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Update on Social Media Things to Know –
Texas A&M AgriLife Urban FCS Training
This presentation contains some items of note for social media outreach and education
relevant to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. Items include changes for August 2012 – August
2013.
Audience: Urban FCS Agents
Intended use: Best practices for Blogging specifically for outreach and education related
to agencies
Notes: Slides include notes
Blog, blogging, blogfest,
blog-o-rama
Blogging as if it was your last day on Earth
3
Web 1.0 - static
Web 2.0 – user generated
Web 3.0 - simulate
Web 4.0 - ?
User Generated Content
The ability for a user to manage their own content via
online tools and services that enable them to post directly
to the Internet
Mommy Blogging
Drudge Report
Blog Circles
I think, therefore I am
To Blog or Not to Blog
Blog if:
Need the ability to archive (or organize) your posts
Need to produce timely information
Need to tell a story
Lean towards more personal communication
Make your single posting available in multiple formats (work smarter not
harder)
Don’t Blog
Plan to be boring
Update better presented by email
Plan on not using best web writing practices
Web Writing Best Practices
Title: Descriptive with key words.
Opening paragraph
informative and descriptive.
Capture interest
Photo – yes please! High value
for most users.
Sharability to other social
networks much higher with
photo
External linking – link to credible
resources.
Don’t type see this article here
as the hyperlink
Do type how to cook meat
safely from Texas AgriLife
Extension as the link
Action Oriented
Blog posts should have information in them so that people can perform an ACTION
Go to a website
Share your article
Comment back to you
Come to a meeting
Call your phone
Send you an email
Click on a tag to see additional content
Making a Content Calendar
A content calendar can help you plan your content year round.
Content calendars can be simple spread sheets with each sheet being a month
You can plan which months you will talk about which subjects
As you come across good material, you add it to the appropriate month and then in that month
you blog about the material, or the topic
Example: January is car safety month – your content calendar might include links you’ve found to research
about car safety, links to pictures showing good/bad, consumer resources, workshops or safety check days
Works good with group planning. Who will do what in each month or for each topic
How to Promote Your Blog
Blog sites are not often visited as a users regular routine (like email, or social network sites).
Instead, they are usually visited by prompting:
Advertised on your other social channels “just posted about the value of organic gardening
http://myblog.com”
Pinned to boards in Pinterest
Tweeted out by a user to other users
Email notification
Part of your blog planning should include the methods in which you will promote EACH post
(as well as your blog in general). Set up a methodology.
Blog postPost to social networks with
link to post
Pin on Pinterest
Email to usersPost notice
on main website
Final suggestions
Include ways for users to connect with you on your
blog (subscribe by email, connect to you in G+,
Twitter)
Use tagging to organize you posts
Follow other blogs to get ideas
Promote partners in your blogs
Be informative, but don’t forget to be fun!
Amy E. Hays
Emerging Technologies Program Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Institute of Renewable Natural Resources
