The importance of a strong network to support, learn, share and collaborate with was the very ethos behind the launch of comms2point0. And here’s a great new network some of you will want to be a part of.
by Ruth Dale
Strictly Come Dancing is back and its ‘gone social’ crazy. The debut of You Tuber Joe Suggs brought mixed opinions, with Strictly fans taking to social media to express joy or outrage at this celebrity endorsement. Whatever you think about this development, when Joe played the circle game on live TV creating a Twitter frenzy and generating extensive media headlines, there was little doubt Strictly had successfully put organic social media at the heart of their strategy and it was working.
Earlier this year ‘Going Social’ the first, face to face Communications Network for Local Authority Public Health Communicators took place and like Strictly, it focussed on the importance of treating social media as a central plank to communications planning and not an add-on.
Here’s what Strictly has in common with our Network:
One: our very own celeb-style social media expert Darren Caveney. Darren opened the Network with a talk on how to be ‘brilliant at social media’. Public Health communicators are managing multiple conversations, with multiple audiences, across multiple channels every day. From Stoptober to Be Clear on Cancer through to checking your Heart Age the goal is to support healthy choices and prevent ill health. Darren energised the network with ideas from around the country including tips to staying positive when social media turn negative.
Two: passion for their work. Networking can be scary but as colleagues shared their experiences and plans it became clear we were working to similar goals and with a shared passion to support residents.
Three: the promise of great things to come. Okay, so we didn’t have glitter and costumes but we did have experts in the room coming together to collaborate and with the creativity flowing the sharing of ideas continued long after our session had finished.
The second Network meeting takes place this November and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone again.
This blog is meant as a huge shout out to our inspiring comms colleagues across the South East; see you soon and until then ‘Keep Dancing….’
Ruth Dale is Regional Marketing Manager - South, Public Health England
If you’re interested in knowing more about these network meetings give her a shout on Twitter at @Ruth_Dale
image via The Library of Virginia
