By Kristin Bockius, State & Local Government Social Media Marketing Manager

These days, state and local government agencies are starting to realize that social media is inevitable. Someone within the organization is probably already engaged. Perhaps an employee is tweeting, blogging, or posting to social networking forums like GovLoop.

For better or worse, it is probably more reasonable to embrace social media. As a blogger myself, and head of Bright Side of Government, most of our customers are looking for answers on how to embrace social media as they make their way to Gov 2.0. I think that Utah has a good strategy.

The state of Utah is proactively addressing social media by developing a set of guidelines for appropriate social media use by all public employees and state officials. The purpose of the guidelines is to ensure that the state does not just ban the use of social media due to security, privacy and other issues. Instead, by providing thoughtful advice on how employees can effectively participate in social networks, the state is embracing a transparent and open government.

I also like to point out that the advice Utah provides to its employees is sound and reasonable. They include tips for creating engaging and valuable content. They also advise employees to be honest, transparent and thoughtful in their postings.

Most if these guidelines are common sense, but it is always good to have reminders and to create some sort of parameters around how your employees can participate.

Have you take steps to embrace social media within your agency? Share with us some of the best practices that your agency has put into place. Our readers would love to learn from you.

Technorati Tags: ,,,

Share this post :


Link to original post