GSMChat Recap: #Elections & #SocialMedia Advice for Public Communicators & Officials
Oct 22, 2020With elections quickly approaching, many in the socialgov community got advice & shared tips in this Government Social Media Chat, “#Elections & #SocialMedia Advice for Public Communicators & Officials.” After govies from all over introduced themselves, we got started with Question 1:
Q1: There’s been A LOT to communicate this year. What are some methods you could use to effectively get the message out about #ElectionDay within all of your other important posts? #GSMChat #LocalGov #SocialGov pic.twitter.com/UdZq4G8MOQ
— Government Social Media (@GovernmentSM) October 15, 2020
So, how do you balance all the different types of messaging effectively? Here’s what your peers said:
A1: Use of short videos that can demystify the process. https://t.co/UygBN3KKXN #GSMChat
— Alton Dillard (@altond2) October 15, 2020
A1: Using election posts as a buffer for more contentious posts. Our local City Council election gets people a lot less mad than other topics (national elections, public health, etc.); so, focusing local allows us to talk about things like early voting without the anger. #GSMChat
— Richard C. Yeakley (@RichardCYeakley) October 15, 2020
That's an excellent thought! #gsmchat
— Jessie Brown 😷 (@jbrownsocial) October 15, 2020
A1: Make your own MEMEs super short looped videos too. (Dont forget the captions for the many people who are in a meeting, but scrolling past your content with the sound off...) #GSMChat pic.twitter.com/MMJOOBIw61
— Emily Allen Lucht (@allen_emilym) October 15, 2020
How’s the socialgov community handling the bans on political ads? How do you still get info out effectively? It might be tough, but here are some creative ideas.
A2: Here are some more details from Facebook #GSMChat https://t.co/Q3eGzBLmMR
— Government Social Media (@GovernmentSM) October 15, 2020
A2: Lots of Twitter and use of non-traditional partnerships and good old fashioned shoe leather. We also had our team complete the FB political process. Caveat, I specialize in elections comms. https://t.co/LS8BI1CGDi #GSMChat
— Alton Dillard (@altond2) October 15, 2020
A2: Hmm. This is a good question. Instagram LIVE events might work if you have a candid and just open conversation. Maybe? #GSMChat
— Emily Allen Lucht (@allen_emilym) October 15, 2020
A2: Facebook may not like it — 😬 — but there’s a lot of potential to use Local Alerts as a way to share geotargeted information about drop box locations and/or to share key election deadlines with your community.#GSMChat https://t.co/VvOu6gOrW6
— Warren Kagarise (@wkagarise) October 15, 2020
What are ways your agency’s accounts and non-campaign official accounts for electeds could best work together? Get some expert advice right here:
Q3: What are ways your agency’s accounts and non-campaign official accounts for electeds could best work together during #Elections? #GSMChat pic.twitter.com/zYF4Ed7SeD
— Government Social Media (@GovernmentSM) October 15, 2020
A2: Alternative Platforms help us with this. We've really stepped up our Nextdoor game for this reason. #GSMChat
— Richard C. Yeakley (@RichardCYeakley) October 15, 2020
A3: Work with electeds’ staff so the officials’ accounts can share and amplify the agency’s key election messages.
— Warren Kagarise (@wkagarise) October 15, 2020
Create toolkits with vetted info and talking points that electeds can share without running afoul of any campaign laws in your state or jurisdiction.#GSMChat https://t.co/z7mN0UB8pS
Bad info floats easily around social media, especially during elections. What are some strategies you use to debunk?
A3: Work with electeds’ staff so the officials’ accounts can share and amplify the agency’s key election messages.
— Warren Kagarise (@wkagarise) October 15, 2020
Create toolkits with vetted info and talking points that electeds can share without running afoul of any campaign laws in your state or jurisdiction.#GSMChat https://t.co/z7mN0UB8pS
A4: RUMOR PAGE. Post the rumor. Post the facts. Link the resources. Keep it simple and be transparent. #GSMChat pic.twitter.com/ld2bpqwXaa
— Emily Allen Lucht (@allen_emilym) October 15, 2020
A4: Have an open line of communication with the election official. If it is in-house, great. If it is housed elsewhere, plan w/ them beforehand. You need to be able to get good info in a timely fashion on #ElectionDay and don't want to have to track that person down. #GSMChat
— Richard C. Yeakley (@RichardCYeakley) October 15, 2020
A4: Also, where possible, point to the correct source of information.
— Richard C. Yeakley (@RichardCYeakley) October 15, 2020
If you are a City, you don't HAVE to answer questions about County, State, or Federal elections. If you know the answer, great. If you don't, it's A-OK to point people to the right source. #GSMchat
Last question of the day! Mental health, especially for govies, can take a toll during election season. What are ways you’re practicing your self-care?
A5: ICYMI, here are some ways to keep up with your #SocialSelfCare & mental health #GSMChathttps://t.co/ozv9K8BaY8
— Government Social Media (@GovernmentSM) October 15, 2020
Be able to set boundaries - lots of them.
— Jessie Brown 😷 (@jbrownsocial) October 15, 2020
Walk away at the end of the day. Avoid doomscrolling at night.
Give yourself breaks and remember that everyone is caring quite loudly right now, but their comments are never about you.
Take time after election & decompress. #gsmchat
A5. Make sure you turn off (yourself & electronics) when off the clock at work! Plan to have some backup, if even just to brainstorm responses. Book off vacation/flex time for the week following #elections #gsmchat
— Marian Doucette (@iNeedArts) October 15, 2020
A5: For me, it's tempting to be always on.
— Richard C. Yeakley (@RichardCYeakley) October 15, 2020
I have to block off time to be fully off. Fortunately, there are others in my division who can catch those times. Not long, but an hour or two (or a day) with NO pressure to check comments/messages is huge. #GSMChat
We appreciate the socialgov community supporting each other, sharing tips & helpful resources! For a full recap of the October 15, 2020, Government Social Media Chat, you can read through the whole chat on Wakelet.
Government Social Media Chat is your chance to get advice and ideas from your government social media peers across the U.S. We e-meet on Twitter bi-weekly to unpack social media issues specific to the socialgov community, share thoughts through guided questions and destress together. Search “#GSMChat” on Twitter every other Thursday to join in.
Best communicate with the public you serve by becoming a part of the free Government Social Media network — only available to full/part-time employees of government or educational institutions. Get access to socialgov-specific resources, like the COVID-19 SocialGov Hub group, and other organized content. Virtually collaborate with each other, share advice, get input, tips & more by joining the Government Social Media network today.
Government Social Media® empowers government professionals to achieve mastery in social media through conferences, online training, and association membership. Best communicate with the public you serve and get connected with fellow socialgovs by registering for the 2025 Government Social Media Conference happening in the Orlando-area and virtually from wherever you are! Join the free GSM Network for text-only chats on socialgov topics or access the Government Social Media Association (GSMA) for regional virtual meetups and educational webinars.
