Rock Creek Roundup (January 8 Edition)

Posted by: Meagen Ryan, Marketing Strategist Jan 08, 2010 0 Comments

BroadbandMatch facilitates collaboration, the U.S. Census Bureau uses social media to spread information and education, a social media pro reminds us of the power of listening, and OhMyGov recaps the government social media stories, all in our first Rock Creek Roundup of 2010.

—Government agencies, expert individuals, nonprofit organizations, and businesses interested in collaborating on projects related to the Recovery Act’s $7.2 billion dollar rural broadband initiatives now have a one-stop-shop for finding the perfect partner: BroadbandMatch. The website, a partnership of the USDA and the Department of Commerce, aims to create a “stronger, more creative applicant pool” to facilitate broadband access throughout the nation, including rural areas that are currently underserved. Potential applicants can create a profile for their business or agency, and can also search profiles for organizations and individuals whose skill set meets their needs.

—The U.S. Census Bureau is using social media tools to help it educate and inform the public about the importance of an accurate census and the confidentiality of all information that is collected. In addition to a national road tour featuring thirteen vans performing outreach at 800 different stops, the Bureau is also launching online social media initiatives on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, all available from the Bureau’s 2010 Census website.

—Certainly, social media offers government agencies the opportunity to connect and communicate with members of the communities they serve. But, as social media expert Jeffrey Sass explained at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show, it also offers an unparalleled opportunity to listen in on “thousands of conversations.” Sass warns agencies to expect somewhat of a gap between the way they perceive themselves and the way the public perceives them, and to expect criticism, but says it’s still important to track social media conversations about your agency either in-house or via an outside service.

—And finally, as we embrace the new year, it’s worth taking a few moments to celebrate the year that was 2009. OhMyGov has put together a list of the top 12 government social media stories that occurred last year. Top stories include state and local governments using social media to empower citizens and make communities safer; kudos going to NASA for the way that they constantly push the social media envelope; and recognition of the TSA’s quick reaction to a potential social media situation.

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Meagen Ryan

Marketing Strategist

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