employers are savvier than you think
Be it for pre-employment or for making sure their companies image is being properly represented by their employees; employers have most likely checked out your web presence or, found someone else who can.

I have been contacted by large and small organizations to help with the pre-employment process. One photo, one statement or even a wall post can make a grand impact - because this (not your resume!) is their first impression of you. When an organization does not have the resources to implement "web screening" or when employers do not have a profile themselves, I have even seen cases of employers using their children's account to find you. This means if you happen to be friends with your potential new boss' kids, even if you have your profile access limited to your friends, you potential new boss could be looking at your profile!

My mother asked me to teach her how to use Facebook. My family has been encouraging her to get on Facebook for the past year. My mom is a social person. We know she'll love it. Will it confuse her sometimes? Certainly. Will she make mistakes? Certainly. Should those things keep her from using it? Certainly not. The value it will bring to her life is most definitely worth any struggles. Facebook will help her feel connected to her family members that are spread throughout the country. Facebook will be an important social outlet for her.

We all struggle with technology. For various reasons we choose to continue using it, having determined it has enough value to warrant dealing with the frustrations.

The world we live in is very much digital. We go online to pay bills, research purchases, find jobs, pay taxes, and connect to each other. Many of us (myself included) get frustrated when a task I expected to accomplish online is not possible.

What of those in our society unfamiliar with accomplishing tasks online? What of those who do not know how to complete an online job application? What of those who must use a public access computer to check their email? How are their lives impacted by lack of access to technology and/or lack of digital skills?

The digital divide is not just about individual access. Its also about businesses.  A small business that has a computer but does not understand what tools are available or how to use them, is considerably slowed down.

OneWebDay is September 22. OneWebDay provides an opportunity for communities to celebrate the power of Web for positive change. This year, OneWebDay focuses on the importance of access to fast, affordable, open Internet for all people, otherwise known as digital inclusion. OneWebDay activities are taking place all over the world.

For OneWebDay Columbus we have planned a mix of activities around both learning and giving. Focused on the idea of digital inclusion, we've recruited volunteers to teach workshops and accept technology donations. Workshops include: Intro to Ubuntu (an open source operating system), Free/low cost online applications for small businesses and Legalities of open source software.

OneWebDay Columbus is very much a community effort. Its completely supported by volunteers and small business donations. EdgeCase is covering the cost of food. FreeGeek is providing the space. ShinyDoor is coordinating the day. Assist Data Recovery will be cleaning all donated hard drives. Possitivity Green will be recycling all donated equipment that cannot be refubished. All the workshops will be taught by volunteers.

I love Columbus. I want my city to thrive. I know that for any location to thrive, we need to support each other - to teach each other, to encourage each other. Technology is an integrated, important piece of our lives - personally and professionally. For each of us to thrive, we need technology support. Gathering to teach each other and build computers for others not only spreads knowledge and resources, it also builds community.

Join us. September 22. 4:00-9:00 at FreeGeek Columbus located in the basement of Summit United Methodist Church at 82 East Sixteenth Avenue.

Bring computer equipment to donate/recycle. And attend a class. Give. And learn.

In this uncertain economy, while the financial and auto industries are headlining the news with their struggles, it’s easy to forget the entities that are feeling the last ripples of the recession. Non-profit fundraising is down, but the demand for their efforts are at their highest levels ever. I recently had the opportunity to learn about how groups like the Mid-Ohio Foodbank are innovating to find new ways to promote and increase donations to their cause.

Christina Christian, the Foodbank’s first Digital Marketing Manager, has been tasked with bringing the 30-year-old non-profit up to speed on new social networking and marketing tools. A young and energetic woman, Christina knows that these methods of interacting with the community and donors are a big part of building relationships and campaigns in the future. Her job description includes “leading the Foodbank’s on-line marketing strategy, with special emphasis on engaging ‘digital millennials’ (the 18-26 year old demographic)”. This recognition by the Mid-Ohio Foodbank that young people learn and explore their interests through social media is part of a growing trend in the non-profit sector.

The Central Ohio Down Syndrome Society, The United Way of Central Ohio, The Salvation Army and The American Red Cross all have begun using social media as an extension of their marketing and communication strategies aimed at young people. Currently, Christina is utilizing several social media tools in her efforts to keep news, events and happenings at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank up to date and relevant:
•    Facebook
•    Twitter
•    USx8, a mobile donation program
•    The organization’s website

Each of these methods has the potential to reach people that would not otherwise take notice of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s traditional marketing. As with many non-profits, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank does not have a large marketing budget, so creativity and efficiency are always a priority when devising a new initiative.

Christina says that she looks to the Austin Capital Foodbank as a model of what can be done in Columbus with social media. While the Austin Foodbank is larger then Columbus’, one of the features of social media is that it allows smaller entities, no matter the industry, to compete with the big boys without breaking the bank. With a move to a new, larger facility slated for October, Christina is hoping that the digital marketing efforts and its effects will grow proportionately. Since setting a group on Facebook, using Twitter and keeping an up-to-date blog the Foodbank’s homepage has seen a substantial increase in visits.

Christina also told me about the USx8 program that the Mid-Ohio Foodbank has initiated. The program has been aimed at young people to donate $5 to the Foodbank using their mobile phones. Texting is an easy way for people to make a contribution that they may not otherwise have time to do. Based on the way the Mid-Ohio Foodbank receives donations, cash is up to eight times as valuable to them, thus the USx8 effort. They say that donation the $5 is really worth $40 to them, which they can use to feed a family of five for an entire day. This program has real potential, and started to gain momentum in the spring.

Christina has a very unique job. She must keep up with all of the new technologies coming out and take advantage of what each has to offer. At the same time, she is still working for a non-profit that, like most, is stretched thin in terms of staff and resources. She feels lucky to be a part of an organization that sees the value of social media and has taken steps to utilize these great tools that are revolutionizing how all businesses operate. Here’s to Christina, part of the new age of advocacy!

Target Audience

• Workshop is intended for entry level social networkers. Attendees will have minimal experience with any social network. Most likely have a LinkedIn account but rarely use it. Some have Facebook accounts but those who do use Facebook do so socially, not professionally. Very few use or understand Twitter.

Guidelines