Social networks provide three powerful reasons to use them: content, connections, and credibility. They allow anyone to create and share content, making information more accessible. Social networks also facilitate connections between people that can be leveraged for organizing and accomplishing goals. Additionally, the authentic voices and diverse perspectives shared on social networks can lend credibility to issues. When used strategically, social networks have the power to inform, influence, and inspire.
42. “… barriers to group action have collapsed.. ..without those barriers, we are free to explore new ways of gathering together and getting things done.”
The WI Clearinghouse brings the science of communications to organizations working to influence healthy change in their communities and states
I work with people like Harriet who are passionate about creating healthier communities. Harriet works hard Raging Grannies http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantneufeld/416296900/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathangaskin/119586908/ There is always more to do than she has time for
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ario/20732186/ Just keeping up with her email is a challenge. She has a limited budget in fact
She has to fight for every dollar she can get.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensheldon/212159782/ So when social media came along…she was excited….she heard the tools were free and easy to use and would save her time
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pablobastidas/198063594/ But….when she took at look ..this is what she saw…which left her feeling
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hecanjog/220654190/ Like this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinielsen/476326980/ And this…. So If you are as busy as Harriet…the question is
This session will take a look at how organizations are using social media/ social networks to inform, influence and inspire change
I’m going to share the three powerful reasons to use social networks…or use social networks better
If people have the information they need…when they need it…it can influence their behavior. And social technology is changing
Information/ knowledge is power…. Social technology has changed the way content is published…
It used to be that the only way to get into the news was traditional media… Only a few organizations could publish, because it was complicated and expensive…so news was limited Now newspapers quote blogs
There used to be a delay in when information got shared We can now get cutting edge information immediately
We can get information…anywhere, anytime. We can get information right when we need it
Social media is also changing who and how content is created
It .used to be a limited number of experts…now anyone can create content… And it isn’t just that any person can create content…social networks means that people can collaborate to create content
What does it mean for public health..now that we are not the sole producers of content?
Familiar with this When H1N1 was identified..there was confusion and fear. Health and Human services needed to get accurate information to as many people as possible. They needed help…so they invited the public..through a contest. The winner?
Dr Clark with his H1 N1 rap …he really is a doctor…it really is a pretty good rap and it is accurate information… Dr Clark didn’t publish new information…he took accurate information and tailored it to a specific audience He can reach people more effectively than me…that is the power of social networks
When you don’t know the answer to a question…where do you look? Google…. When people don’t know..they go online. What do they find? Anything from you and your orgranization?
Blogs are an easy, fast way to publish and share content Let’s take a look at how blogs are being used
Le’s take a look at how blogs are being use
Health in practice is an online resource center we maintain…for people working in obesity prevention, it has a blog that provides weekly updates. The advantage to a blog on your website is easy and fast to update information. This blog has multiple authors
Marathon County ( in WI) is using a blog to support mothers who are trying to quit tobacco. Because blogs are easier and faster to write…you can target a blog to a specific audience. The more tailored information is the more likely people will read it…and the more likely you are to influence behavior
I started a family blog to practice..this is me with my two sons…we blog about environmental actions we take. We made a commitment to focus on an action a month for a year…we used the blog to help hold us accountable…
An internal blog…we use this to share what we are learning within the WCH…so this is just our staff. One organic effort that has emerged is video book reviews
This is one of my favorite blogs…she has added value for me for four years… This is professional dev for me I don’t’ always keep up with reading but search when I need info She models sharing what she is learning …reflective practice…and open sharing She is a great example of creating content and sharing it for other’s to use
Easier to write and faster to read More information = more posts Less info=fewer
Blogs make it easier for readers to find information in previous posts because there is an archive. You can search by time or key word.
Newsletters send information one way..out.. Blogs can be a conversation comment or ask a question. If something isn’t clear they can ask for clarification..if they know more information or another resource..they can add it.
Content: information is power and social technology is opening new ways to create and share content. Blogs are one powerful and easy and often free tool to share content
Ever seen something like this? This is a map of a social network…it is showing how obesity spreads through social contacts..I show it to public health professionals to make the point that we are influenced by our social contacts ( this study showed that if your friends become obese..it is much more likely that you will too) http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/4/370/F1 New england journal obesity study
http://socialmarketing.blogs.com/r_craiig_lefebvres_social/2007/07/maybe-it-is-all.html Social networkins influence our behavior.. We have always had social networks Online social networks have the ability to reach much farther and much faster. If you want to influence behavior…you need to pay attention to social networks
It’s about relationships… Putnams work: bowling alone…our community connections are going away Better Together : studied communities that mobilized for change, looked for commonalities #1 relationships
Social networks are creating new ways for people to come together and get things done
We don’t depend on organizations to coordinate action anymore…networks can self organize
The story of Sameer and Vinay..both diagnosed with leukemia..both needed bone marrow transplants…very few Asians are in the bone marrow registry. Their friends formed a team…and using email, Facebook, Youtube
This was not an organization..this was a team of people who formed to help a friend How many organizations could do what they did…in the time that they did it? We have always had social networks ..but with online networks information can move faster and farther.
The most popular social network right now…let’s take a look at how it is being used.
Federal Government: Share up to date news out to the public Wall is where you share public info, people can “like” with a thumbs up, and comment and share with their networks
Local government: County public health dept Information out to the general public..they are sharing videos
Community coalition: WI obesity prevention coalition in Marathon county Keep up to date See the interaction Notice the photos..I didn’t point it out but flickr has added a square shape to their options
Non profit organizations: Online presence for policy advocacy They started separate pages for campaigns. Show support for policy work by numbers of fans and people who like this Recruit for off line aciton like speaking at hearing Consistent messages Share photos and videos
To have a conversation
To keep the conversation going after a workshop
To make it easy to get involved in a competition
Photos of people…at an event…lots of photos Org post..but most of the posts were from people: questions, thank yous,
Landing page is not their wall It integrates their social media presence
Wall Lots of likes and comments…you shouldn’t have to ask people to like you Lots of photos
If you really want to engage and influence people on Facebook…your strongest strategies will work on building relationships And let go of control? (30-70 from networked non profit)
Networked non profit Listen 30-70% Rule Beth
http://www.workingwikily.net/Working_Wikily.pdf How we share information Connect with each other Access different perspectives and expertise
The web is the great equalizer….we can hear voices we have not heard before Think of communities that you work with who are not respected, who do not have access to power of Status, education, money, connections
Laura 10 years old…25 days of giving in honor of
The story of her grandfather..and she wanted to honor his memory People all of the world are having a conversation with Laura and how she has inspired them
Asked homeless people what programs made the biggest difference in their lives MN coaltion for the homeless
Content: information is power and anyone can publish…are you? Connections: social capital..relationships are power…because connections influence behavior..and networks are self organizing Credibility: authenticity is powerful…social media makes it possible to share peoples faces and voices….we can hear people we couldn’t hear before…and telling their own story is powerful
Three ideas to get you started….listen to what your audience is doing and asking for ( on line and off)…that is your best bet for adding value. Take a look at what other organizations are doing on line..esp those that have been there awhile…check out Beth’s blog for examples for non profit examples… Try , learn , adapt…start small
This is where key points, slides and resources are available Questions
We have the tools to work better….how can we not use them?