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Do Librarians Dream of Electric Tweets? Making the most of blogs & microblogging
This document discusses the significance of blogging and microblogging in a professional context, particularly for librarians. It outlines how these tools can enhance communication, promote engagement, and foster professional networks while addressing potential concerns and benefits for organizations. Additionally, it provides strategies for creating effective posts and tweets to maximize impact and reader engagement.
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Do Librarians Dream of Electric Tweets? Making the most of blogs & microblogging
- 1. Making the mostof blogs & microblogging12 May 2010Gareth J Johnson, Document Supply & Repository ManagerUniversity of LeicesterDo Librarians Dream of ElectricTweets?Image: http://www.officialpsds.com/Twitter-Bird-3-PSD31850.html
- 2. Highlights TodayWhat isblogging and microblogging â and why does it matter?Making the most of blogging and microbloggingExperiences and applicationsThe good, the bad and the uglyâŚand please tweet away using #ustlghashtag
- 3. Leicester UniversityTop 20in all National tables91% student satisfaction rate6th Highest citations rates relative to size23,000 students41% Distance LearnersAround 1000 academic staff93% submitted for RAE â0887% determined to be producing internationally significant research4 CollegesMoved from faculty structure this academic year
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- 7. 1M+ volumes onshelves
- 8. 350 PCs +wireless network
- 9. 13 Group studyrooms
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- 11. 2 IT trainingsuites
- 12. Also houses Careers,Accessibility & Student Learning Deptswww.le.ac.uk/li/about/building/factsandfigures.htm
- 13. Jargon BustingPostTo senda microblog message or upload an entry onto a blog.TweetA single twitter posted message (or synonymous with post)Retweet (RT)To re-send another personâs messageSocial networkingInteraction in the Web 2 world, generally not mediated or closed and outside Organisation 1.0 communication routesCrowdsourcingTo solve a problem or resolve a task through offering it (out-sourcing) to the world at large for input
- 14. What Social NetworkingIs & IsnâtIsnât
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- 20. Everything itâs crackedup to beIsDynamicInterrogativeSocial (usually)Public (mostly)Organisation 2.0Buzzwordtastic
- 21. Blogs vs TwitterTwitter(microblogging)ShortInstantaneousEphemeralLinks & text1 core site, many appsBlogsAny length
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- 24. Text, links &media
- 25. Many core sites,many appsSee video references for broader examples
- 26. What Use AreThey?Because they offer powerful professional toolsAnswering queries and enquiriesProfessional updatingSharing experiences and ideasDeveloping and maintaining professional networksWhy should my organisation use them?Benefit to staff developmentStaff motivation and satisfactionPromotion and visibility in a new arenaPerceptions of engaging with new technologies &readers
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- 28. BlogsMature and respectedtechnologiesStill powerful if less sexyUseful for promotion, sharing experiences, reflective practice & crowdsourcingForm a knowledge based resource over timee.g conference or project reportsCan be an easier sell to senior managementWell established and almost mainstreamCan answer marketing or advocacy needs
- 29. Planning for GreatBlogsReadershipTarget audience & developing return visitsNiche or broad in scopeToneAuthoritative or informalCasual or wordyAccessible or specialistEye candyLook and feel of the UI and visitor experienceCorporate branding & design rulesPromotionCross promote where ever you can (A.B.M!)
- 30. Build a BetterPostMessage & LengthClarity and purpose of each postCrowdsource a challenge seeking inputPromote activities and build attentionRegularityUse a themed series of postsKeep them coming to keep attentionRainy day postsConversationRespond to comments & add value through insightsDevelop a community of practice
- 31. What Makes aGood Post?ScholarlyEngagingChallengingReadableInformativeNovelQuestioningKnowledgeableReflectiveStructuredInsightfulAny good post should meet a least three of these areas
- 32. UoL Library BlogStyle& purposeInformal but professional toneTarget audience of library and institutionStarted quietly to gain voiceWent public after a monthCore of authors although all invitedExternal cloud based platform (WordPress)High customisabilityLow technical requirements
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- 35. TwitterProfessional networks andnetworkingâEnhanced my professional networks more in 2 years than CILIP has in 15âInvolvement in local projects and communitySelf-selected for engagers and enthusiastsA resource for enquiry resolutionFriendlier & more engaged than mailing listsInstantaneous feedback & crowdsourcingCross pollination of blogging & other endeavoursAre people talking about your service?Search on #tags, monitor twitterfall or saved searchesHow often are your messages retweeted?
