Angela Crocker

Write. Teach. Organize.

Political Themes in My Facebook Feed

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Last week, you may have seen my post about how the federal political parties are using social media. Today, I’m thinking about three recurring themes amongst my Facebook friends. These are:

Get Out and VOTE

I whole heartedly support this sentiment. All Canadians need to get out and exercise their democratic right to vote. This is a privilege and we shouldn’t take it for granted. Although it was created for the 2008 American presidential election, this video is still pertinent and powerful:

Women Have Voting Power

Women haven’t always been able to vote and must never forget the suffrage moment of the 1910s when women like me – wives, mothers, aunts, daughters – sought equal opportunities at the polls. This is not an issue of a century past as I recently learned that women in Switzerland only gained the right to vote in 1971 and, of course, there are women who can’t vote in many countries even today. This compelling video really struck a chord for me:

 

 

And there’s Mom the Vote, a grassroots movement to engage mother’s in conversation about voting and to raise the issues most important to parents. If you’re a parent or if you support the concerns of parents, take a moment to like the Mom the Vote Facebook page now.

GLTB Vote

The allegedly homophobic comments of Prime Minister Stephen Harper sparked a firestorm of discussion in support of the Gay, Lesbian, Transexual and Bisexual community. For me, this Liz Feldman quote sums up the reaction beautifully:

So, now I’m curious:

  • What themes are popping up in your social newsfeeds?
  • What are people saying that will change your vote?
  • What issues are most important to your community?

Let me know and don’t forget to VOTE on Monday, May 2, 2011

Ways to bring social media to a presentation

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Is public speaking part of your marketing mix? I encourage any organization with a knowledgeable, articulate team member to book at least a few engagements each year. Your spokesperson must be passionate or  funny or eloquent or all three to represent  your brand well.

Now, take each speaking engagement to the next level using social media. Here are five ways you can enhance your presentation:

  1. Give away some prizes to randomly selected tweeps onTwitter who tag you (e.g. @AngelaCrocker) in their live tweets during the event.
  2. Schedule tweets during your presentation with links related to resources you mention. For instance, if I’m talking about Evernote, the tool I use as a digital notebook, then I might pre-schedule a tweet mentioning@Evernote.
  3. If you use Powerpoint, share your slides publicly on SlideShare following your presentation so your audience can refer to them again.
  4. Share step-by-step instructions for any multi-step task by posting a how-to video on YouTube for your audience to watch when they return to their desks.
  5. Invite the audience to post any un-addressed questions on your Facebook wall. And be sure to answer them!

Of course, if you’re going to bridge your online and offline interaction with fans, it’s a good idea to make it easy for them to find you online.  Here are some great examples I received at Blogworld last fall:

Cool Swag from Blogworld

I suggest you make your giveaway something affordable and recyclable like a sticker or a business card unless you’re willing  to spend a bit more on something people will keep like the iPhone cover or light-up pen. Whatever you choose, check and double-check the type to make sure your web address is listed correctly!

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Social Media Takes Too Much Time!

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Does this sound familiar?

  • Social Media takes too much time
  • I’ve got too many things on my to-do list already.
  • I haven’t got time to waste.

A well planned social media strategy will only use a limited number of tools. Sure, you’ll have to invest a bit more time at first to set up your accounts and learn how to use them but I always advise adding one social network at a time. Once you’re up to speed a few minutes a day should be all that’s required.

During those few minutes I encourage you to make these actions your priority:

  • Check for private messages addressed to you and respond.
  • Look for mentions of your brand (@mentions on Twitter for example) and reply, as appropriate.
  • Read some of the newsfeed to keep up with what’s happening. Like, comment and retweet as you see fit.
  • Share one or two pieces of new content,  it can be referenced content or original content.

Of course, as your social graph (your community of friends, fans and followers) grows and you start to experience the value in direct interaction with prospects and customers you may want to invest more time.  This is a good thing! You want people to be interested in all you have to say and their interest gives you permission to get to know them, too.

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