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5 things every leader needs to know about social media
Facebook. Twitter. Linked in. Wordpress. Blogger. Digg. Youtube. And now even Google Plus. Social media isn't going away, and while it's a ever changing landscape, it's one that holds huge opportunities, and more than a few pitfalls. So here's five things you need to know about leading in the age of social media.
- Ideas spread through social media.
Ideas - right, wrong, healthy or unhealthy - are discussed, shared, retweeted and perpetuated in social media. If you're not actively promoting the ideas that you believe in within social media networks, then who do you expect will do that? Find out which networks your church members inhabit, and join them. If you're not there, you are abdicating the role you could play as a thought leader. - Intentional strategies help you maximize your influence.
Have you thought about who you are tweeting for? Is it your church or ministry audience, or is it your community? Does your Facebook page exist for your church alone to engage with, or is it a resource for them to share events and links with friends? If you blog, do you have new posts automatically publish to other social media, and which sites? Without intentional strategies, your social media presence will be stunted or confused. Find someone who can help you think through the why, what, who and how of the social media landscape. There's lots of resources on the Internet to help you with this - here's just a few to get you started.
http://www.socialtechnologyreview.com/articles/social-media-sites-strategies-tools-non-profitshttp://spurspectives.com/why-every-nonprofit-needs-a-social-media-strategy/http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/7-steps-for-a-successful-social-media-strategy/ - Interact with networks, don't just publish.
The great thing about social media is being social. Ask questions, comment on other people's status updates, retweet someone's tweet. I know several pastors who use questions on social media to gauge what people are thinking about future sermon topics or current affairs. Interactive social media can also help you raise money with some studies showing that it's effective use can mean your fundraising can increase by 40%.
http://realizedworth.amplify.com/2011/05/13/using-social-media-increases-fundraising-by-40-study-by-anthonysicola/ - Inclusive networks - where those who don't agree with you are welcome - can be a wonderful way to practise hospitality and engage with challenging subjects.
Follow people on twitter who provide alternative viewpoints to help you understand their perspective, and the way you may be perceived at times. It's also an opportunity to model how to disagree respectfully and graciously. Some of the conversation on social media can degenerate quickly and turn vitriolic. Draw boundaries and establish commenting guidelines. If people don't abide by them, you can take appropriate action to create a safe discussion space, depending on the kind of social media channel you are using. - Integrity rules the day.
"The difference between those who fail and those who succeed in the age of social media is simple. Success is no longer about fancy packaging and carefully controlled messages. When everyone can see what you're doing, the most essential values are transparency, honesty and credibility. Even with advanced privacy tools - like private lists, tweets and circles - the most foolproof way to stay safe on social media is simply to be who you say you are. Pretending to be something you're not, or attempting to conceal or manipulate the truth is a surefire way to lose. You win by matching your image with reality, acting with integrity, and sincerely apologizing when you're wrong."(from http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/08/the_simple_way_to_avoid_social.html)
The people you lead are most likely using social media, so being present in that space can be an important leadership role. Use social media well and enjoy the journey!
Ruth Limkin Arrow 7
Ruth brings a breadth and variety of experience to her writings, having worked in the non-profit sector for many years. Currently, Ruth works as the CEO of a Brisbane charity, and a pastor, working with young adults. Ruth began writing social commentary as a contributor for the Courier Mail in 2003 and has since been published in a variety of media outlets, university texts and non-fiction works. In 2008, Ruth was awarded the Margaret Dooley Award for social justice and human rights writing.
Ruth is passionate about communicating ideas that change people, and writes, speaks and advocates about matters of poverty and injustice. She has a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Management and Leadership, and is a lifelong student of leadership, innovation and strategic thinking.
Having volunteered in a number of humanitarian and community development projects, both within Australia and internationally, Ruth continues to pursue holistic solutions to complex problems. On her blog, Bread and Justice (breadandjustice.com), Ruth describes herself as a devotee of hope and believes that strategic, networked, and resourced community responses can indeed help create a better tomorrow.
Ruth mobilised and coordinated around 500 volunteers to assist with immediate and ongoing responses to the January 2011 Brisbane floods, and was later awarded a Disaster Hero medal from the Queensland Government for her efforts.
Born in Japan, Ruth has spent most of her life in Brisbane. She considers herself extremely fortunate to have met and married a wonderful man with whom she enjoys the daily adventure of life.
http://www.ruthlimkin.com/
