Blogging & Social Media Essentials

Jennifer JanssenOnline Advocacy & OutreachNational Wildlife Federation

Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Restoration

2012 Conference

My Background

Your Background

• Why are you here?• Do you blog, or do you want to blog?• Are you on Facebook & Twitter?

Why Blog

• Great search engine rankings• Journalists use blogs to source stories• Makes your org “real” & relevant

Why use Facebook.

• Your friends, family, supporters, media, decision-makers staff and donors are there.

• Social media users engage deeply.

250 “Likes”55 Tweets

What Content Lives Where

Formal

Informal Right Now

3 Years from Now

When to Write a Blog Post

• Today: Conference-inspired opinion piece • Reaction to relevant & timely news• Updates or overview of policy issue• Stories from events

• What else?

When & How to Use Facebook• 3+ times per week• Comment on & share content

– Your own content: blogs, news stories, features, reports, opinions, reactions

– Share friend’s posts: allies, journalists, decision-makers, funders, supporters.

• Post strong images

How to Write a Blog Post

• Catchy & concise – Write for audience– 700 words maximum– Active voice– Your voice

• Write for the web– Clear headlines – Subheadings– Text blocks < 5 lines– Compelling photos

Facebook

When & How to Use Twitter• At least once a day• To share facts from blogs & news• When other people are (right now)

– Hashtag: #healthylakes

Twitter

Hootsuite

Outline Your Blog Post

• Think:– Who are you talking to?– What do you want them to do?

• Write:– Your headline, lede text and action

• Social media– Facebook post (post image)– Bit.ly (share shortened link)– Tweet (fact with hashtag & link)

Go!

• Will you post this blog?

• Obstacles?