Social Media for Government Professionals

Description

This in-depth 12-week course will focus on the practical and theoretical understandings of social media use in government. The curriculum is designed for government professionals who:

• Aspire to positions with a heavy social media component;
• Are new to social media and want a deep and thorough understanding of the tools; and/or
• Are given responsibility for an office’s social media strategy, activities, or training, including how to best use:
  • Social Networks like Facebook and GovLoop
  • Information Networks like Twitter and Quora
  • Blogging Platforms like Tumblr and Wordpress
  • Wiki Platforms like DokuWiki or MediaWiki
  • Ideation Platforms like IdeasWalk, Bubble Ideas, Web Storm, or IdeaScale

Format

Each 1.5 hour session includes instructor lecture, a government or industry speaker, and skills set development.

What You'll Learn

Participants will learn how to:

• Evaluate the capabilities and limitations of social media generally and within government specifically
• Access and articulate the value of social media to leadership
• Determine the best social media channels for your organization based on goals and objectives
• Create, engage, and manage online communities

Who Should Attend                           

Government professionals involved in a public outreach or citizen engagement initiative using social media.

About the Presenter

Gadi Ben-Yehuda is the Social Media Director for IBM's Center for the Business of Government. Gadi has worked on the web since 1994. He has an MFA in poetry from American University, taught writing at Howard University, and has worked in Washington, DC, for nonprofits, lobbying organizations, Fleishman-Hillard Global Communications, and Al Gore's presidential campaign.

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