An overview of social media – day 1 at SM4SC

This is the first in a series of summaries of what was covered in the Social Media for Social Change workshop in Kenya, Dec 8-12.

Day 1

We started off with all the normal workshop-y things like getting to know each other, logistics, etc.  Then we gave a summary of the pre-workshop survey. 

Some of the more interesting points from the survey were that:

• Participants:  52% from country offices, 30% national offices, 13% regional offices, 4% from international HQ (IH)
• 62% of the participants consider themselves as having a very comfortable relationship with ICT
• The top 4 tools that participants use are:  text messaging, google search, skype and social network sites
• Tools that participants least often use are:  microblogging, mobile data gathering, frontline SMS, mobile banking
• 80% felt that Plan’s work could be enhanced by mobile phone technology or better use of ICT

(A post workshop survey will be going out in the next month to SM4SC participants, so watch for it!)

Erik Hersman from the blog White African (www.whiteafrican.com) was our first speaker, tasked with giving us an overview of social media, what it is and what are some of the different tools. Following that, we had a hands-on session to practice with different tools such as blogging, uploading digital photos, Flip cameras, mobile banking, etc.

 

"The world is changing and you have to change with it or you will become irrelevant."

Erik’s Presentation:

Erik said that the cool thing about social media is that you as an individual user can share things.  So he shared some ‘dirty secrets’ about social media.

Dirty Little Secret 1

It’s what you do everyday, just add a digital element

Dirty Little Secret 2

If you’re from Africa, you’ve been doing it for centuries

Dirty Little Secret 3

It’s communicating with the tools that your community already uses

(so you need to look at what is relevant and available in your own community or locale and use it)

Dirty Little Secret 4

Youth in the west also have a ‘leg-up’ on those in ‘power’ because they ‘get it’

So…. 

What exactly is Social Media?

It’s basically using Digital Tools to extend your current communications and connect with more people.

How is it different?

• There are low barriers for entry…. Anyone can do it – it’s only about having access to the ‘device’ or technology.
• More accessible
• Everyone has the opportunity to have a voice.
• It’s cheaper (sms vs phone, face book vs advertising)
• Not one to many, but everyone to everyone
• No one controls it

Social media is about community.

In Africa it’s augmenting what we have…. and in the West it creates what is non-existent.

Erik spoke also of the 3 D’s of social media:

• Disruptive technologies
• Displace Mass media
• Decentralize

He advised that the first thing is to know what are you trying to achieve.  Then choose the social media tool.

Several short videos exist about social media tools.  We will be making a Social Media toolbox DVD which will be available shortly.  In the meantime, here are 3 recommended videos from the Common Craft series on Social Media 1) Social Media in Plain English; 2) Social Networking in Plain English; and 3) Blogging in Plain English.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI&feature=channel

Participants!  What was the most interesting thing about the first day for you?  Please comment!