Utilizing Web 2.0 TechnologiesFor Community Communications

Rob Ferrari • Director, IT/Operations • Michigan Municipal League • rferrari@mml.org

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 creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users.

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 is Out There?

Social Networking Facebook Twitter

Videos/Pictures YouTube Flickr

Blogs

Facebook

A free-access social networking website. Users can join networks organized by city,

workplace, school and region. Statistics

More than 300 million active users 6 billion minutes are spent on FB each day More than 65 million active users access FB via their

mobile devices

Twitter

A free social networking and micro-blogging service Users send and read messages known as “tweets” Tweets are up to 140 characters Statistics

More than 21 million users Largest demographic – 45 – 54 year olds

YouTube

A video sharing website on which users can upload and share video clips.

Most of the content is user-generated and uploaded One of the most powerful marketing platforms Statistics

100 million U.S. viewers (March 2009)

Viewed 14.8 billion online videos (January 2009)

Flickr

An photo and video hosting website. Photo management and sharing application. Social Networking via photos Statistics

Hosting more than 3 billion images

Blogs

A contraction of the term “weblog” A type of website with regular entries of

commentary, descriptions of events or other material such as images and video.

Inside 208 Free Blog Sites

Blogger.com Wordpress.com LiveJournal

Mashable

The Social Media Guide The world’s largest blog focused on Web 2.0 and

Social Media news.

What’s in YOUR Community?

FlickrYouTubeFacebookTwitterBlogs

Technorati

Opportunities

A website is not enoughNo more information dumpsCreate a conversation

• Bi-directional communicationLocation, Location, Location

Communication Strategies

Multi-layered Approach• E-mail – Blogs – Audio - Video• Start Slow• Be Consistent

Effective Communication

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

Transparent Action-oriented

Get Started Now

Tools are less expensive Facebook, YouTube, Flickr = Free

Technology flattens communities Events are easily organized and publicized