Blogs – Content, Length and Time

In the spirit of updating content ready for LocalGovCamp North West this short video finds Cllr Simon Cooke explaining some of the nuts and bolts of blogging for councillors.  The footage was shot at our CllrSocMed session in Leeds earlier this year.  Simon explains that blogs are dependent on personal style and reassures councillors that it doesn’t have to be time consuming to be effective.  Simon’s style is quick and short, whilst Cllr Andrew Cooper (referred to in the video) takes a different approach.

Related posts:

• So What is a Bog?
• A Blog Won’t Do Everything
• How To Set Up A Blog
• Add a New Post and Insert an Image
• One Page Guide to Blogging with WordPress
• How to be a Lib Dem Blogger

A Blog Won’t Do Everything

At our cllrsocmed session in Leeds we got onto discussing the merits of blogs and the on-line / off-line conundrum.  In this brief video Cllr Cooke summarises the key points and gives some helpful tips on how councillors can use blogs effectively.

Cllrs and Twitter (Some Alternative Case Studies)

Cllrsocmed is all about encouraging councillors to use social media and see the benefits.  This has been the main objective of our sessions and the purpose of this site.  Nevertheless, the sessions we have run have always featured a discussion about responsible use, standards, the law and public perception.  We try to find and use positive case studies, but sometimes the “alternative” case studies that emerge demonstrate the point.  There have been two examples recently that serve as pointers for councillors in terms of what can go wrong and how the immediacy of Twitter can have repercussions.  The headlines tell the story:

• “Retard” Tweet Cllr…Could Face Hearing
• Twitter Claim Costs Cllr £53,000
• Cllr Sorry for Donkey Botherer Jibe

For every story like these it’s important to remember that councillors up and down the country are using Twitter to great effect as part of their many roles and are not getting positive headlines for it, which is a shame.  If proof is needed go check out TweetyHall.  Related posts include:

• Top Ten Twitter Tips
• One Page Guide to Twitter
• Standards for England Guide
• Some Tips on Twitter
• Angry, Drunk (er, no)
• Case Work Keeps Coming Through Thanks to Twitter

So what is a blog? (Steve Tuck explains in two minutes)

As part of the #cllrsocmed plain language and myth busting theme @steventuck explains a blog in two minutes.  This video clip was pulled together at our session in Barnsley.

Related posts:

– How to set up a blog

– Add a new post and insert an image

– Tips for councillors blogging and using Facebook

– Connected Councillors

– Blogging Quick Guide

– 10 Reasons Why Cllrs Should Use Social Media

– 1 Page Guide to Blogging with WordPress

The Internet and Social Media Explained (in 2 minutes)

I’ve blogged previously about the lack of structure to our cllrsocmed sessions – it really is a case of go with the flow and see where councillors take the discussion in order to get the most out of it.  That said every session needed some brief background that explained this whole social media thing in the context of the internet.  @steventuck is great at making the complex totally straightforward – check out this video clip of him in action at our session in Barnsley.

Cllr Mike Jordan Talks Cllrsocmed

When we did our very first cllrsocmed session in York Cllr Mike Jordan from Selby was there.  He was already a user of social media.  It was great to catch up with him again in Leeds where he played an active part in sharing his social media journey.  Follow him on Twitter  (@gtjordan) and view his blog.  He took the time to share some of his experiences and views in this video clip.

On-Line Councillor of the Year

Cllr Barber - On-Line Cllr of the Year 2011

Well, gutted as we are that our own cllrsocmed expert CllrTim Cheetham didn’t win the On-Line Councillor of the Year at the Councillor Awards, congratulations go out to Cllr James Barber.   Quote from the judges below:

“Cllr Barber’s use of online media demonstrates how councillors can engage citizens within their own space in order to make a difference in their communities. He has established a presence on a citizen-run neighbourhood website by engaging and responding positively to local people’s issues, providing information, giving responses from officers and inviting residents to submit their problems and questions to him. Cllr Barber has been cited as a pioneer in this field in research for London Councils; by offering his services in a citizen centred space.

Unlike other nominees in this category, judges really felt that Cllr Barber’s achievements stood out as being different because he has managed to assert himself on existing media that residents of his local area use – he has gone to them rather than expecting them to come to him. The judges noted that ‘if social media is about anything, it is about being where people are’ and this is an excellent example of this.”

This is another brilliant example of a councillor using social media in imaginative and effective ways to make a positive difference.

 

 

Debate? What About a Twibate Canadian Style?

As we enter the election period I thought it might be timely to share something I stumbled on a few months ago.  Through the wonderful world of Twitter I came across a tweet from Kirk Schmidt who is one of a number of folk involved in CalgaryPolitics.com.  They are:

“Bloggers, pundits, and citizens, trying to cover civic politics in a semi-organized way, to share the burden each of us thought we’d have to shoulder alone, cover the races and candidates that the mainstream media can’t or won’t, and maybe add a hint of mischief to what is typically a NOTORIOUSLY dry subject, covered in notoriously dry ways.”

I recommend a detailed look at their site – they are doing some brilliant stuff designed to facilitate interest and engagement in politics.  One specific piece of work they have initiated involves the use of Twitter for political debating purposes.  It’s called a Twibate.  Full details of the what and the how are captured by Kurt and his colleagues.  In essence –

“The Twibate is an opportunity to have the candidates online, answering questions in a debate, combined with opportunity for any follower to engage, ask follow-up questions, and learn more about the candidates in one place.  11 mayoralty candidates have Twitter so far, as do almost 30 aldermanic candidates.”

I think there might be some real opportunities here for local government in this country.  Using social media to generate interest in and engagement and dialogue with politicians has got to be something worth considering in more detail.

Cllr Simon Cooke talks Social Media

A few words from one councillor to another.  A brief video clip of Cllr Simon Cooke following the cllrsocmed session at Scunthorpe.  Follow Simon on Twitter (@simonmagus) or view his blog.