Channel Islands communicators learn how to blog and tweet

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Social media expert Andy Gibson enlightened 20 Channel Islands communications professionals at seminars organised in Guernsey and Jersey by the CI group of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

Mr Gibson is a social entrepreneur, campaigner and consultant specialising in the social uses of technology. He is the author of Social by Social, a comprehensive practical guide to using social technologies for social good.

Social media encompasses the use of free online tools, such as Twitter and Facebook, to connect with like-minded audiences.

Speaking to the local audiences spanning the PR, marketing, web, legal and tourism sectors, he emphasised that the use of social media is no longer a matter of choice. It is used by third parties to talk about organisations and individuals.

“In order to win at social media, things need to be remarkable. Remarkable things are passed around and discussed so this is a great way to get a message or brand out into the open,” he said.

He said that the use of social media was a form of public broadcasting and some individuals have reached larger, more engaged audiences than the more traditional and conventional branches of the media.

“If you are broadcasting, don’t say anything you wouldn’t be happy to say on the 6 o’clock news,” he said.

Jason MacKenzie, Chair of the CIPR group, said: “The tide of new media is advancing and it is critical to communications professionals that we keep abreast of developments. Andy offered our members an excellent insight into what can be achieved by harnessing these technologies.”