Social Media 101 For Activists & Citizen Journalists
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Oh Shit! What Now? The Oh Shit! What now? Collective plans study groups, discussions, and workshops aimed at equipping folks with radical skills to share with others. For more information, visit our website: http://ohshitwhatnow.org/
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Transcript of Social Media 101 For Activists & Citizen Journalists
Oh Shit! What Now?The Oh Shit! What now? Collective plans study groups, discussions, and workshops aimed at equipping folks with radical skills to share with
others.
For more information, visit our website:http://ohshitwhatnow.org/
📷: Citizen journalists at Occupy Wall Street, December 12 2011Flickr / Jessica Lehrman, CC NC license
Social Media 101
A guide for activists and citizen journalists (that's you)
No one is in charge & we're all journalists
Leaderless movements thrive on social media
Social Media activism WORKS
Everyone is a journalist now: and that's good
Fuck neutrality, be honest about your bias
What Social Media Can Do
Raise awareness about issues
Mobilize activists and protesters
Put pressure on politicians, corps & public figures
Share breaking news & important events
Create social connections at a distance
Raise funds for movement building
Draw the attention of cops & trolls
What Social Media CAN'T Do
Create an event without IRL momentum
Substitute for meatspace networking & door knocking
Replace traditional PR & media work
Reach everyone equally
Start the revolution
📷: Social Media Monster: "Be everywhere!"Flickr / Alison Quine, CC NC ND license
You CAN'T Be Everywhere
Prioritize the best network(s) for you
Post consistently and regularly
Choose a posting schedule you'll actually keep
Set aside time to maintain your account
Interact with your followers & top accounts
Facebook, Twitter & Instagram ...Facebook:
1.86 Billion active Facebook users
Huge driver of traffic, but limited by the "Friends Wall" & algorithm
319 Million active Twitter users
Media watercooler, not limited by friend "walls"
600 Million active Instagram users
Image driven, young user base
📷: Emperor ZuckerbergSource: Flickr / Surian Soosay, CC license
Facebook sucks but you need to be thereMovements & orgs should have a Facebook page (NOT personal profile)
Facebook Groups are great for group organizing
Facebook Events for public events driven by your movement
Watch out for:
Trolls gaming the system
Online-only concern trolls
Facebook rolls over for the Feds?
The Algorithm & You👹
Hyper-shareable memes are the best
Use Facebook native video
Like & share your own stuff
Don't post on top of yourself -- space it out!
Enlist your friends
Facebook advertising?
Pros & cons of supporting an evil empire
Facebook locks you into their algorithm then you buy a key
Allows creepy targeting of your potential supporters
Get Facebook ad credit donated?
📷: Be a Twitter media monster.Source: Flickr / Rosaura Ochoa, CC license
Media Loves TwitterEveryone is a journalist ... especially on Twitter
Massive viral potential regardless of follower count
Easy way to reach celebrities, brands, politicians?
Create international solidarity & activist networks
Watch out for ...
Nazis with blue check marks
Twitter doesn't GAF about you
Swearing at celebrities & fascist rulers?
📷: Get these motherfucking hashtags off this motherfucking social network Source: Where do memes come from?
Getting viral on TwitterReach out to famous & powerful accounts (politely)
Use hashtags (responsibly)
Tweet a lot
RT yourself
Have great images (with accessible captions?)
Study your analytics
Tweet a lot
Have a personality
📷: Instagram isn't just for broadcasting your lunch.Source: The collective unconscious
Instagram is for 📷Pick your best photos
Use filters sparingly
Mostly use the Instagram square format
Post sparingly or use Instagram albums (NEW)
Use Photoshop Express or another phone-based editor
Integrate with your Facebook page for analytics
Apps: Layout, Instaweather, Boomerang, Vidstitch
Watch out for ...
Nipples
Mysterious new Facebook-style algorithm
Other Social Networks
YouTube: Still the best place to keep your videos
Cel.ly: One option for creating emergency alert network (but some $$$)
Tumblr: Viral "blog," a social aspect to your writing & posts
Wordpress: Create a stable home for your group
Snapchat: Ephemeral stories of a day's events
Nextdoor: For mobilizing your neighborhood
Social Media SecurityThe police & your "enemies" know everything you post
Create layers of security (public event, private planning)
Consider NOT using social media (then maybe do it anyway)
Keep most of your off Facebook?💩
Create anonymous accounts with a Burner phone or false identity
Don't expose activists to cops
Turn off GPS, use a VPN
Use Signal for encrypted communication
Citizen Journalism 101Put justice & movements first
If you see something, broadcast something -- get it out fast!
Develop a personality and consistent style
Create a place online for people to find you
Learn to take good photos with your equipment (practice!)
Network and become a trusted journalist in movements
Secure your devices (encrypt & lock phone, shut off/wipe on arrest)
Fundraising: Paypal, Fundrazr, Patreon
Equipment: Batteries, monopod, cords cords cords
Livestreaming BasicsFacebook LIVE is king, but consider YouTube Live, Periscope, Twitter/Instagram live?
Emergency livestreaming is OK, consistent livestreaming is better
Keep your camera steady (monopod, stabilizer, selfie-stick?)
Narrate what you see
Respect people's boundaries ("don't film me!")
... unless they are fascists
Cops will go after you first (then other journalists)
Be extra careful about WHAT you broadcast to cops
Oh Shit! What Now? is Growing Resistance
Class schedule, resources, and calendar at
http://ohshitwhatnow.org
Feedback, class ideas, or other suggestions?
Copyleft 2017 by Oh Shit! What Now? Austin.
PUBLIC DOMAIN. NO RIGHTS RESERVED.
