Social Media for Water Utilities
Navigating the Crossroads of
Social Media
What is social media?
Social media is to communication as smart metering is to water usage
Both allow for rapid and improved flow of information
Social Media for Water Utilities
Just another way of communicating with people
Social Media for Water Utilities
Social Media Tools
Social Media for Water Utilities
Agen
cy /
Com
pany
Page
Indi
vidu
alTi
mel
ine
Who, where, how, when, and what?
1.19 billion monthly active users (September 30, 2013)
Approx. 80% of daily active users are outside the U.S. & Canada.751 Million access it with 7,000 different mobile devices
23% check their account more than 5X a dayFace
book
Social Media for Water Utilities
Twitt
er
Who, where, how, when, and what?
228 million monthly active users
Fastest growing demographic is 55-64 year olds
68% of users access Twitter from mobile devices
On average over 400 million tweets are sent each day
Twitt
erSocial Media for Water Utilities
Goo
gle
+
Goo
gle
+
Who, where, how, when, and what?
Over 540 million active users (October 2013)
Over 67% of users are male
The +1 button is hit more than 5 billion times a day
Social Media for Water Utilities
YouT
ube
YouT
ube
Who, where, how, when, and what?
Over 6 billion hours of video a month are watched on YouTube
More than a million creators from over 30 countries
25% of watch time is from a mobile device
Social Media for Water Utilities
Additional tools
Professional Network with over 259 million users
flickr Photosharing site with over 87 million users & 8 billion photos
Blogging platform running 69 million sites in the world or 19% of all websites
Social Media for Water Utilities
So how do we make this work for us?
Social Media for Water Utilities
First we consider a
few key points
WebsiteYour website is an anchor
Social Media for Water Utilities
It’s good to have a plan
All tools work together
Keys to good communication
Social Media for Water Utilities
Follow a process
• Create a committee• Review organization’s mission• Determine messages• Determine audience• Choose the right tools/platforms• Determine timing• Explore examples from other
agencies• Develop & Summarize Plan• Launch• Review
Social Media for Water Utilities
Where to get “good ideas”
Social Media for Water Utilities
Thames WaterPortland Water Bureau
EPAAWWA/ISAWWA
Small Water SupplyWorld Water Day
Social Media for Water Utilities
Thames Water #tweetaleak
Twitter program
Message: Water Leaks
Social Media for Water UtilitiesMessage: Water Billing
To find examples of how other agencies handle water billing issues on
Facebook type the following into Google:
site:facebook.com "water billing"
Social Media for Water Utilities
Message: Construction Information
Portland Water Bureau Water Blog
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/39678
Social Media for Water Utilities
Message: Public Education
Thames WaterYouTube Channel
Social Media for Water Utilities
Message: Emergencies
To find examples of how other agencies handle water emergencies on
Twitter type your specific search phrase into Google
like this:
site:twitter.com “boil order"
Social Media for Water UtilitiesMessage: Industry Information
Minnesota AWWAGoogle+ Page
Social Media for Water Utilities
Resource Sites are Great for Information!
Illinois Section AWWA
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Illinois-Section-AWWA/82177840285
Social Media for Water Utilities
Resource Sites are Great for Content!
US EPA offers widgets for your
website
http://www.epa.gov/widgets/
Social Media for Water Utilities
Resource Sites are Great for Content!
Small Water Supply
http://smallwatersupply.org
also onFacebook/Twitter/YouTube
Social Media for Water Utilities
Resource Sites are Great for Content!
United Nations sponsors
World Water Dayeach year
http://www.unwater.org/
Social Media for Water Utilities
Resource Sites are Great for Content!
Call 811 sponsorsSafe Digging
Month
http://www.call811.com/campaign-materials/safe-digging-month.aspx
Thank You! Questions?Pam Broviak, PE
Public Works [email protected]
Website/blog: http://www.publicworksgroup.com/blogTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/pbroviakLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/pbroviakSlides at: http://www.slideshare.net/publicworksgroup
Social Media for Water Utilities
Social Media 101 Resources: http://www.pwmag.com/blogs/post.aspx?BlogId=theworks Communications Workbook Word Document: http://publicworksgroup.com/ebooks/SocialMediaWorkbookPWG.docx
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