Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Lodge Information Officers Social Media and Website

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire An overview of the LIO role An overview of social media and how make use of them as an LIO Practical support to get yourself a Provincial Website logon How to post content onto the Provincial Website Advice and guidance on Lodge website creation Agenda

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Not the secretary! (or a formal office)- LIO Job is to communicate social and Masonic news into, and out of, the Lodge (Secretary role remains as the formal linkage to Province and Grand Lodge-it was recognised they have enough to do)… Why an LIO role and why communicate? Because we are still too good at keeping our value secret-if people know more about us, we will thrive Ideally-IT literate, but basic skills only needed (e-form filling, ing, understanding what each application can/can’t do, public fora etiquette) Tools/mechanisms available-Provincial Website, , social media, Lodge Website, Press releases, Worcestershire Source, Freemasonry Today.. LIO Role-Who, Why, How

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Things to communicate from your Lodge to the outside world: Audience: Province, Other Lodges, Public, Members, Ladies, Potential candidates: Lodge ceremonies planned, special occasions eg 50 th Certificates, social happenings, charity news… Things to communicate into your own Lodge from the outside world: Audience-Lodge members, Ladies, Potential candidates: Provincial events, social and charity news or events from other Lodges, Grand Lodge items of interest… The What

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Provincial Website Get a logon, have a go-you can’t create mayhem-we moderate all content Always add a photo, logo or image Make it interesting and informative, and a contact where needed Lodge own website-a good investment, even if it remains fairly static- presented well, a good way to generate interest from candidates Social media accounts-can take some time to manage, there for those that use them already as you’ll never convert non users to them… Worcestershire Source-twice a year, needs a photo and interesting angle Considerations-1

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Press releases-needs a human interest story for the wider public, photo, and be written up well in the right format Good examples Lodge or member has formed a relationship with local charity and supports it with a donation Lodge member takes on a personal challenge and links it to Freemasonry Bad example-Lodge has a lecture (but we can’t say what as it is a secret) Use us to help you with this Photographs-always needed in the above, BUT Needs to be higher resolution (at least 1.5MB-limited for website upload to 2MB-most modern smart phones are more than adequate (if lit correctly and no shake…) Not a grinning bunch of happy people stood around a large cheque If you have a special event-consider using one of the Provincial Photographers to cover it When should you communicate? Little and often is easiest..some news better than none Considerations-2

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Provincial Website-a reformat, focusing on our three main audiences: General Public Creating an open and positive view of our organisation Potential Candidates A section to demystify our order and spell out in plain language Existing members of the Province Making it easier to find information! Slicker communications from the Province (using ‘Mailchimp’ for easier and swifter notifications to all brethren/selected groups) Online only Worcestershire Source-print and postage costs rarely covered by advertising Social Media feeds updated more regularly (Twitter, Facebook) Provincial Communications When do you want to hear from us? Monthly digest? When we feel we have something to say? What else do you want to see from Province? Futures

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Social Media

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire

Facebook: A place people go to relax and chat with friends, upload and share comments, photos and videos Twitter: short message communication tool for “tweets” 140 characters long to people who subscribe to you (followers). Facebook: A place people go to relax and chat with friends, upload and share comments, photos and videos Twitter: short message communication tool for “tweets” 140 characters long to people who subscribe to you (followers). LinkedIn: Professional social media sites, for dialog and content sharing with like minded professional individuals Pinterest: An image-centred platform for pinning and sharing “good stuff” on the internet Google+: New facebook competitor – Same casual atmosphere; Google+ Circles YouTube: Video content sharing – linked from all others Instagram. Snapchat, Reddit, StumpleUpon, Flickr, Myspace, Digg.....etc etc

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Do’s PGL/lodge WEBSITE is the primary web based communications tool Post Content that Interests Post a variety of content Relevancy and accuracy !! Remember the audience Up to date Share Do’s PGL/lodge WEBSITE is the primary web based communications tool Post Content that Interests Post a variety of content Relevancy and accuracy !! Remember the audience Up to date Share Dont’s Be out of date Be abusive Write inappropriate Masonic references Post without permission Personal vs Public ? Closed vs Open site? Dont’s Be out of date Be abusive Write inappropriate Masonic references Post without permission Personal vs Public ? Closed vs Open site?

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire PGL / Lodge WEBSITE is primary tool – use it ! Use alternatives to create awareness, but drive to above As LIO, COMMUNCIATE !