K.Smith

@joey881123 Love the visual support! #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 Yes. Sorry I was not clear. IE; some conspiracy theorists will claim Brachiosaurus can detach its head. Then reference a official article that says most fossils are found without a head. #EMH280Chat

Q1: What are some challenges emergency managers could/do have using social media tools to communicate with their community members? How can they overcome those challenges? #EMH280Chat

@Bill_Post_U It actually changed to 280 in 2017! So a bit more space, but still a micro-blog. #EMH280Chat

Using Twitter with the limitation of 140 characters, how do we convey complex information to the public? #EMH280Chat

@snevets_nalyd Love the outside engagement your question sparked! #EMH280Chat

Do you use social media more for entertainment, networking, or news? Personally I do a little bit of each, and I believe in the future we will see more local governments and emergency apparatus use it. (for a class I’m in but feel free to respond lol) #EMH280Chat

@Bill_Post_U @Moon21phase Absolutely! While this class focuses on social media tools and tactics, they ultimately should be additions to your communications toolbox - not the end all - be all. #EMH280Chat

@Moon21phase In an emergency, I think we cannot abandon traditional ways to get the info out, Such as reverse 911 or FCC EAS system. However, maintaining a social media presence is important for routine information. #EMH280chat

Not everyone uses social media, such as older people. What is a different way to get out information to those who would not see it during an emergency? #EMH280Chat

@JT59927 A simple answer is to ask your followers to share the message. This increases your reach exponentially and gives them an "action" to do. Risk comms tells us people need control in a crisis - this is a type of control they can have. #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 What are some other ways to mitigate the "follow" and "friend" concept that surrounds social media other than hashtags? #EMH280Chat

@miller_dea35508 You could also build a technical volunteer group (you learn about VOST in Unit 5). Then leverage this group to expand your agency capabilities online. #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 Some people specialize in Social media platforms, and I would hire them to follow the updates and train people just like me.#EMH280Chat

Q2: With how many different social media platform options exist (and change over time), how do you choose which ones your agency will communicate through? #EMH280Chat

@Pandabacon16 I would like to answer as the educator on this one. Consistency is your core message being the same. And then tailor that message to the audience and platform. So it doesn't have to look exactly the same, but the foundation should be. #EMH280Chat

Consistency is key in being a reputable source of information. As an emergency manager, is it better to have the same exact message across all platforms or to have a tailored message to the targeted audience? #EMH280Chat

@Pandabacon16 Seeing what others around you are doing is a great way to get insight into possible effective tactics! #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 Using WPXI for Pittsburgh as an example, they clearly see the most traffic and engagement on all of their platforms through X. My agency would mimic these trends with similar engagement on the high-traffic sites. The other method would just be by using demographics. #EMH280Chat

@Pandabacon16 @Moon21phase Great point! We want to leverage word-of-mouth and connections that others have. That's why it is not bad if your "followers" are less than your community population. What is important is if they are sharing your info. #EMH280Chat

@Moon21phase The best way to get out information during an emergency is pure volume. Use every medium available: social media, TV, radio, sirens, door-to-door notification, etc. Odds are if a concerned child/grandchild sees it, they're notifying the older generation. #EMH280Chat

@JT59927 Polling is a good idea! #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 Choosing social media platforms that allow for the most communication. The agency can do an anonymous poll to see what social media platforms are most commonly used. Also, choosing social media platforms that allow hashtag searches, and keyword searches. #EMH280Chat

@foister67765 Research is the missing step that many agencies forget. It is easier to just create an account on a platform than to take time to learn what would work best. Then you still have to analyze your activity to see what is and is not working. #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 I would look at the SM trends in my AO. For example, here in the ROK, everyone is on YouTube, followed by IG and FB. Picking the correct platform will be based on which one I can reach the majority of the people. #EMH280Chat

@diplomatboy22 This one isn't for everyone. However, it is a good tool for when large segments of your community use it and it is good practice for the techniques. The reality is even if your agency does not have a profile on a platform, you still need to see what is being "said". #EMH280Chat

I just find it hard to navigate this app I am more comfortable with facebook and I am more comfortable seeing familiar faces of people I know sharing info or just me doing my own research #EMH280Chat

@votero72 @JustLooking11b And an element to remember is that social media is inherently self-correcting. So while you have to keep an eye out for misinformation as an EM and take steps, know that other users who see errors will also speak up. #EMH280Chat

In the ocean of social media, we grapple with an overwhelming influx of information from unverified sources. The challenge at hand is how we can establish our credibility in the face of algorithms that prioritize engagement. So, how do we combat this precedent? #EMH280Chat

@miranda_grover1 Yes, while we are focusing on learning to use social media tools, ultimately it is just one tool in your box - not the end all - be all. #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 Challenges could be not reaching all age fields. Most elderly people do not use social media the same way younger generations do. In order to prevent that from happening an emh worker can also display info on the news or radio #EMH280Chat

@youngyoda26 How would you determine which ones will reach the most people in your particular community? #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 I would choose one that reaches the most people. Next I would choose the one that is the most popular or most viral one at the moment to communicate through because if that's social media is active that means I'll be able to reach people on that platform.#EMH280Chat

@Bill_Post_U Research is the key word there! #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 It is important not to over-extend our resources by using too many platforms. Researching where our constituents spend their time and monitoring the activity on those platforms can help. Also, Using services like Hootsuite to monitor across platforms. #EMH280Chat

@DanielEmh280 Most popular for who? ^_^ #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 That would depend on what's the most popular! When these systems change, we must be ready to change with them! #EMH280Chat

@joey881123 By attaching, do you mean posting a comment on an official post? #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 One issue that can happen is a person or group attaching onto information then planting misinformation, but because it is "attached" to a valid source it can be seen as true. #EMH280Chat

@Sarge4EMH And the language element is why you need to do your research ahead of time - so you know who and what languages your information needs to be in! #EMH280Chat

@texcat66 1) Community members speak different languages or come from diverse areas: Translate important messages into multiple languages. 2) Sharing sensitive info: Avoid sharing personal info or specific addresses of affected individuals. #EMH280Chat