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The Consultation Institute (TCI) has issued an update on how social media engagement should complement existing consultation processes.<\/h3>\nThe Consultation Institute (TCI) has issued an update on how social media engagement should complement existing consultation processes.<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
TCI writes:<\/p>\n
While organisations acknowledge the power of digital platforms for engagement and marketing purposes, they\u2019re just not sure how to use it effectively to achieve their objectives. Merely broadcasting content on social media accounts a few times a month will not gain as much exposure and engagement as one may have hoped.\u00a0 But we can\u2019t really call this one-way communication a method of \u2018engagement\u2019 \u2013 it\u2019s more like an announcement!<\/p>\n
As prerequisites for achieving successful social media engagement,\u00a0consultors<\/em>\u00a0need to define their consultation and engagement objectives, identify which groups they want to reach and whether they have a social media presence. Knowing your goals and target audience will help you pick the\u00a0right\u00a0<\/u>digital platform.<\/p>\n Reaching specific groups<\/strong><\/p>\n When you\u2019re engaging particular demographic groups or key stakeholders, it\u2019s essential to know which groups are likely to have an online presence. Of course, you should have alternative methods of engagement in place for individuals that have a low online presence.<\/p>\n For those who are prevalent on social media, learning about their interests and online habits is essential. This includes learning about the platforms they prefer to use, the best channel to communicate with them and the sort of content they engage with (text-based, images or videos). Usually, this information is acquired through ongoing engagement with different groups. If you\u2019re at the baseline with no prior knowledge about your community or key stakeholders, it\u2019s never too late to start collating this information!<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can employ a market researcher. Market research companies, such as BMG or Ipsos Mori, can obtain information about people in different locations and how best to reach them. This should give you a better understanding of where you should focus your social media efforts.<\/p>\n If your objectives are to reach a wider audience as well as a specific demographic group, it may be that you use multiple platforms. One to increase exposure and get more responses from the community but also use other platforms that specific groups are likely to use.<\/p>\n Social media advertising<\/strong><\/p>\n A consultation will only be successful if people are aware of it. Social media advertising is the most successful method in reaching the wider online community. A well-targeted and designed advert will increase the exposure of your consultation and give the silent majority, or the \u2018lurkers\u2019, a chance to express and share their ideas and opinions about public issues.<\/p>\n Ask yourself:<\/strong>\u00a0What is the topic and scope of your consultation? Is the information you\u2019re presenting relevant to your target audience? Why should they care about your issue or campaign? In short, what\u2019s in it for them? Be specific in your outreach; explain why the consultation is essential and the impact that they will have on the outcome.<\/p>\n In 2019, Kent County Council proposed raising council tax to help address the budget deficit. The council launched a budget consultation to get the views on the proposals of local people who lived and worked in Kent. The campaign focused on social media channels as well as traditional methods of communication (press releases and interviews). Short videos were shared on social media platforms, to increase engagement and encourage those who viewed the video to further engage by reading and responding to the consultation. Their evaluation showed that the campaign was not only cost-effective but generally increased public engagement in the consultation.<\/p>\n Incorporating visual content into your posts can be powerful in increasing engagement throughout the consultation process. Video and GIF\u2019s generate more shares as opposed to images and text-based posts. Videos enable you to produce quality content, for example a short, educational video about your proposal, a team update on the progress made so far or a promo for a consultation event can help in keeping people engaged. Social media platforms, such as Instagram, Snapchat and Pinterest, thrive on the power of visual storytelling.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s dramatic headlines and typologies or bold colours, it\u2019s important to create content that will make people like, comment or reshare your content.<\/p>\n