Connecting with your Community via Social Media

They already you!

Presentation Goal

Provide practical tips on how to use social media to connect with your community, based on what we’ve

learned at The Seattle Public Library.

Shelf Talk: The Blog for Adults

Push to Talk: The Blog for (and by) Teens

Library Catalog (BiblioCommons)

Characteristics of Social Media

OPatron-generated contentOInteractiveOPotentially global in reachODynamicOImmediate

Important question #1

What’s the purpose of your Facebook page / Twitter account /

blog, etc?

Define your goals!

Important question #2

Can you manage a social media channel like a library service?

It requires time & resources!

Why are you doing this?

Engage Build Promote

Engage!

Give people a chance to participate and offer input

OPINIONS

HUMOR

EXPERIMENT

Build!Help create community online

around books,

reading, and the library.

READER’S

ADVISORY

SUGGESTING

http://seattle.bibliocommons.com/list/show/86922331_seattle_quick_picks/89193717_the_movie_was_better_than_the_book,_part_i

BOOKLISTS

Promote!Advertise your services, staff,

programs and collections

NEWFEATURES

CONTENT

FUNDRAISING

Tips for Ideas

Get ideas from your whole staff

Borrow ideas from other libraries and organizations

Try new things!

Focus on local or world current events

Take what you’re already doing, and “facebook” it or tweet it or blog about it

Use shareable content (links, etc.)

AdministrationSupport, Problems, Growth

But what about the dude posting with the naked avatar?

Community builds, defines, and polices itself.

Negative feedback? Respond publicly

Ads/spam/attacks/profanity? Remove from wall

Off topic comments? Bury with your own comments

Problems & Solutions

Set ExpectationsWe treat our customers with respect and expect

the same in return.

Interacting with the Library Online

Process!

1. As uncomplicated as possible

2. Scalable3. Covers your bases

4. Sustainable

Tools you absolutely need

People

Guidelines

Policies

CollaborationTools

Schedule

Ideas

Process

Tips for ProcessUse tools you’ve already got; no need for fancy stuff!

Use the power of collaboration to improve writing, flesh out ideas, and assure quality.

Schedule.Schedule.Schedule.

Start with a plan and procedures that are easily expanded and document them well.

Set up a “dummy” account on facebook.

Use the “two sets of eyes” approach

Thanks for Participating!