Every year, the DC Office of Planning (DCOP) participates in the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) by providing opportunities of summer employment for DC students and residents to learn what we do for the City and how planning is part of their daily lives. This year, we wanted to explore introducing planning to the students through the use of social media and communications arts tools. This presentation was for DCOP employees and summer college interns on how they can use social media for social good in their community.

1. DC Office of Planning
Summer Youth
Employment Program
Engaging Youth in
Urban Design and Community Planning through
Social Media and Communications Art
Written and presented by: Danielle Ricks

2. Overview
What does it mean to use social media? Not just to entertain
and connect with friends; but also to connect, collaborate
and build support for important causes?
Today we will cover:
 What we will do together
 The impact of social media
 How to use social media for social good
 What social media tools are available
 Tips for using social media tools
 Ways to get started
 Takeaways and follow-up
Social Media
for
Social Good

3. What We Will Do Together
Pick a cause you are passionate about
Develop a social media for social good
campaign
Learn how to connect, collaborate and
build support for important causes

4. What is social media?
• Any tool or service that uses the Internet to
facilitate conversations
• Words, pictures, video, chatter, audio and
also experiences observations, opinions,
news and insights
• Connections between friends, peers, and
influencers
• Collaborations
• The redistribution of influence
• An opportunity and privilege
- Brian Solis, “Engage!”

5. The Power of Social Media
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3gtCv1umyY

6. Social Media is Changing
• How we connect
• How we communicate
• How we get informed
• How we share information
• How we form opinions
• How we make decisions
• How we work
• How we play
http://web.mit.edu/e-club/hadzima/seven-characteristics-of-highly-effective-entrepreneurial-employees.html

7. Social Media for Social Good
Social media can prove a powerful digital tool for
raising awareness and encouraging action.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/social-media-social-good

8. How Can Social Media
Make a Difference in YOUR Community?
Let’s come up with five ways together!
1. __________________________
2. __________________________
3. __________________________
4. __________________________
5. __________________________

9. Where to begin?
• Social Networking: A collection
of people connected by
relationships (community
building, niche groups)
• Content: Video, Photos, Music,
Links, Blogs
• Tools: Search Engines, Mobile
Apps, Blogs

10. The Social Media Landscape

11. Let’s Get Started
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Twitter

12. Facebook
Facebook is the
largest social
networking site
intended to
connect friends,
family and
business
associates.

13. Facebooking
 Post statements you’d feel comfortable sharing with
your family, instructors or co-workers.
 Never complain about your school, University,
organizations or place of employment online.
 Post photos of yourself that you consider to be
professional.
 Hide friend’s comments or information deemed to be
inappropriate.
 Un-tag yourself in photos that are inappropriate.
 Only link, follow or friend people you know and trust.
 Remember that you represent your cause,
organization or profession.

14. Twitter
Twitter is a form of micro-
blogging . Limited 140
characters, designed to be
used in IM and SMS (text
messaging). Only those that
follow you on Twitter will
RECEIVE your Tweets.
Anyone can VIEW your
Tweets and responses on
your Twitter page unless you
manually block them.

15. Twetiquette
 Tweet like a person.
 Have fun, be engaging, share, collaborate.
 Take the time to complete your profile.
(remember 10 magic words)
 Be true to your brand.
 Be focused.
 Avoid phrases that may be offensive in others’
eyes.
 Avoid conflict.

16. YouTube
YouTube allows billions of people
to discover, watch and share
originally-created videos. YouTube
provides a forum for people to
connect, inform, and inspire
others across the globe and acts
as a distribution platform for
original content creators and
advertisers large and small.

17. Tips for Video Sharing
 One take – Do it in one take to avoid
editing and also to “keep it real.”
 Location, location, location - Look for
a quiet spot with as much lighting as
possible.
 Clothing - No tight patterns on shirts,
etc; solid colors or simple patterns.
 Relax into it – Start off your vlog with
something easy that will relax the
interviewee and yourself.

18. Instagram
Instagram is an online
photo-sharing, video-
sharing and social
networking service that
enables its users to take
pictures and videos, apply
digital filters to them, and
share them on a variety of
social networking services
such as Facebook, Twitter,
Tumblr and Flickr.

19. Tips for Photo sharing
 Take Your Time: Take multiple pictures until
you get the shot right, or as right as you can
get it.
 Curate: Don't shoot and post a photo
immediately. Spend a little time to get a
photo right before showing it off to the
world.
 Find the Light: Photography is all about
lighting. The best natural light you'll get is
right after dawn, and again just prior to dusk.
 Edit: Invest in a free photo editing app such
as Snapseed. It will allow you to make any
need adjustments.

20. Vine and Instagram Video
Vine and Instagram Video
are apps used for sharing
short, looping videos. This
video sharing feature
allows users to create and
share short video clips (6
seconds for Vine and 15
seconds for Instagram) to
create creative, compelling
content to engage
audiences.

21. Tips Short Video Loops
 Have a Plan: 15 seconds can go by very
quickly. Know what key messages you want
to convey, what images you want to use, etc.
If need be, map it out.
 Keep it simple: Break it up into logical pieces
and do a series of clips.
 Experiment: It will take a some trial and error
to figure out what works best for your core
audience and brand.

22. Protecting Your Digital Footprint
 Social Smarts: Be mindful about what you are posting
on your social network channels.
 Privacy: Project yourself and your accounts online.
 Appropriateness: Posting provocative or inappropriate
pictures or posts online is unacceptable.
 Avoidance: If people you don’t know are making
inappropriate requests comments you have the right
to block them.

23. Q&A

24. Let’s Get
Started!