Social Media ICMA September 21, 2013

Place Based Social Media-Creating the Emotional Connection, ICMA Conference, September 21, 2013

This presentation concerns the use of Social Media in cities.

`Sense of Place. Normally means emotional attachment, sends of pride.  Connection, engaged.


The types of social media and technology.  "social Media is not a fad but a new method of communication.

Some reasons to use Social Media:

    -Draws people in

    -If a resident does not participate in a decision, more likely to support it.  If participate, or even aware of it, generally do not take an extreme view either way.

   - Reach people at their level

   -Speaking to "the masses" as individuals

   -Make an emotional connection

     -Tell a story

     -Social Media speaks to all ages and groups (use different types to reach different groups.  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr etc. all each different audiences

Overall, this session presented some excellent thoughts as to how I could have (and can) approach interaction with the residents through Social Media.  It points out the importance of doing so, and especially the importance of getting thoughts and suggestions through all possible means, including social media,