January 19, 2016 We are interrupting our normal Social Media Monday post to let you know about an exciting opportunity for community involvement. A team of 6 Montgomery County Public School Middle school students just won Best in State in the Verizon Innovative App Challenge and are now in the running for the National Level Competition. Read the Rest...
January 4, 2016 Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~ Oprah Winfrey Top Story The world of social media is endlessly changing and with new platforms and apps arriving weekly it makes social media marketing a challenge. Some recent trends can be used as an indication of what we can Read the Rest...
December 21, 2015 Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store. ~ Dr. Seuss This time of year we are all running from one party or obligation to the next. We are worried about the end of the year, a better next year, and going out on New Years. We are searching for the Read the Rest...
December 14, 2015 The secret of happiness is variety, but the secret of variety, like the secret of all spices, is knowing when to use it. ~ Daniel Gilbert Mr. Gilbert’s point could not be more accurate in the realm of social media and digital marketing. Facebook might be a good fit for one community, Read the Rest...
December 7, 2015 Alfred Hitchcock once told me, when I was analyzing a lot of things about his pictures, ‘Clint, you must remember, it’s only a movie. ~ Clint Eastwood Most of us know that YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, right behind it’s parent company Google. However, it also has the most videos shared Read the Rest...
November 30, 2015 There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. ~ Ansel Adams Pinterest is a social network that allows users to visually share and discover new interests by posting (known as ‘pinning’) images in groups within Pinterest (known as ‘boards’) while at the same time browsing what other users have pinned. Being Read the Rest...
November 23, 2015 You can tell you ate too much for Thanksgiving when you have to let your bathrobe out. ~ Jay Leno SPECIAL EDITION – Happy Thanksgiving! Facts about Thanksgiving 1. The first Thanksgiving was held in the autumn of 1621 2. Thanksgiving is the reason for TV dinners … seriously. Look it up 3. The Read the Rest...
November 16, 2015 A picture is worth a thousand words? – Frederick Barnard So with that in mind this week we will be reviewing Instagram and some best practices for posting content that excites your followers and creates engagement within your community. Over this multi-week series we are discussing the best practices for several of the Read the Rest...
November 9, 2015 Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill. – Buddha Choosing words is the life blood of what we do as social media and communication experts. Every word is painstakingly crafted into a sentence, post, or tweet Read the Rest...
November 2, 2015 The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~ Lao Tzu That first step is behind us and we are moving ahead with our Social Media Monday (SMM) blog. Since we are looking to encourage feedback, comments, and general engagement you will notice that you are able to comment this Read the Rest...
October 26, 2015 The Department of Information Technology is excited to resume Social Media Mondays. Our goal is to provide useful tips and strategies to best utilize social media within the scope of state government. Each week the blog will be broken down into the three sections explained below. This blog should help nurture our community Read the Rest...
June 1, 2015 Happening THIS WEEK! @GovTech Maryland Digital Government Summit Join your colleagues for a digital government summit to include: Opening Remarks – David Garcia, Secretary of Information Technology, State of Maryland Opening Keynote – Find Your Voice – Jim Meskimen, Master Impressionist and Communication Coach General Session – Communicating in a Crisis – 30 Years of Read the Rest...
April 6, 2015 Check In with Social Media Monday! Today’s edition of SMM is chuck-full of state social media news you need to partner with your sister agencies to lift up our combined profile. Please use the tips and tricks for consistent branding across state websites and social networks and push out the information provided Read the Rest...
February 16, 2015 HootTips Our HootSuite Enterprise platform is full of features that will help you work more efficiently. For the next few weeks, I will feature some of the powerful tools at your fingertips starting today with using geocode to search on Twitter. Remember that you can take short tutorials from HootSuite University anytime Read the Rest...
February 9, 2015 Crisis Communications in Social Have you been following the continuing saga of NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams and his mis-remembering of riding in a helicopter that was either a) hit by fire, b) behind the one hit by fire c) on vacation in Bali dreaming of being hit by gunfire while Read the Rest...
February 2, 2015 Good afternoon and Happy #Groundhog Day! The bad news? The little PA fur ball predicted 6 more weeks of winter. The good news? He’s only right 39% of the time so get ready to burn those socks! Spring is on the way. ICYMI, Here are the Official Accounts for Governor Hogan: Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarryHogan Read the Rest...
January 5, 2015 “The Times They Are A-Changin’” ~ Bob Dylan Come gather ’round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon You’ll be drenched to the bone If your time to you Is worth savin’ Then you better start swimmin’ Or you’ll Read the Rest...
December 15, 2014 Twitter & Shout! Did you know that the Beatles performed a song called Twist & Shout? Yep, it’s on the Please Please Me album released in 1963. I know this seems off topic for my Social Media Monday blog and perhaps it is but crafting today’s twitter tip reminded me of a Read the Rest...
