How we created conversations using social media
Part of this blog is a follow on of conversations which took place on my blog when I recently asked the question “Social Media for Non-profits - what do you recommend?” in preparation to help David, Nick and myself to be able to collaborate and create a workshop for the UK Circuit Riders conference. In true collaborative social networking style, I asked the question, not only on my blog, but used other networks including Twitter, Facebook and Seesmic too (plus the old fashioned ‘web 0.0′ face to face with small organisations to see what their needs were!).
Using my blog and various networks was a really useful way to reach out to others and I received lots of comments and suggestions back from many people, some who I knew, and others who I had never connected with prior to this which was really exciting, getting an active global conversation taking place using a variety of media.
One example of creating conversation was the reply on Seesmic I received from Brian Rendel, based in Michigan who offered some of his ideas of what we should share in our session to help ICT development workers/circuit riders with helping them understand and join in with social media. Follow this link to see his reply …
Do feel free to comment and participate in this new blog, if you wish to write articles / posts that are relevant or submit information or links that we might have missed, do contact us!
I know it’s my hobbyhorse but… storytelling. I’d really like the techie support end of the new revolution to put some emphasis on exactly what all these new VCO 2.0s are going to say. They need to be freed up, given permission to talk like human beings again. The new tools only take them so far and unless they get the new language and those around them support them in doing that, they’ll just be churning out the same ‘messages’ and ‘comms’ they did via ol’ meeja. How about getting everyone to create a Twitter account and get them to tell a passionate, voice-driven story in 140 characters. That sharpens the creative thought process.
Comment by Paul Caplan — February 14, 2008 @ 8:45 am
Hi Paul, I’m very much with you there on that one. Although find that many people are either shy to share, or protective about their knowledge…but once they’ve had a go and reaped the benefits of new relationships and understanding of their new audience you can’t stop them!
My experiences alone of being ‘closed’ only discussing with forums and closed networks over many years now, has been turned around by being open and ‘out’ on the web. Some people especially in the rural area I am in, still find it all a bit odd that I want to openly share so much though…all I can return with is the old saying - that information gains value when shared!
And rightly too, it’s not just the tools, support in the content and how to write, engage and communicate is just as important. (I find this lots when supporting groups with their websites for example or branding design and promo literature. It’s not just the graphics, it’s what they say and how they say it is what will make it work!)
Comment by Laura — February 14, 2008 @ 9:04 am
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