360DigitalInfluence

During last Wednesday’s Social Media Club of D.C.’s panel discussion about government and social media, we heard from four  experts who are leading social media initiatives within or on behalf of government agencies.

Each shared three insights, or lessons learned, that would be of use to others within government who are evaluating how best to get started in social media. Before the discussion got underway, we interviewed each panelist and asked them what they’d be sharing. Below are each of their interviews, along with quick highlights of their main points.

MIGUEL GOMEZ, AIDS.gov

1. Remember Your Target Audience!  Think about what your audience wants, and remember that you’re an expert on whatever topic you’re writing about.

2.  Embrace Training.  Be proactive about training your colleagues and leadership, and respect whatever level they’re at currently.  Bring them up to speed on relevant social media trends and tools.

3. Constantly Evaluate. Ask your colleagues and readers for input to evaluate how successful your initiatives are. Think about whether what you’re doing is making your life easier, whether you’re serving others.

JOANNE MCGOVERN, USA.gov

1. It’s Where the People Are. Get to understand social media because it’s where the people are. Much like the reason the Post Office is downtown, the government should be engaged in social media because it’s where people are and they can bring the most benefit.

2. Your Comfort Level Will Grow. The more you get involved in social media and try new things, the more comfortable you and your agency will be with Web 2.0.

3. Conversation May Lead to Program Improvements. Open up to the conversation that’s happening. The TSA Blog is a great example because they took comments from travellers to improve security at airports.

MIKE PANETTA, Grassroots Enterprises & U.S. Shadow Representative for D.C.

1. Make Smart Choices. With technology and tools  evolving so quickly, it’s best not to jump on every latest trend - but to pay attention to best practices that have been proven effective.

2.  Regulations Will Change to Allow for More Experimentation. Over time, we will begin to see changes that allow agencies to experiment with more Web 2.0 tools and technologies.

3.  Create a Strategy First. Know what your goal is for participating in social media. Know what your goals are, who your audiences are, and then develop a plan to get there that’s based on strategy.

TRACY JOHNSON, Business.gov & ENC Marketing

1. Live By Example. Use examples of what other agencies are doing to make your case. (Here’s a good list of government blogs).

2. Conversation’s Already Happening. No need to fear, since there’s already conversation happening about your agency. By participating, you have an opportunity to provide your point of view.

3. Test Now Before it Gets Mandated. In coming years, we’ll see agencies not only using social media but mandating that it be part of certain programs or outreach activities.