December 8, 2014 Vote for End Hunger in Calvert County! End Hunger in Calvert County, one of the longest-standing members of the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland, is up for a $20,000 grant from Walmart to support their food pantry, Chesapeake Cares. They are the only MD food pantry that is a Read the Rest...
November 24, 2014 Help @MDMVA Host a Successful Live Chat TOMORROW! Please help drive traffic to tomorrow’s live chat session with Administrator Chaffee! Our Maryland MVA has worked hard to use their social media platforms as efficient and responsive customer service channels. Encourage your followers to use #askMDMVA and follow the conversation from noon to Read the Rest...
November 17, 2014 Help us Spread the News: Please encourage your followers to join the @MarylandConnect Thunderclap. Details are below. If you have any questions, reach out to Alison Walker: alison.walker@maryland.gov Change Is Here! Join our Thunderclap at noon this Wednesday, Nov. 19! Hundreds of thousands of Marylanders enrolled in quality health coverage through Maryland’s health insurance marketplace in Read the Rest...
November 10, 2014 Veteran’s Day in Maryland On Tuesday November 11, we will celebrate Veterans Day. November 11 is a date set aside to focus on honoring and thanking our men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. It is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness Read the Rest...
October 27, 2014 Fall Maryland State Social Media Manager’s Meeting Wrap Up Thank you to all who took the time to not only attend our latest conference but to provide feedback on our event. It is my desire to make these meetings opportunities to learn but more importantly chances for you all to connect in Read the Rest...
October 20, 2014 Ebola Responsiveness in Maryland If you receive any messaging regarding the state’s response to Ebola, please refer your followers to the Maryland DHMH Ebola page found here: http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/SIPOR/SitePages/ebola.aspx All official social media messaging regarding Ebola will originate from the DHMH accounts. They are: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarylandDHMH Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarylandDHMH Get out the VOTE! Did Read the Rest...
October 13, 2014 @MarylandDJS goes viral! Learn about this Maryland Department of Juvenile Services success story! ~ Simona Jones Cumberland Maryland is a small town and almost everyone there has heard of a brave young girl fighting cancer for over a year now. Haley House travels from Cumberland to The John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore Read the Rest...
October 6, 2014 Thanks all, for your enthusiastic participation in our Fall Maryland State Social Media Meeting! Look for a wrap up here next week! Help spread the word on the Governor’s Grants Conference! Colleagues, please help with a huge push today and tomorrow to your friends and followers to promote the Governor’s Grants Read the Rest...
September 29, 2014 LAST CALL: Be sure to RSVP for our Maryland State Social Media Managers Meeting THIS FRIDAY. Join us! Maryland State Social Media Manager’s Meeting Friday, October 3rd 8:30 am through 3:30pm Presenters include government representatives from Facebook, HootSuite, and Geofeedia, state social media coordinators from MEMA and SHA, and finally the Read the Rest...
September 22, 2014 Twitter for Government Have you downloaded the new Twitter Government and Elections Handbook? It is an important tool full of tips and strategies for successful messaging on Twitter. Please take the time to review this site as soon as possible and test their suggestions on your own accounts. Join us! Maryland Read the Rest...
September 15, 2014 Reminder! Today (September 15) at 12pm, The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will be hosting a Twitter chat using the hashtag #MDPrepares. MEMA will be facilitating discussion on topics related to National Preparedness Month, including free disaster preparedness tools and resources for Maryland residents and businesses. Participating in a chat is a good way to Read the Rest...
September 8, 2014 Join us! Maryland State Social Media Manager’s Meeting Friday, October 3rd 8:30 am through 3:30pm Free Parking! Presenters include government representatives from Facebook, HootSuite, and Geofeedia, state social media coordinators from MEMA and SHA, and finally the HOCO Police Department PIO, Sherry Llewellyn discussing the Columbia Mall shooting. Please save the date Read the Rest...
September 2, 2014 Get Prepared for Maryland Prepares! Mark your calendars! The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will be hosting a Twitter chat on September 15 from 12pm – 1pm using the hashtag #MDPrepares. MEMA will be facilitating discussion on topics related to National Preparedness Month, including free disaster preparedness tools and resources for Maryland residents Read the Rest...
August 25, 2014 DAY TO SERVE: Are you ready? September 11 – 28th It’s that time of year again when summer vacations end, the kids return to school, and we start focusing on Day to Serve in Maryland. Is your agency participating? Be sure to register your #DayToServe project and pin your event on the Read the Rest...
August 18, 2014 CALLING ALL COMMUNICATORS! STAR-SPANGLED SPECTACULAR WILL BE SPECTACULAR, WITH YOUR HELP By Jill Feinberg, Director of Marketing and Communications, Star-Spangled 200 jfeinberg@starspangled200.com In less than a month all eyes will be on Maryland as we celebrate the 200th National Anthem during Star-Spangled Spectacular, September 10-16, 2014. O Say Can You See! Read the Rest...
August 11, 2014 Summer is coming to a quick end and I have just returned from a wonderfully relaxing vacation in the sun. I am busily catching up on the gazillion emails, no doubt many from some of you, but wanted to share the latest social media news from the previous week. Please take special Read the Rest...
