Social Media

Maybe words like “retweet” and “RSS” sound like a foreign language to you. Or you set up a Facebook page for your agency and now you don’t know what to do with it. Or perhaps you implemented a social media campaign but are looking for some help with measuring the impacts or advice on developing a social media policy for your organization.

Oak Square Resources has expertise in the evolving area of social media, with a particular focus on the benefits and challenges for government agencies in the social space. Susan recently studied how transit agencies use social media on behalf of the Transit Cooperative Research Program and is the co-editor for a book on best practices for transportation agency use of social media. She has been invited to speak on the topic at the Transportation Research Board, CTAA EXPO, APTA TransITech, ITS World Congress, National Rural ITS Conference, and Rail-Volution. Susan publishes The Transit Wire, a daily blog about transit technology, and she manages related Twitter and Facebook accounts to share the information as widely as possible.

This combination of research and hands-on experience sets Oak Square Resources apart. We can draw upon best practices from agencies across the U.S. and around the world. And we understand the particular challenges associated with implementing a social media campaign in a public setting.

Whether your organization is brand new to social media or just looking for some expert advice on improving an existing program, Oak Square Resources can help. Because every organization is different, we have prepared a menu of options for moving forward with a social media strategy. Susan can work with you to select the approach that meets your needs and your budget.

Initial assessment

Susan will meet with members of your organization to develop a blueprint for a social media plan. Steps include the following;

  • Conduct an inventory of exisitng communication channels
  • Identify organizational goals for using social media
  • Assess institutional challenges and barriers to implementing a social media program
  • Review staff availability and capabilities
  • Identify social media tools that will best accomplish agency goals

At the conclusion of the assessment, Susan will prepare a summary report that outlines the findings and recommends next steps. This assessment can be conducted on-site or by phone.

Getting started

When your organization is ready to move forward with a social media strategy, Oak Square Resources can help you implement the program. Services include the following

  • Set up the accounts recommended in the assessment
  • Create user profiles, creating a consistent look and feel between platforms
  • Share login information with key agency staff
  • Work with agency staff to incorporate social media icons into agency website and other communications

Staff training

After you have implemented your social media strategy, Oak Square Resources can give your staff the tools they need to keep things going. Services include the following:

  • Best practices for connecting with customers
  • How to track social media metrics
  • Options for backing up social media posts

Staff training will be conducted on-site.

Measuring the impacts

Once your agency’s social media program is up and running, you will want to know how to how effective it is. Whether you need a snapshot or an ongoing assessment, Oak Square Resources can give you feedback on how many people your social media program is reaching and how effectively you are engaging them.

Social media policy

Industry experts recommend developing a social media policy. Oak Square Resources can help your organization get the ball rolling by providing advice on best practices in government social media policies.

Need more information or an estimate? Please contact us for more details.

Public transportation research, planning, and social media

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Susan Bregman | Oak Square Resources, LLC | PO Box 35471 |Brighton, MA 02135 | 617-783-8630 | susan[at]oaksquareresources[dot]com