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Monday, September 28, 2009

Joining the Groundwell

I'm preparing a professional development seminar for the staff at TSTC. The purpose is to teach them how to use social media. I'm including social media do's and don'ts; using images and video (Flickr & YouTube); microblogging (Twitter and various twitter tools, i.e. Tweetchat, Tweetlater, Twitpics, Tweetdeck, Ubertwitter), social bookmarking (digg, Del.icio.us, StumbleUpon) and Blogs (Blogger, Wordpress). I'm also including social media communities (FaceBook and LinkedIn).

I have 3 1/2 hours of time. Which seems like a lot, until you take into account covering all of the above ground! My goal is to prove that social media is not a fad, show them the dos and don'ts then help them to leave set up using some of the tools. We are meeting in a computer lab so they can actually have hands on time. Those who don't have Facebook, Twitter and Linked In accounts can leave having them.

One of the things I want them to realize is how social media can be a personal tool, but it also can be a business tool to extend their work.

Ways in which social media can be an extension of a college staff member's work:
1) First and foremost a way to connect with their students, or publics served, i.e. parents, other college staff, prospective students, current students.
a. A way to invite your grounds to events... post events, invite others, track RSVPs
b. Discussion Groups
c. Sharing pictures, tagging
2) A way to listen... hear what people are saying. If you find a discussion room on a TSTC facebook page talking about "when oh when, am I going to get my financial aid refund check?" a financial aid rep can chime in and join the conversation.
3) Build your brand/gain credibility.
By being true to your brand... i.e. tech tips; expert status.
a. Asking and answering questions in LinkedIn
b. Posting blogs.
c. Bookmarking and commenting on relevant topics.
d. Microblogging about brand relevant topics.

So the question is... if you were a Nube, what would you hope to gain from such a social media seminar?

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