1. Promoting your content

2. Levels of engagement

3. Assess the need Sign up, find a few people in your community and look at their connections Search posts on the site for your town’s name Try a “geo-search” on Twitter using your zip code

4. Your promotion options Automate your updates Update manually Requires an RSS feed Suitable for getting started OK if a network has no users but you want presence Not as personal Doesn’t conform to conventions All content promoted Links show up in bursts Highly personal (and users know it) Promote select content Have full control over timing Use language, voice not suitable for your newspaper’s site Re-post, repurpose content (archives, slideshows, etc.)

5. How-to HootSuite – free at Hootsuite.com – handles URL shortening, image sharing, RSS feeding, multiple accounts, keyword monitoring, etc.

6. Easy automation In Hootsuite, go to “Launch” > “Settings” > “RSS/Atom” > “Add New Feed” TwitterFeed.com provides similar functionality, but is more difficult to configure

7. Effective manual updating You don’t have to post every story Reporters can promote their content, too Archived stories have value “Police Chief Jones stepped down today. Remember this profile we published on him when he came to Texas? http://link.link.link If the story’s big, rephrase and repost Update multiple networks at once (again … Hootsuite) Plain, to-the-point language works best Use a link shortener (more on this later)

8. Widgetize / button-up For Facebook:facebook.com/facebook-widgets/ & developers.facebook.com/plugins For Twitter:twitter.com/goodies/widgets For buttons:socialfollow.com &addthis.com

9. suggest your facebook page On your page, click “Suggest to Friends” under your picture Begin with your staff Ask your fans to do the same

10. Twitter: follow other users Find people to Follow Get staffers on individually Make sure you have a Bio, Photo and Web link Respond, reach out to other users

11. Invite them in Also: http://www.redesigntcuskiff.blogspot.com/

12. Don’t forget your biggest asset