BasicGov / BLOG

Many government agencies are using online tools to improve staff productivity and services to citizens. This blog post highlights a few of the social media tools and best practices being used by government: Chatter, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube.

1. Chatter

Salesforce.com’s Chatter is useful for internal collaboration. Government agencies that use Salesforce for managing data whether for contacts or community development applications or financial processes can talk real-time using Chatter.

2. Facebook

Facebook is a good way to build an online community and keep citizens updated. Best practices are to have a person dedicated to keeping Facebook up-to-date and to respond to comments. San Francisco, California uses Facebook well http://www.facebook.com/SF?v=wall as does Town of Waxhaw, North Carolina http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waxhaw-NC/Town-of-Waxhaw/104347134162 and City of Edmonton, Alberta http://www.facebook.com/cityofedmonton

More Facebook best practices information:

• http://www.insidefacebook.com/2009/11/05/10-ways-facebook-pages-can-help-local-governments-better-serve-their-constituents/
• http://www.socialgovernment.com/2009/03/17/facebook-pages-and-government-best-practices/

3. Twitter

Twitter continues to grow in popularity and government agencies are using twitter to share information and to promote views and events.

Cities are using twitter for many communications such as: spreading the word about an upcoming city council meeting; announcing a road closure; or inviting input on a topic. Mashable.com has a list of cities on twitter http://mashable.com/twitterlists/cities/

Govtwit has a list of of government agencies and elected officials on Twitter, tracking state/local, federal, contractors, media, academics, non-profits and government outside of the U.S.

Politwitter has a list of Canadian government officials on Twitter.

Twitter best practices information:

• http://www.socialgovernment.com/2009/02/16/twitter-in-government-agencies-best-practices/

4. Linkedin

LinkedIn has over 70 million users worldwide and it continues to grow. Market Connections 2010 Social Media Study findings show that LinkedIn has emerged as the most popular social networking site (source http://washingtontechnology.com/articles/2010/07/06/amtower-july-2010-column.aspx).

Search by organization or titles. Join groups and participate in discussions.

Linkedin 101 for Government:

• http://www.slideshare.net/canada30/linkedin-101-for-government-1525078

5. YouTube

YouTube tips:

• Use a recognized, official and trademarked brand mark as your profile picture
• Claim authenticity in the information section of your profile
• Link to your .gov domain by entering into the website section of your profile
• Whenever possible, include links in video description sections to a version of video hosted on your .gov domain
• Example: This video from EPA on YouTube includes a link to a page on EPA.gov where an accessible version of the video is embedded

6. More helpful and interesting web links for social media and government

• http://www.socialgovernment.com/2009/03/17/facebook-pages-and-government-best-practices/
• http://govsocmed.blogspot.com/
• http://corporate.bangthetable.com/2010/07/06/100-ideto-help-engage-your-community-online/
• http://cpd.org.au/article/web20-tools-gov20-beginners-practical-guide

Tags: BasicGov, Chatter, e-gov, e-Government, Facebook + government, Gov 2.0, Linkedin + government, Local Government, social media + government, Twitter + government, YouTube + government