This story, by LGAQ social media officer Jacinta Wilson, is from the Feb - March Council Leader Magazine. Keep an eye out for it here or contact us if you would like to receive a hard copy.
If you would have told me a few years ago that I would be writing an article about local government social media, I would have been rather surprised. I had my sights set on a career in creative advertising with plans to produce advertisements selling commercial goods to the masses.
By chance I ended up in an internship program with Sunshine Coast Council and discovered I enjoyed promoting my community far more than any new product.
Every Queensland council plays an integral role in the lives of their communities. Each region is unique and has a story to share. What better way to do so than by ensuring your council has a proactive and engaging social media presence.
Whether you love it or hate it, social media is here to stay and only getting bigger. What was once considered a trend, is now an essential component of any business or organisation.
Councils are becoming increasingly aware of the need to have a presence in the social spaces their customers occupy in addition to the expectation that councils and their services be accessible online.
LGAQ’s recently published Digital Productivity Report shows that 57% of councils surveyed are regularly using social media with 51% of councils reporting that they have hired a dedicated specialist to manage their digital channels.
Having worked first-hand in dedicated social media roles within local government, I understand the importance of hiring someone who has specialised knowledge of how social media operates in the local government sector.
There are many things to take in account; how you deal with aggravated customers and trolls, when and how to use humour (and to what extent) and the incorporation of multimedia content.
These days, social media specialists are expected to be communication and media generalists as well.
I’m looking forward to working with councils across the state to assist them in creating unique content tailored expertly to their community.
Find me on Twitter at @jacintawils0n