Youth Involvement in Social Marketing

Brittany Smith

Benefits of Involving Youth

• Supports the core values and principles of systems of care

• Puts a face and a story behind the your system of care data

• Gives messages and materials credibility because youth know what to say to other youth and how to say it effectively

Benefits of Involving Youth (cont.)

• Contributes to the sustainability of your system of care– Youth involved in the work will be more likely to

tell other youth about the system of care– The work developed will be more likely to be

effective at reaching other youth

What it Takes to Engage Youth

• Effective youth-adult partnerships• Youth respond positively when they can tell they

are being authentically engaged and their life experience and perspective is valued

• Youth need to work at times and in environments that are youth-friendly

• Youth need training and preparation in order to contribute meaningfully

• Adults need to be prepared as well

Strategies for Building Relationships• Keep it positive, be strengths-based– Find out what youth view their strengths to be and

build upon them

• Empower young people– This means sharing power with them and giving

them a sense of choice

• Focus on cultural and linguistic competence• Value youth culture• Establish youth-adult partnerships

Strategies for Communication• Engage youth where they are– Use social media

• Haboo, My YearBook, Facebook

– Use text messaging– Find out where they go to get information and

establish a presence there

• Remember that youth need reminders• Communicate in a youth friendly way– No acronyms– Don’t assume they’ve understood, ask

Strategies for Meeting Basic Needs

• Transportation• Food• Emotional support• Compensate them for their time• Peer support– Make sure to encourage youth to connect with

and support each other

Strategies for Training Youth

• Use social marketing as a professional development opportunity for the youth

• Find free trainings that are youth friendly and easy for youth to participate in

• Have them shadow you during your work hours

• Pair them with another adult that can provide them with ongoing support, training, and professional development opportunities