Techniques
There’s no shortage of social media tools – from Pinterest to Foursquare, Google+ to Facebook – and there’s lots of inspiration on this site from others who have used them effectively. This section has some more information about how you can use these tools – and the techniques for digital engagement that go alongside them – effectively.
DFID’s top tips for a Google Hangout
Learnings from DFID on using a Google+ hangout for global video chat with a minister and others: Google Hangouts offer … Read more » – DFID’s top tips for a Google Hangout
Guide to running a Twitter Q&A in the public sector
In this guide, Alex Talbott – one of the founders of the successful weekly #nhssm Twitter chat – shares some … Read more » – Guide to running a Twitter Q&A in the public sector
A basic guide to filming, editing and sharing videos : Digital Health
A great, practical, illustrated guide from the digital communications team at the Department of Health on how to produce good … Read more » – A basic guide to filming, editing and sharing videos : Digital Health
‘Ground rules’ for digital engagement
Nick Halliday from the National Audit Office has prepared a great one-slide set of ‘Ground Rules’ for use within his … Read more » – ‘Ground rules’ for digital engagement
MRC Social Media Guidelines
Nice, succinct social media policy from the Medical Research Council, including a version of a social media response flowchart. … Read more » – MRC Social Media Guidelines
Content strategy templates: from Eduserv
Lisa Price from Eduserv shares four great templates for planning and auditing your site content: – content inventory: for keeping … Read more » – Content strategy templates: from Eduserv
Twitter toolkit
Useful set of guides and links from the digital team at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office covering tools and techniques … Read more » – Twitter toolkit
How to get started blogging: Kate Hughes
A great blog post by Kate Hughes, who works in social housing, full of practical tips about how and why … Read more » – How to get started blogging: Kate Hughes
Hyperlocal Sites in UK & Ireland :: Openly Local
Hyperlocal sites are forums and blogs run by local people which often have strong local community networks and surprisingly wide … Read more » – Hyperlocal Sites in UK & Ireland :: Openly Local
I’m a Civil Servant: Should I Post This Update?
A slightly silly ‘infographic’ style flowchart with a serious point – what are the red lines for public servants to … Read more » – I’m a Civil Servant: Should I Post This Update?
Digital Engagement Cookbook: Directory of Methods
The Digital Engagement Cookbook offers a structured directory of techniques for running digital engagement and participation projects, describing them in … Read more » – Digital Engagement Cookbook: Directory of Methods
Tackling a misinformed Facebook campaign
Back in 2009, while working for Newcastle City Council, I came across an anti-council Facebook group and took the decision … Read more » – Tackling a misinformed Facebook campaign
Public participation methods: People & Participation
People and Participation is a tool from public participation specialists Involve, which includes definitions and descriptions of a whole range … Read more » – Public participation methods: People & Participation
DFID: Tips for video production
This great guide from the Department for International Development is full of useful, practical advice on creating high quality films … Read more » – DFID: Tips for video production
Offline and online Purdah advice for local government by Walsall Council
Purdah governs the restrictions placed on public sector communications. It also governs social media. These protocols for Walsall Council have … Read more » – Offline and online Purdah advice for local government by Walsall Council
10 rules of thumb for a tweeting MP
Grant Shapps, a minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government, wrote a useful politician-to-politician guide on using Twitter … Read more » – 10 rules of thumb for a tweeting MP
A Twitter guide for senior local government officers
Forward thinking local government LGC magazine editor Emma Maier thought it was a good idea to produce a Twitter guide … Read more » – A Twitter guide for senior local government officers
What makes an effective tweet: research
Billions of tweets are sent every day. Is it all Stephen Fry talking about his breakfast? This London School of … Read more » – What makes an effective tweet: research
Recipe – how to make a social media surgery
Social Media Surgeries are a way that the digitally unconnected can become connected thanks to volunteers, time, patience and love. … Read more » – Recipe – how to make a social media surgery
Digital Diplomacy
Comprehensive guide to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s use of social media including policies, guidance and descriptive information on channels … Read more » – Digital Diplomacy
Creating a simple online dashboard
Digital Engagement specialist Dave Briggs from Kind of Digital has produced a series of video tutorials explaining how get the … Read more » – Creating a simple online dashboard
How to source Creative Commons images
Looking for good pictures in a time of shrinking budgets actually has never been easier. Creative commons is a licence … Read more » – How to source Creative Commons images
Improving visualisation: infographics and more
The Improving Data Visualisation site from OCSI (supported by CLG) is a great resource of tools, examples and ideas for … Read more » – Improving visualisation: infographics and more
Running effective webchats – DH
Advice and best practice from the Department for its staff on running webchats, based on their extensive experience using tools … Read more » – Running effective webchats – DH
