Nompendulo Mkatshwa presents a proposed

7 benefits of using social media for government communicationsPosted November 6, 2015 by Advanced Learning institute.

https://www.aliconferences.com/social-media-for-government-communications/

Or Visit https://www.slideshare.net/gordonbonnar/leveraging-social-media-for-government-communication-1380780

“Government agencies at the local, state, and national level are

finding new and innovative ways to leverage social platforms as a

low-cost and effective communication tool. While there can be

challenges, there are also undeniable benefits of using social media

for government outreach and citizen engagement.

Before you remove ‘social media’ from your ongoing

communications strategy, consider these 7 benefits of social media

for government communications:”

1.Expand your reach

It’s a basic concept to most communicators: go where your audience is spending their

time. By providing an active hub of information and conversation on your social media

profiles, you are widening your reach and allowing your citizens to engage with you in a

way that might be more convenient for them.

2.Channel for real-time data collection

Social media is an effective way to crowdsource information and feedback. Collect data

and insights from your followers that can be compiled and analyzed to give directional

insights. Consider posting polls and survey questions, hosting a Twitter chat, or launching an

interactive online program aimed at encouraging citizens to give input on various topics or

initiatives.

3.Transform public perception and maximize awareness of agency goals

If you asked the citizens you serve, would they say your agency is behind the times? Would

they say your agency is transparent and honest? Would they even know what your

agency’s mission and current initiatives are? Utilize social media as an innovative way to

maximize awareness and citizen engagement. By keeping up with trends in digital

engagement, government communicators and public affairs professionals can help

transform public perception of the agency.

4.Drive citizen engagement with limited resources and budget

Social media is an efficient and low-cost distribution channel. Driving true citizen engagement is more

than just deploying information; it’s about creating a two-way dialogue and generating awareness and

support of your agency’s initiatives. Social media is a fantastic platform for hosting relevant content,

engaging discussion, and soliciting feedback from those your agency serves.

5.Test your messaging and analyze results

Get real-time insights into what information your citizens are interested in, where/on what platform they

are most likely to consume that information, and what’s the best way to say it in order for the call-to-

action to resonate with your citizens.

6.Improve your services and customer experience

It’s important to recognize all feedback, even if it’s negative, as a way to improve services. In most

cases, if you ask, your citizens will tell you exactly what it is they want, need, and expect from you.

Leverage your social profiles as a way to interact with them and communicate directly with them.

7.Become more authentic and transparent

Authenticity and transparency is valued by your target audience, regardless of who they are. While

there will of course be some exceptions to the rule, putting a focus on transparency in all government

communications is an effective way of gaining the trust of citizens. And when citizens trust you, they

come to you for information.

http://www.dirco.gov.za/Abidjan/

South African Embassy, Abidjan (CI)

@SAEmbassy_CI

@SAEmbassy_CI

HOW?• The website

(http://www.dirco.gov.za/Abidjan) should play as the main source of information that feeds into all other channels.

• However due to time and the urgency to release information, the other channels (particularly twitter) can be used to release information first, then be followed by comprehensive write-ups on the website.

• There is a continuous interchangeable use of the various social media platforms.

The flow of information

• Inform public of event prior to event

- Statement/Press release on Website > Facebook > Twitter > Instagram

- Posters on all platforms

- Shorter write ups and Optics (Posters) on Twitter and Instagram

- Share link to full write up which is on the website via FB, TT, and IG

• Update public of event whilst it takes place

- Short brief information on twitter | Optics on Instagram

- Create Hashtag #NationalDayCI #DavidTlaleVisit etc.

• Report to public on how event went

- Write full statement followed by optics on website gallery, news feed, FB, TT and IG

The flow of information (continued)

• The ambassador or relevant official needs to approve all information communicated

• However the time of approval can not stifle the urgency of the information to come out, otherwise the information becomes irrelevant to the public

Titles of Platforms

http://www.dirco.gov.za/Abidjan

South African Embassy, Abidjan (CI)

@SAEmbassy_CI

South African Embassy, Abidjan (CI)

@SAEmbassy_CI

South African Embassy, Abidjan (CI)

• The website is in need of complete overhaul

• Time needs to be made for us to sit with the developers and re-design the website to create a more refreshing feel when browsing through the website.

