If you’re living in the modern world, chances are you’ve had some experience with the various forms of social media that are prevalent today. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest are just a few of the platforms that people commonly use to convey messages, ideas, thoughts, and feelings. One of the many reasons as to why social media is so ingrained in today’s society is the fact of how easy it is to use, and how effective it is at conveying one’s thoughts. If one wants to check their facebook, all they need do is open the application on their mobile device, or go to the website on their computer.

Resources, time, and skill

In order to use social media, one must have a certain degree of computer literacy. That being said, from personal experience that requirement isn’t very onerous – even my computer-wary grandmother uses facebook! Another aspect to keep in mind is the willingness to actually use the social media in the first place. Some people may be reluctant to use online platforms due to privacy concerns.

Key Considerations

With advances in technology and the ability for general consumers to use social media, many organizations are putting efforts into their social media campaigns. It isn’t unheard of that whole occupational positions are dedicated to managing a companies social media Ìýnetwork. That being said there are a few considerations that should be taken into account when using social media. Privacy is a big concern – with everything being online it is generally a good idea to go through several layers of editing before something is posted to the public. This will ensure that sensitive information and unintentional offensive messaging isn’t being posted. Furthermore, social media may not be the vehicle warranted for your KM strategy – if something is of a sensitive nature perhaps more formal routes of KM are needed.

Incorporating social mediaÌýinto your KMb

In order to incorporate social media into your KMb you need to decide what type of message you want to disseminate and what type of medium that message would need to be in. For example, platforms such as Instagram utilize solely images. In this case perhaps infographics would be best used. If short bursts of information are needed, then Twitter is an option as it excels in piquing people’s interests quickly and effectively. If you want a platform that is able to do a bit of each of these things then perhaps initiating a facebook page for you KMb activities is warranted.

The take away

Social media is an excellent way to disseminate information as it is relatively easy to use and widely adopted by the general population. That being said, the message you are wanting to spread, and the audience you intend to target need to be taken into account when deciding to incorporate social media into you KMb activities.

Resources

Here are a list of resources if you are interested in setting up a social media platform for your KMb strategy:

• http://www.facebook.com
• http://www.instagram.com
• http://www.pinterest.com
• http://www.twitter.com

Register atÌý

In this webinar, Stephanie Butler,Ìý°äommunity Engagement Manager at the University of Guelph,Ìýwill share resources, case studies and tricks for building a social media strategy that emphasizes engagement and network-building. This session will cover strategies for setting up accounts, defining goals, planning and creating content, engaging with other institutions and users, and measuring outcomes. This is meant as a quick tour of social strategy aimed at novice to intermediate audiences. The webinar will focus primarily on Twitter, and will include both a presentation and time for questions.

This event is co-sponsored by ICES (@ICESGuelph),Ìý°äFICE (@CFICECan) and CASCL (@CSLCanada)

Presenter Bio:

Stephanie Butler is a community-focused writer and volunteer. In her position as Community Engagement Manager at the University of Guelph, she supports the University’s BetterPlanet Project campaign and works to bring the University and the City closer together. Previously, she built and executed the social media strategy for the U of G’s Alumni Affairs & Development department, where she worked with a team to plan and manage social media content. Stephanie holds a degree in Media Studies and a diploma in Journalism, earned jointly through the University of Guelph-Humber. Follow her on Twitter via @BetterPlanetUoG and @writingquirky.

Companion guide

A CFICE partner, the Institute for Community Engaged Scholarship has contributed “A Guide to Social Media for engagement and Knowledge Mobilization.ÌýÌý Wide distribution is the goal of this direct, clear, and comprehensive guide useful to those of us wanting to use social media but not sure where to start.Ìý

February 28, 2-3pm EST

Register atÌý

In this webinar, Stephanie Butler,Ìý°äommunity Engagement Manager at the University of Guelph,Ìýwill share resources, case studies and tricks for building a social media strategy that emphasizes engagement and network-building. This session will cover strategies for setting up accounts, defining goals, planning and creating content, engaging with other institutions and users, and measuring outcomes. This is meant as a quick tour of social strategy aimed at novice to intermediate audiences. The webinar will focus primarily on Twitter, and will include both a presentation and time for questions.

This event is co-sponsored by ICES (@ICESGuelph),Ìý°äFICE (@CFICECan) and CASCL (@CSLCanada)

Presenter Bio:

Stephanie Butler is a community-focused writer and volunteer. In her position as Community Engagement Manager at the University of Guelph, she supports the University’s BetterPlanet Project campaign and works to bring the University and the City closer together. Previously, she built and executed the social media strategy for the U of G’s Alumni Affairs & Development department, where she worked with a team to plan and manage social media content. Stephanie holds a degree in Media Studies and a diploma in Journalism, earned jointly through the University of Guelph-Humber. Follow her on Twitter via @BetterPlanetUoG and @writingquirky.

February 28, 2-3pm EST

(registration coming soon – email ices@uoguelph.ca with any questions)

In this webinar, Stephanie Butler,Ìý°äommunity Engagement Manager at the University of Guelph,Ìýwill share resources, case studies and tricks for building a social media strategy that emphasizes engagement and network-building. This session will cover strategies for setting up accounts, defining goals, planning and creating content, engaging with other institutions and users, and measuring outcomes. This is meant as a quick tour of social strategy aimed at novice to intermediate audiences. The webinar will focus primarily on Twitter, and will include both a presentation and time for questions.Ìý

Ìý°äo-sponsored by ICES (@ICESGuelph), CFICE @CFICECanÌýand CASCL @CSLCanada

Ìý±Ê°ù±ð²õ±ð²Ô³Ù±ð°ù Bio:

Stephanie Butler, a community-focused writer and volunteer, isÌýthe Community Engagement Manager at the University of Guelph. She supports the University’s BetterPlanet Project campaign and works to bring the University and the City closer together. Previously, she built and executed the social media strategy for the U of G’s Alumni Affairs & Development department, where she worked with a team to plan and manage social media content. Stephanie holds a degree in Media Studies and a diploma in Journalism, earned jointly through the University of Guelph-Humber. Follow her on Twitter via @BetterPlanetUoG and @writingquirky.

Ìý