Using social media

The term "social media" covers a broad range of tools including blogs, podcasts, social networks, wikis, picture sharing, video and social bookmarking. The term started to be used when it was realised that these new interactive tools were not just about information, but were social; a way to bring people together through the internet.

Using social media in your campaigning and influencing work can help you to:

  • Create a dialogue with your supporters, beneficiaries, colleagues, campaigners and opposition alike;

  • Reach people quickly and react to developments as they happen;

  • Give access at times that suit the user;

  • Share your own ideas and experiences as well as those of your supporters and beneficiaries;

  • Tap into the expertise of your supporters.

These web pages are designed to help you to get started with some new media tools. It will provide links to what tools that may be able to help you with the following key campaign planning stages.

Click here for an online guide to Integrating Social Media, produced by NCVO in conjunction with ourselves. It contains most of the information included on these pages. You might also find it useful to refer to the WCVA Promotion & Marketing Information Sheet on New and Social Media in the Voluntary Sector.