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Adventures in Social Media. Rondi Watson WI/MN MPO/DOT/RPC Transportation Conference August 23, 2011. Adventures in Social Media. Transitioning to an Interactive Web-Based Public Outreach Strategy. Rondi Watson Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council
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Adventures in Social Media Rondi Watson WI/MN MPO/DOT/RPC Transportation ConferenceAugust 23, 2011
Adventures in Social Media Transitioning to an Interactive Web-BasedPublic Outreach Strategy Rondi Watson Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council WI/MN MPO/DOT/RPC Transportation ConferenceAugust 23, 2011
SAFETEA-LU (2005) Emphasis on: • Public Outreach
SAFETEA-LU (2005) Emphasis on: • Public Outreach • Early involvement
SAFETEA-LU (2005) Emphasis on: • Public Outreach • Early involvement • More citizen input into decision-making
SAFETEA-LU (2005) Emphasis on: • Public Outreach • Early involvement • More citizen input into decision-making • “Electronically accessible formats, including World Wide Web”
MIC Implementation Efforts www.dsmic.org website (2006)
MIC Implementation Efforts Public Involvement Plan Update (2007) • Specified outreach techniques • Public meetings
MIC Implementation Efforts Public Involvement Plan Update (2007) • Specified outreach techniques • Public meetings • Newspaper ads • Legal notices • Press releases
MIC Implementation Efforts Public Involvement Plan Update (2007) • Specified outreach techniques • Public meetings • Newspaper ads • Legal notices • Press releases • Project web pages
MIC Implementation Efforts Long Range Plan Update (2008-09) • Utilized PIP techniques • Public meetings • Project web pages
MIC Implementation Efforts Long Range Plan Update (2008-09) • Utilized PIP techniques • Public meetings • Project web pages • Online surveys • Targeted mailings
MIC Implementation Efforts Result: Limited input and public participation!
Meanwhile... Dramatic rise in social media activity
Meanwhile... Dramatic rise in social media activity • Internet-based applications that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content
Meanwhile... Dramatic rise in social media activity • Social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, YouTube)
Meanwhile... Dramatic rise in social media activity • Social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, YouTube) • Online publications (news sites, blogs, RSS feeds, email subscriptions)
Meanwhile... Dramatic rise in social media activity • Social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, YouTube) • Online publications (news sites, blogs, RSS feeds, email subscriptions) • Reader comments and user reviews
Meanwhile... Dramatic increase in utilization of online technologies • Portability (laptops, smartphones, ipads)
Meanwhile... Dramatic increase in utilization of online technologies • Portability (laptops, smartphones, ipads) • Virtual meetings & classrooms (Skype/cameras)
Meanwhile... Dramatic increase in utilization of online technologies • Portability (laptops, smartphones, ipads) • Virtual meetings & classrooms (Skype/cameras) • Online dating
Meanwhile... Dramatic increase in utilization of online technologies • Portability (laptops, smartphones, ipads) • Virtual meetings & classrooms (Skype/cameras) • Online dating • Crowdsourcing
Why Social Media? • US Internet users spend 3x more time on blogs and social networks than on email
Why Social Media? • Regardless of age, we’re social networking
Why Social Media? • 750 million active users (July 2011) • 50% of active users log in on any day • 42% of the U.S. population hasa FB account (April 2010) • Average user has 130 friends • Average user is connected to 80 community pages, groups & events • More than 30 billion pieces of content are shared each month
Why Social Media? • 107,000 active Facebook users within a 50-mile radius of Duluth-Superior • MIC planning area population of 147,000 = High local utilization
Why Social Media? • Great fit for MPOs
Why Social Media? • Great fit for MPOs • “Content is king” in the social media world – and we have lots of it
Why Social Media? • Great fit for MPOs • “Content is king” in the social media world – and we have lots of it • Our information is interesting and relevant to our local constituency
Why Social Media? • Great fit for MPOs • “Content is king” in the social media world – and we have lots of it • Our information is interesting and relevant to our local constituency • People are having more public discussions than ever before – in the virtual realm
Why Social Media? • Great fit for MPOs • “Content is king” in the social media world – and we have lots of it • Our information is interesting and relevant to our local constituency • People are having more public discussions than ever before – in the virtual realm • Opportunity for meaningful public input
Social Media Implementation We lacked experience
Social Media Implementation We lacked experience • We hired a consultant
Social Media Implementation We lacked experience • We hired a consultant Process • Contacted 6 marketing/PR firms (local)
Social Media Implementation We lacked experience • We hired a consultant Process • Contacted 6 marketing/PR firms (local) • Interviewed 3 of these
Social Media Implementation We lacked experience • We hired a consultant Process • Contacted 6 marketing/PR firms (local) • Interviewed 3 of these • Worked with MnDOT - DBE process
Social Media Implementation PureDriven (Two Harbors, MN) • Most social media experience • Interest in working with government entity • Interest in transportation (“lots of relevant content”) • Understanding of public input process
Consultant Process 6-month timeframe • April – October 2010
Consultant Process 6-month timeframe • April – October 2010 $6500 initial cost
Consultant Process 6-month timeframe • April – October 2010 $6500 initial cost • Market survey and analysis
Consultant Process 6-month timeframe • April – October 2010 $6500 initial cost • Market survey and analysis • 2 strategic planning sessions
Consultant Process 6-month timeframe • April – October 2010 $6500 initial cost • Market survey and analysis • 2 strategic planning sessions • 1 staff training session
Consultant Process 6-month timeframe • April – October 2010 $6500 initial cost • Market survey and analysis • 2 strategic planning sessions • 1 staff training session • Strategic Communications Plan
Strategic Communications Plan Employ a broad set of media formats to reach various ages and interests
Strategic Communications Plan Employ a broad set of media formats to reach various ages and interests • Utilize traditional media
Strategic Communications Plan Employ a broad set of media formats to reach various ages and interests • Utilize traditional media • Build relationships with local reporters and news outlets • Strategize about newsworthy topics • Current local media contact info
Strategic Communications Plan Employ a broad set of media formats to reach various ages and interests • Utilize traditional media • Build relationships with local reporters and news outlets • Strategize about newsworthy topics • Current local media contact info • Utilize social media