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Social Media Roundup Introduction to Tumblr

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Social Media Roundup AgendaThis week’s Social Media Roundup takes a closer look atTumblr and discusses how government agencies are using theplatform. Many Army organizations use blogging services likeBlogger and Wordpress for their blogging efforts, but Tumblrcontinues to grow in popularity and several organizations aremaking the jump to Tumblr. Introduction The future of blogging? Who is using Tumblr? Should you be using Tumblr?

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Social Media RoundupIntroduction Tumblr is a microblogging platform that allows users to post text, images, videos, links, quotes and audio to their tumblelog. Tumblr’s primary focus is ease of use. It combines the social sharing of Twitter and Facebook with an easy-to-use blogging platform. The site ranks as the 10th largest social network with 6.8 million weekly visits. Tumblr became the first blogging platform to host President Obamas blog, and organizations like DoD Live and the State Department are also using Tumblr as part of a blogging strategy. Tumblr is on the General Services Administration Terms of Service Agreements list. This list includes tools/providers that offer federal-compatible terms of service and specific instructions for how agencies can sign on.

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Social Media RoundupThe future of blogging? Tumblr allows for faster blogging, and also brings together the functionality of other platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Tumblr is free, search engine optimized and it continues to make efforts to be more accessible through mobile devices. By combining the posting capabilities of Facebook, video sharing capabilities of YouTube and the microblogging function of Twitter, Tumblr may in fact be the future of blogging. Although it is important to be aware of this platform, we do not recommend branching into Tumblr unless you have the personnel and resources to keep it fresh and updated.

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Social Media Roundup Who is using Tumblr? The average Tumblr user creates 14 original posts each month, and reblogs three. Half of those posts are photos. The rest are split between text, links, quotes, music, and video. President Barack Obama started using Tumblr in October 2011. He uses it primarily to generate support for his 2012 presidential campaign. DoD Live, uses Tumblr to post photos and videos The blog also shares quotes from various leaders like the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. DoD Live still uses www.dodlive.mil/ as it’s primary blog, but they are using Tumbler to amplify their blogging efforts. The U.S. State Department links to their Twitter feed with their Tumblr account and also posts videos of Dept. of State officials discussing various topics relevant to the organization’s mission.

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Social Media RoundupShould you be using Tumblr? As with all social media platforms, it’s important to have a plan before you start working with new platform. Tumblr is growing in popularity and several users have been successful with the platform, but if your organization is using a blogging service like Wordpress or Blogger there is no reason to jump ship to Tumblr. If you’ve developed a following on your current blog, you might lose a portion of your audience if you move to Tumblr suddenly. It is not advised to duplicate your blogging efforts if you already maintain a presence on Blogger or Wordpress. For those who aren’t blogging and think Tumblr is the way to go, make sure you dedicate the time and resources to keep your Tumblr profile active and fresh. Just like all social media platforms, if you’re not active, you’re not relevant.

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Social Media Roundup Contact informationHave questions? Please feel free toreach out to us at the Online andSocial Media DivisionEmail:Ocpa.osmd@us.army.milTo review and download past editions of theSocial Media Roundup, visit our Slideshare siteat: http://www.slideshare.net/usarmysocialmedia.If you do not have access to Slideshare, they canalso be found on AKO at:https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/505262. AllSocial Media Roundups are authorized to bedistributed to a broader audience.12/14/2011OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF PUBLIC AFFAIRSPENTAGON