August 4, 2014 StatStat: Share the Partnership Are you an agency working collaboratively with Maryland StateStat? Help us spread awareness for this important program created and implemented by Governor O’Malley. On Twitter, tag @StateStat and on Facebook tag Maryland StateStat. We have been working hard to connect your agencies to our posts so please retweet Read the Rest...
July 28, 2014 Focusing on People: According to the latest Altimeter Group study, companies are focusing more often on social suggesting that direct communications with people are more important that technology. What do you think? Let us know. ***DataBay: “Reclaim the Bay” Challenge (Aug 1- 3) THIS WEEK! Thank you all for your helps so Read the Rest...
July 21, 2014 Are you Verified? Chances are that if you manage a social media network for a state agency you have not had the opportunity to advertise. Most communications departments do not dedicate funds towards social media advertising but those with the ability have been highly successful in both gathering likes and leading people Read the Rest...
July 14, 2014 10 Significant Things You Likely Didn’t Know About Social Media But Should by Work Smart Every now and again someone shares a blog post that needs to be highlighted in this top section rather than lost in the Industry News section below. This short but effective synopsis of recent social media statistics Read the Rest...
July 7, 2014 “You Can’t Be Afraid to Engage” Governments Struggling to Get Social Media Right: Via Governing Rarely do I highlight industry articles in this section of our SMM but this one is worth the read. Pay particular attention to the information presented on the ‘one-government’ approach. Let me know what you think. DataBay: Read the Rest...
Jun 30, 2014 Sharing the Good Stuff! Are you looking for a way to message the positive tweets, post or comments that come through your customer service channels? Perhaps you received an email expressing a job well done or a compliment through your customer care line. Why not create a simple graphic to share the Read the Rest...
Jun 23, 2014 VOTE! In an effort to encourage our citizens to vote in tomorrow’s Primary Election, here are important links from the Maryland State Board of Elections website. Please create appropriate messaging and post throughout today and tomorrow. Basic Election information: http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2014/index.html Who can Vote? http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/index.html Rumor Control: http://www.elections.state.md.us/press_room/rumor_control.html Press releases and statistics: http://www.elections.state.md.us/press_room/index.html?2014_reports Read the Rest...
June 16, 2014 Take a minute to learn more about the changes to Facebook Ads: How Ads Work on Facebook from Facebook on Vimeo. Support StateStat! Are you a StateStat agency or message about the Governor’s 16 strategic goals? Please remember to tag @StateStat on Twitter and Maryland StateStat on Facebook. We are working hard Read the Rest...
Jun 9, 2014 There’s a great deal of news and information in this week’s Social Media Monday. Please take the time to read the brief update on each important state initiative and help us spread the word where possible. Thank you so much for your continued support and let me know if your agency or Read the Rest...
Jun 2, 2014 Operation Hire: Maryland’s 100 Day Veteran Hiring Challenge Began Yesterday! Our military veterans are a treasured resource in the civilian work place. They are well trained and come to our work environments with unequivocal skill sets. Research informs us that veterans are highly loyal and committed, they are adaptable and resilient, and Read the Rest...
May 27, 2014 Nominate Extraordinary Volunteers for the Governor’s Service Awards! The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism (GOSV) is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards. For 30 years, the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards have recognized the significant contributions of Maryland citizens to the life and health of the State and Read the Rest...
May 18,2014 Social Media Customer Service: Are you Connecting? I am often entertained by the genuine surprise and happiness expressed when I solve a problem or help a citizen connect with an agency through one of the social media networks that I manage for the state. The reality is that the bar has been set Read the Rest...
May 12,2014 Bike to Work Day is THIS Friday….and we want YOU to pedal to work! #b2wd We are looking for a big push this week for Bike to Work Day in Maryland! Please use the links below and encourage your fans, followers and friends to strap on their helmets, jump on those two-wheelers and Read the Rest...
April 29, 2014 Webcom is THIS MONDAY! Please register today and join us: Click here to register for the next Webcom meeting. Monday, May 5th 2-4pm MDOT Headquarters (View Map) 7201 Corporate Center Drive Hanover, MD 21076 #48Daysof Blue A message from our friends at the Aquarium: Earth Day is over but the 48 Days of Blue Read the Rest...
April 21, 2014 It’s Earth Week and we are celebrating using #MDEarthDay Please use #MDEarthDay and share the agency messaging when possible today through the end of the weekend. Vote for us at Statescoop: State Innovation of the Year Award MVA’s Online Vision Certification Service has been recognized as a finalist by Statescoop for the Read the Rest...
April 14, 2014 Instagram Has your agency or department established an account on Instagram? @StateMaryland is there! We would like to share yours on Maryland.gov. Please email me and include the link so we can create a new directory for our citizens. Social Media and the New Maryland.gov portal We will be introducing a social Read the Rest...
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