Using Web 2.0 Technologies for Community Communications

What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 is a term describing the trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativityenhance creativity, information sharinginformation sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among userscollaboration among users.

YouTube Video

Communications Shift

Fundamental Shift of Power

Communications Shift

How does this apply? Citizens expect to interact with you differently Other industries are adapting based on these

changes You should too

What happened?

Impact of global economy

Knowledge-based Education counts, degrees matter Technology allows people to work anywhere; they

are choosing the cities Mobile population “Place” attracts people Young people choose where to live first, then look

for work World-wide competition for talent

Globalization

½ the World’s population is urban. Urban areas are gaining an estimated 60 million

people a year. By 2020 the benefits of globalization won’t be

global.

We know . . .

Millennials matter

Ages 24-35 Most mobile group Largest population group after Boomers “Urban Tribes” live and move together from place to

place (Paul Schutt, Issue Media Group)

Seek interesting, unique places to “stumble into fun” – cafes, arts and culture, bike paths, and informal “third places”

Communication Trends

90% of all internet users use e-mail Teens & Millennials prefer IM and/or Texts Constant state of partial attention. (TLDNR)

Millennials & Communication

How do they prefer to communicate?

37% by text messaging 26% by e-mail 19% by Social Networking IM 11% by IM 11% by Social Networking e-mail

What is Out There?

Understanding what’s availableSocial NetworkingVideos/PicturesBlogsTwitter

What’s in your “Community”?FlickrFacebookYoutubeBlogs

Examples

Adrian http://www.downtownadrian.org/

Cedar Springs Facebook http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Cedar%20Springs%2C%20MI&w=all

Holland Facebook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE0MQb0_DnU

Ypsilanti Ypsilanti Youth Empowered to Act Ypsilanti Citizen

The League Facebook Inside 208

Opportunities

A website is not enough No more information dumps Do your homework Create a conversation

• Bi-directional communication

Effective Communication

Provide Value Regular Real (honest, authentic, feels like communication)

Transparent Action-oriented

Measure EVERYTHING

How effective are your communications? How many unique web visitors do you get a month?

Communications/Web Measurement Tools Informz iContact Google Analytics

Get Started Now

Tools are less expensive• Facebook, YouTube, Flickr = Free

Technology flattens communities Events are easily organized and publicized