Social media is about relationships not campaigns
I’ve constantly heard this mantra being repeated in social media circles and I agree with it.
I’ve been avidly following City Lit’s online campaign against possible spending cuts. There is no doubt that having already established relationships with students on social media networks, it has been easier to get the campaign off the ground and picked up by mainstream media.
For example City Lit had an active Facebook fan page and Twitter account in place, so tapping into these networks helped get the message out and quickly. Previously they would have just had to rely on their public relations staff to send out letters and press releases. Or today without a network in place, they would have had to quickly scramble to build up loyal followers.
Instead with use of social media and a network in place, City Lit was able to quickly mobilise students to help spread the word. Social media’s features such as “share” buttons play a big part in making this possible. Some students have even been inspired to blog about what City Lit means to them.
Additionally City Lit (and their followers) was able to leverage any publicity they did get, such as news articles and mentions on television programmes, through posting them on networks which again was shared with friends and followers.
I wish City Lit the best of luck in continuing to be able to provide such a wide range of fantastic courses for both advantaged and disadvantaged Londoners.