Twitter Q&As by Digital Diplomacy on Prezi
The FCO Digital Diplomacy team created a short presentation of advice on how to plan for a Twitter Q&A with … Read more » – Twitter Q&As by Digital Diplomacy on Prezi
Getting started with Twitter
This simple briefing – written a few years ago by @ereuben – was designed to help a senior manager or … Read more » – Getting started with Twitter
How Yammer can help local government innovate
Yammer is an internal social network that helps you engage with staff. A giant water cooler it’s more work-focused than … Read more » – How Yammer can help local government innovate
Guide to Facebook pages for government organisations
Learning Pool have produced a useful guide to Facebook for government with strategy, advice and case studies. This is useful … Read more » – Guide to Facebook pages for government organisations
Twitter: A Quick Start Guide for People In and Around Government
Some downloads stand the test of time. This Learning Pool guide does just that and sets out in basic terms … Read more » – Twitter: A Quick Start Guide for People In and Around Government
Provider Engagement Network: BuddyPress
Building a platform to engage with people can be tricky. Here Carl Haggerty talks through a case study of how … Read more » – Provider Engagement Network: BuddyPress
Department of the Navy Guidance for Official Posts
Sometimes organisations fear using social media on security grounds. When you realise that some of the best proponents of digital … Read more » – Department of the Navy Guidance for Official Posts
How bloggers and police countered riot rumours in Wolverhampton
When the riots struck panic and rumour kicked in. While some called for the internet to be shut down others … Read more » – How bloggers and police countered riot rumours in Wolverhampton
22 Ways to Create Compelling Content When You Don’t Have a Clue
This tidy infographic sets out some good ideas on how to generate content for a blog. Aimed at the private … Read more » – 22 Ways to Create Compelling Content When You Don’t Have a Clue
Blog readership: Build and maintain an audience
Blogging can be hard work. But the rewards are there. How do you build a blog that generates interest? While … Read more » – Blog readership: Build and maintain an audience
Increasing video views
YouTube and Vimeo are great. But how often is tumbleweed blowing across that channel? This blog and case study from … Read more » – Increasing video views
Made of String » Coventry City Council’s use of Facebook
Coventry City Council has carved out a fine reputation for using Facebook. Ally Hook, who created it, sets out her … Read more » – Made of String » Coventry City Council’s use of Facebook
U.S. Army Social Media Handbook is Here!
The US military use digital channels effectively. More than a million like the US Army Facebook page and more like … Read more » – U.S. Army Social Media Handbook is Here!
Elections 2009: a post in two parts
This landmark post from Derbyshire County Council’s Sarah Lay has not dated. Setting out how she used the web and … Read more » – Elections 2009: a post in two parts
Comms Planning Pack
A communications plan is an essential tool for communications. A good one will take a long hard look at where … Read more » – Comms Planning Pack
‘Connected councillors: a guide to using social media’
A brilliant guide for politicians on how to use the social web to listen and talk to communities. Social media … Read more » – ‘Connected councillors: a guide to using social media’
Citizensheep – Manage your online reputation
How an organisation responds to online criticism is critical. This post and flowchart has stood the test of time and … Read more » – Citizensheep – Manage your online reputation
How to Deal With A Disappointed Fan of Your facebook fanpage?
At some time or another someone will hurl a half brick at your social media profile. Now what? This blog … Read more » – How to Deal With A Disappointed Fan of Your facebook fanpage?
Social care recruiting using social media
In this post, Helen Reynolds from Monmouthshire County Council describes how she helped the Children’s Services team to recruit a … Read more » – Social care recruiting using social media
Measuring digital engagement
How to go about cost benefit analysis of digital engagement. How do you evaluate the cost-benefit of the government’s digital … Read more » – Measuring digital engagement
Seven principles for digital engagement (help me please)
Emma Mulqueeny blogs about digital engagement and invites discussion on the seven principles of digital engagement laid out to her … Read more » – Seven principles for digital engagement (help me please)
The ultimate guide to Facebook fan engagement
US research based on engagement experiences from top 100 retailers. This guide contains transferable information covering topics such as the … Read more » – The ultimate guide to Facebook fan engagement
Coventry: reaping the rewards of Twitter engagement
Guardian report on Coventry City Council’s use of Twitter to engage online and the practical benefits it has brought for … Read more » – Coventry: reaping the rewards of Twitter engagement
LSE Public Policy blog – Why blog?
Interview with Patrick Dunleavy and Chris Gilson of the LSE Public Policy department on the value of blogging to their … Read more » – LSE Public Policy blog – Why blog?
Australian Government: Clean energy future
Video interview with the Senior Director of Communication from the Department of Climate Change Kate Bradstreet and the Department’s digital … Read more » – Australian Government: Clean energy future
Monitoring the online debate with a dashboard
Unless you know who is talking about you and the issues you want to know about, you can’t begin the process of engaging with them online. Read more » – Monitoring the online debate with a dashboard
Everything