ObjectivesObjectives Define new and social media Define new and social media – Provide examples of the tools Friends Groups and new media Friends Groups and new media – Which tools will be the most useful to Friends Groups for reaching young, diverse audiences – Provide suggestions on how to use new media to recruit new members – How to use the tools to compliment USFWSs usage – How to use new media to better engage the public with the refuge

But Why? Why is using social media useful for your Friends Group? Does it really help you reach a broader, more diverse audience than traditional methods like pamphlets and a simple website? Will it help you connect with the next generation of conservation- minded individuals? Ok, maybe were space-minded, but we are The Next Generation!

The Statistics Say It All 8% of teens use Twitter 8% of teens use Twitter 38% of teens share content online 38% of teens share content online 73% of adult profile owners use Facebook 73% of adult profile owners use Facebook 175 million people use Facebook every day 175 million people use Facebook every day YouTube has over 100 million viewers in the U.S. YouTube has over 100 million viewers in the U.S. Men, women, whites, African- Americans, and Hispanics are all equally likely to use social networks Men, women, whites, African- Americans, and Hispanics are all equally likely to use social networks Stats from Pew Internet & American Life Project

Textbook Definition of New and Social Media New media is used to educate, organize, share, communicate, coalition build, and as an alternative to traditional print and broadcast news media. - Wikipedia A group of internet-based applications … that allow the creation and exchange of user- generated content. - Andreas Kaplan, Michael Haenlein

Lets Make this Simple! Facilitate communication Facilitate communication Online Online Interactive Interactive Customize, personalize Customize, personalize Reactive Reactive Always fresh Always fresh New media is so fresh!

Not All Tools are Created Equal Different social media tools were created for different reasons Different social media tools were created for different reasons Some may work better for growing your Friends Group than others Some may work better for growing your Friends Group than others But which ones? And how? But which ones? And how? Think about what you want to accomplish first, then choose the proper social media tool. You wont accomplish your goals if you dont start in the right places!

The Usual Suspects Twitter Facebook Flickr YouTube Constant Contact iTunes

FacebookFacebook Whos the popular-est of them all? Whos the popular-est of them all? – #1 social network in the world since August 2008 – Coincidence? Facebook started out as a popularity contest! Its not about agencies, places, or things. Its about people. Its not about agencies, places, or things. Its about people. – You cannot manipulate the medium to serve your purposes. You serve its purposes. Connecting, gossiping, stalking Connecting, gossiping, stalking Making yourself look good Making yourself look good So how can your FG use Facebook?

FacebookFacebook Create a Facebook group for your Friends Group Create a Facebook group for your Friends Group – Facilitate discussion, sharing, and create a sense of community Post photos from FG sponsored events to your profile Post photos from FG sponsored events to your profile – Embed links to your FG page in the caption Create Facebook events for refuge events Create Facebook events for refuge events – Invite family and friends, and tell them to bring others! USFWS on Facebook USFWS on Facebook

TwitterTwitter Broadcasting tool Broadcasting tool – Lots and lots of links – Very broad audience – Daily updates required to be successful – Funnel for lots of information – Large scale – Ideal for general information USFWS Twitter usage USFWS Twitter usage Not recommended for FGs Not recommended for FGs

FlickrFlickr Community for photo- sharing Community for photo- sharing – Free or $25/yr for unlimited space – Connect with nature photographers Network Network – Promote the refuge or your Group events – Easy to use, easy to maintain

USFWS Flickr Usage USFWS accounts upload photos taken by employees on refuges. They are all public domain.

Ways to Network on Flickr Join Flickr groups and network with photographers. Maybe you can generate interest in joining your FG!

YouTubeYouTube Video sharing site Video sharing site – USFWS will have official channel to upload USFWS employee generated content – Free flowing, search- based tool – Got a video? Upload it! – Can create a channel to house FG videos, or share them on your personal channel

iTunesiTunes Podcasts Podcasts – Must have an RSS feed – Good for developing a radio/video show for iPods – Best for frequently updated content

iTunesiTunes Create content that can be added to iTunes and synced on an iPod Create content that can be added to iTunes and synced on an iPod Dont need to use the iTunes Store Dont need to use the iTunes Store Create downloadable video or audio files that can be synced with an iPod, then share them with everyone you know, anywhere, any time! Create downloadable video or audio files that can be synced with an iPod, then share them with everyone you know, anywhere, any time! Tours, exhibits, interviews! Tours, exhibits, interviews!

Constant Contact Ding on the Wing

EarthcachingEarthcaching