- 36. What Makes aGood TweetBe responsive
- 37. Be part ofthe conversation
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- 41. Donât feed thetrolls
- 42. Walk away, block,unfollowBe Human Be prepared to share, honestlyDonât simply Automate OK as part of a feedKeep it frequent Once a day ainât enoughMix your media Twitpic, YouTube, Flickr, Blip.fm etc
- 43. Followers & FollowingInitiallypick from a trusted sourcePhil Bradley maintains a list of librariansPersonal recommendations, conferences etcFollowing rules of thumbThose who follow youThose who talk about things that interest youThose who reply or retweet youIndividuals of particular interestDonât have to follow to make an @ replyBut do for Direct Messages (DM)
- 44. Tracking the ConversationTwitterFall for live back channelTwapper Keeper stores #tag threadsWordle capturing the sentiment of a #tag feedTweet Deck allows multiple groupings of followersTwhirl & Echofon simple but powerful email-like twitter clientFriendFeed and Twitter Lists
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- 47. When Worlds Collide!!!SocialNetworking is hereBut it can also be here
- 48. Concerns & BrickbatsConcernsover staff timeCompare/contrast with email implementation or the telephone!Over stepping the markConcerns over splitting personal from professionalBe prepared for a slap down from someone somewhere sometimeTechnology concernsGetting a twitter client installedIsnât email good enough?Services blocked or restrictedStalkers and hidden followersWhen openness bites you in the ass
- 49. Convincing ManagementJustifying itto senior managementâIt isnât suitable for US!â, âItâs just anther tool I have to learnâ, âIt might go away tomorrowâCan be the hardest battle.Prepare to make an business case or informal argumentPoint to established peers or exemplarsTry the following argumentsI using it to monitor sentiment about our library! I using it to to keep an eye on our competitors!I using it to handle customer service/enquiries! I using it to network with other librarians and academics! I using it to promote our library/service! I using it as a cost-neutral service marketing tool!
- 50. Final ThoughtsBlogs µblogs can fulfil different needsConsider your audience(s) & evaluate your current communication channelsWhat works for us might not work for youShare your experiences openlyFind what fits your needs and ethosBe frequent, be responsive and avoid auto-responsesBetter to start small and often, than big and staticExperiment with all â donât commit to oneShare this out across a teamGo where your core audience isDonât expect them to come to where you are goingThe Leicester Web 2.0 Community
- 51. Gareth J Johnson,DS&R ManagerEmail: [email protected] Tel: extn 0116-252-2039Web 2.0: llordllamaWeb 1: http://tinyurl.com/cfuhdzQuestions?Contacts & Questions
- 52. References5 Excuses forusing Twitter at Workhttp://twittown.com/social-networks/twitter/twitter-blog/five-excuses-using-twitter-workBleeting definitionhttp://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bleetingBradley, P. (2009) What is twitter? Twitter for librarians, http://www.philb.com/twitter.htmBritish Librarians on Twitter, http://tweepml.org/100-British-Librarians-on-Twitter/Briggs, D. (2010) Learning Poolâs Free Twitter Guide, http://bit.ly/lptwitterContrasting Blogs, Twitter & Library News (video), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1nJQKsLgM0
- 53. ReferencesExplaining Twitter Simply(video), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4__htJ-IdUJohnson, Gareth. (2009) The unspoken rules of blogging, CILIP Gazette, 14th August 2009Leicester UoL Web 2.0 Communityhttp://tinyurl.com/yjznum2Pettey & Tudor (2010) Gartner Reveals Five Social Software Predictions for 2010 and Beyond, http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1293114Talk slides, www.slideshare.net/GazJJohnsonUoL Library Bloghttp://uollibraryblog.wordpress.com
Editor's Notes
- #5Â About the award winning DWL LibraryXXX staffFocus on research collections and support, although considerable