• In a society where the use of internet is ever increasing, the aesthetic appeal of your website plays a large role in how prospective travellers view your country, its like a “SOFT POWER” of sorts.

• The structuring and display of tabs and information needs to be revisited.

http://www.dirco.gov.za/Abidjan

• The following tabs are recommended:

About Us

History of Mission

SA Mission Leaders

SA Government Leaders

Consular Services

Visa

Civic Services

Operating Hours

About SA

History

Tourism

Business and Trade

Study and Exchange

News and Events

Press Release

Speeches

News

Announcements

Gallery

SA Mission Leaders• Name and Surname

• Portfolio of Official

• Business card details

• Picture

SA Government Leaders• President

• Deputy President

• Minister of DIRCO

• Minister of Home Affairs

• Profiles, picture, office details and departmet

website links

VisaOverview (What is a Visa? Why do I need a Visa? Where do I get a visa? How much is it? How long till I get it? How long does it last?

Two links Non-Migrant Visa and Immigrant VisaUnder the two tabs we must state the type of trip (reason) that would qualify as the different types of visasThen followed by procedure, documentation needed, cost, time frames etc

HistoryLinks and images of Foundations and Organisations such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the African Union, the Adelaide and Oliver Tambo Foundation etc. can have brief write ups here.

TourismThis page can have a map of South Africa where one can click on each province and be directed to a page with information and links about the province and a link to the Dep of Tourism website.

Business and Trade This tab will take the viewer to a page on business and trade that is currently taking place between the two countries, trade and business opportunities, links to Dti website etc. and a list of South African businesses in Cote d’Ivoire.

Study and Exchange This tab will take the viewer to a page on various institutions in the country, academic exchange programs and other academic/learning opportunities. The page should also include links to the various institutions or programs.

Press ReleaseTakes you to a page where the viewer can read the ambassador or ministers statements or press releases

SpeechesTakes you to a page where the viewer can read the ambassador or minister’s speeches

NewsTakes you to a page where the viewer can view an active feed of embassy, DIRCO or SA related information about what's happening in SA or in CI.

AnnouncementsTakes you to a page where the viewer can view live feeds of administrative related

information or updates on upcoming events. E.g. Consular service updates.

GalleryTakes you to a page where the viewer can view various links sending the viewer to albums of activities of the mission.

• The facebook page is used mainly for extensive information.

• The faebook page is inclusive of written information and optics.

• The nature of the facebook page will require the mission to respond to questions viewers to the mission regarding travel etc. other responses can be provided through official statements.

For example: if someone asks about xenophobic attacks in SA. The ambassador can simply draft a statement that can be used for such questions.

• Active facebook pages include those of the New York Consulate, the Berlin Embassy and others…

• The twitter account is used mainly for relaying short messages such as announcements or living streaming a speech of an ambassador while he says his speech at an event etc.

• One can also share optics and links to information on the website

• The twitter account must be delicately used as one only has 140 characters to relate a message, therefor the crafting and tonnage of the message must be well though through.

• One is able to divide their message into various parts by placing (1) in front of the tweet.

• Hashtags (#) are also very effective in order to gain traction on twitter if advertising an event or wanting information to travel far.

• The Instagram account is simply used to share optics with a minimal caption of words.

• In order for Instagram to be effectively used officials will have to have most of their activities captured on camera in order to create content for Instagram. Thus hire someone to go around with officials and take pictures of them or simply ask a bystander to take the picture or make arrangements with media photographs present at the event.

• This is very effective for public diplomacy and narrating a story about the mission.

Where to from here:

Photo shoot of South African officials to mission

Gathering of information and content

- Official details

- Consular information

- Accurate address of mission

- Welcome statements by ambassador

- Etc.

Opening of social media accounts

Poster of social media accounts in entrance of embassy

While we wait for the complete overhaul of the official website, social media accounts must run efficiently

Begin process of overhauling website

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdkAmW93voI#action=share

https://ci.usembassy.gov/

https://www.facebook.com/SAEmbassyBerlin

https://web.facebook.com/South-African-Embassy-Japan-238954642883950/

https://web.facebook.com/South-African-Embassy-Japan-238954642883950/

http://www.dirco.gov.za/Abidjan

https://www.aliconferences.com/social-media-for-government-communications/

https://www.slideshare.net/gordonbonnar/leveraging-social-media-for-government-communication-1380780