Ideas Marketplace: Making Better Use of the Web and Social Media

The Challenge:

Some state FOI members do a lot with the web, some not so much.

Some use social media, others do not.

But we all recognize there is an opportunity there to connect to each other better, and connect to the communities we want to reach and serve.

So how do we get there?Connecting and Networking: Technologies for

Social Interaction and User-Generated Content

Our goal: Create a well-linked national network of state and regional FOI organizations that provide a “go-to” source of information and discussion

that builds informed members and partners for the network.

NFOIC Objectives:

Increase our digital strength to:

• Build a strong member network• Empower citizens searching for the best resources for state open government information

Do it more efficiently and proactively than we had in the past.

Task: Initiate projects to increase the value and impact of our organizations using our websites and social media solutions.

1. SEO (search engine optimization) initiative

SEO initiative to improve web performance and rankings on search engines to increase web traffic to all web sites.

2. The social media hub-and-network training and development project

• Organization Web site and content development• Use of social networks like Twitter and Facebook• An online private network for NFOIC affiliates and the national office

SEO - Audit websites to ensure there are “key words” in our content and providing links to additional resources to build a larger audience to drive back among the state sites and national organization

SEO updates…

The social media hub-and-network training and development project

Surveying the affiliate members on their existing web site and use of social media tools to connect with their members and the public and to promote their organization

Survey Highlights

• Important to have an online presence. The challenge: resources• Web site is a resource to visitors, and a way to attract new members• 1/3 have staff to manage their site; 1/3 outsource• 94% think it’s important for ongoing online collaboration between and among NFOIC and affiliate members• Key topics for collaboration:

1. Legislative/Govt issues and policies, and 2. Educating public and govt officials on FOI laws

• 97% interested in learning/contributing best practices

Identify cost-effective solutions to create or improve current web site features, functions and content

Develop cooperative ventures to utilize Twitter and Facebook to engage your state audience and build relationships.

• Tweet Chats • Use of common hashtags (#) when posting• Solutions like TweetDeck to simultaneously post • Partner with other organizations• Retweet other affiliates’ content with attribution• Online polls• Link to your web Content… Because “Content is King!”

Deployed “Yammer” as a an potential solution for a NFOIC network or community for the affiliate members

NFOIC Assistance… Discussion

How can NFOIC help?How can we help each other?