Our Success with Social Media

What types of Social Media do we use Social Media Twitter Facebook Website Blog

We have made real advances in our membership through the use of our Website and Social Media In 2010 our full membership had fallen to a level of about 16 with our last initiation in 2007* *That initiate is our current master We had exhausted all traditional methods of recruitment and our most common source of new members, Pinner Round Table, had closed We recognised we had to do some thing different and setup a Website in March 2010 Since 2011 we have had 18 initiates and referred 32 candidates to other Lodges

Our website was the key engine that drove this success

The website was successful because it was focused on our target audience We directed the Web content at Non-Freemasons who may want to know more about Freemasonry We itemised the costs and other information about Freemasonry and a named contact with whom they could meet and discuss their interest We were pro-active in keeping regular contact with each prospective candidate However, this isn’t enough to keep our membership engaged and the pipeline growing

We use Social Media to keep up the momentum We started a Twitter account in 2012 We have built a network of likeminded people and communicate on a regular basis We publicised our meetings, events and actively encourage engagement U.G.L.E actively encourages the use of Twitter and has approx. 6,000 followers Twitter has over 14 million users in the U.K The Twitter Pin has promoted the communication link with Freemasonry and creates a common bond whilst raising iro £2,500 to date for Masonic Charities Twitter supports our network of Lodge members and drives new people to our web site

We are also using Facebook and run a Blog Facebook has 24 million UK users and is used for general communication and interaction Any Facebook member can register to “like” a public Facebook page which subscribes them to receive any items posted Facebook is not restricted to 140 characters and can provide more information and pictures than you can with Twitter The website Blog is used as a newsletter to publicise the day to day activities of the Lodge and is uploaded to Twitter automatically

How can you benefit from our experience? Websites and Social Media isn’t the answer, it is just the beginning A little technical understanding and time is needed You need to be pro-active to maintain interest and follow up on all enquiries Produce a clear Mentoring and Retention Policy Focus on Retention and not just getting enquiries Most importantly it’s all about Communication Don’t assume people will come to you, you need to work at getting them interested

Nigel Harris-Cooksley Finally, My grateful thanks to Brian and his Team for organising and co-ordinating this event & Paul for the Twitter Pin initiative