Group+1+Journal


 * Beth's Journal**


 * January, 2012 - Learning Culmination**


 * Summary of Reflection**

//**What did they learn, what changed?**//


 * Improved Facebook content strategy. Ask more questions, post different types of media, promote fb page on more channels,. More interactivity, more creativity, better teaser headlines, framing content for local audience,etc.
 * More consistent posting on FB than in the past
 * Commenting and participating on other FB pages of aligned partners
 * The importance of making a commitment to social media so it doesn't drop off your to do list
 * The importance of dedicated time to focus on measurement to help you hone your content strategy
 * Measurement helped reduced our fears about posting on controversial issues
 * Editorial calendar to give you a framework so you're not struggling every day, but flexible enough to post about news worthy items
 * Measurement has helped them discover that their audience responses to good news
 * To expand our reach, we need to continually develop new and interesting content. Since I started posting each week, our facebook page has increased by over 700 fans. Moving forward, I want to continue learning from what content works and what doesn't, and how to increase the virility of posts
 * Must start with a solid foundation (social media policy, SMART, then content plan...etc).


 * Practice Changes**

"Although I struggled to make time for facebook given my workload, I think I learned about the potential to use facebook to engage our network of supporters, excited about all the new ideas shared, next step is to go back and look again at ways to build facebook strategy into our campaign efforts."

"I learned about focus and scheduling. I learned how to reduce the chaos of social media into a more orderly fashion. It helps to have a menu of options for each day to choose from and simplify things. I will learn more about Insights and continue to ask what is working on each post. I use task reminders in Google calendar, and also mentally check-in to see if I've accomplished what I needed to."

"Plan what you want to say, have fun and reflect. Content planning schedule has been invaluable. It's not as hard as before, and I schedule more things by habit so there's less pressure. Goals and variety are key too."

"We were more organized about bench-marking; a top priority is to have a full-fledged social media strategy. Got more staff inovlved in posting, and trained them a little on how to craft post for best shareability. We put social media as a standing item on our Mon morning communications team meetings."

" I think the peer group has really taken away some of the sense of being overwhelmed; the structure, points of focus, and specific tools you've provided have really helped."

"The consistent monthly time to reflect about learning skills was invaluable"

"We plan to continue internal discussions of staffing/management commitments and convert one Wednesday brown bag per month to metrics and social media."


 * Program Feedback**


 * Action learning project versus homework after each session, make it a campaign plan on FB
 * Assign learning partners within organizations or pair up members of the group. Creates accountability
 * Participants present
 * Keep using examples from other nonprofit success stories
 * Keep the discussions going on the calls, very valuable
 * Keep the simplified lists
 * Design for different learning styles, some what more traditional (e.g. a handbook) versus wiki
 * Pacing was perfect
 * Consider session every 3 weeks, but not longer time in-between

It is easy to adopt and start "doing" social media as an individual. Harder to create a social media "culture" - establishing the time/resources, commitment, discipline to do it well is a challenge. The many practical tools and skills provided over the last 6 months are like a treasure trove - especially coupled with Beth's blog posts and articles which give them meaning and purpose, so gives me confidence we can adopt them or adapt them. This prompted us to establish brownbag lunches once a week to do skillsbuilding.


 * Future topics:**
 * Multi-channel content campaigns
 * How to adapt content and engagement for different social media platforms


 * January 6, 2012**

Debriefing notes from the Insights Exercise

AAIP used the journal approach regularly: http://measure-netnon.wikispaces.com/AAPIP_Group-1
 * Notes on Wiki Journals**


 * December, 2011**

This session and method of how to get insights from your FB stats seemed particularly engaging []


 * November, 2011**

Incorporating action learning projects. I feel strongly that the peer groups need to be more than information only. Need an action learning project.

Some ideas, but it takes more time .. -hire an assistant to do the ta part inbetween meetings -another meeting that is simply to ask and answer people's specific questions -connect to FB group

The importance of early wins. Having some easy homework on the front end and that shows some results is helpful and keeps people motivated. I noticed that session 3 and 4 people did not volunteer to talk to debrief the assignments. Here time and priorities got in the way of doing homework, so not much to reflect on for those. There was a need to be inspirational and encouraging at the session. I think there could be interaction in between sessions. I tried to do on the Facebook group, but maybe needs some one-on-one outreach. If I were to do this again, I'd bring in an assistant who can not only co-moderate sessions, but follow up with office hours or email advice individually.
 * October, 2011**

The organizations that did not have a consumer or grass consistuency - those in group 1a, got frustrated more. Struggles with: Is Facebook the right way to reach their audience? Perhaps not for all audiences. Need to explore other ways to do a beginner group. Would another channel work? LinkedIn? Twitter?

Group 1a: Twitter Experiment Group 1b: LinkedIn Experiment Group 1c: Measurement Tools This would help organization experiment and learn new platforms that come up - and introduce them to measurement tools. Not be an action learning experiment?
 * Some preliminary ideas:**


 * September, 2011**

Very important to do reviews from the last week. When people were not easily able to talk, I discovered they were not able to do all the homework. That's okay. So, made sure that I was reviewing content and giving permission to go back and to move forward - the pace is important. Not to overwhelm folks and also not to go too slow.

Wondering if the design of the peer groups could be fast-paced vs slow-paced.


 * August 26, 2011**

Need for a clearer example of mapping: Intent --> SMART objectives --> Benchmark for context ---> Picking Metric ---> Picking Tool Show for each intent with a specific example Value of SMART objective: -Makes you think about you're going to reach your goal -Use a tool to get buy-in from staff, senior management, volunteers, or champions - also to motivate progress -Concerns about picking a number Takeaway: The focus should be on beginning and sustaining a measurement habit and having that happen with baby steps first, then expand Add: Links to Tools, with basic definition of metrics

August 22, 2011

28 out of 35 organizations have written something in their journal


 * Intent: Why Improve Facebook Practice**

To engage and build relationships with audience To provide meaningful content about our campaigns To build our base of supporters To support and energize key stakeholders and champions in closed/private groups To amplify word of mouth and personal recommendations of our work To communicate and connect with supporters To engage and support members To reach and acquire new members To support our aligned partners by providing content for their campaigns and attention to their work To create more dialogue with our donors and grantees To raise visibility of our work/brand awareness To connect with more staff members of our member organizations To reach more visitors and members To communicate and connect with donors, volunteers, advocates, clients and former clients. To engage a younger set of donors and inspire them to advocate for our organization


 * Social Media Policy**