A quick 10-point list.
1.) Don’t start with the tools, start with a strategy describing what you want to acheive.
2.) As can be seen from the graphic on the right (The Conversation Prism by Brian Solis and Jesse Thomas) there are a huge range of tools at your disposal.
3.) The tools are constantly changing. Different demographics prefer different tools.
4.) At the moment the key tools for the External System are probably…
5.) You need to match the message to the tool and to the audience so listening is important.
6.) Some tools are more open than others.
7.) RSS and API’s are key allies in managing the tools.
8.) No-one is really is an expert – here’s a good guide if you are considering hiring a consultant.
9.) Be prepared for unexpected results and for things to take twice as long as you expect. Remeber that people will favourite, tag and share what they see as important rather than what we think is important.
10.) Remember that time costs.
This is part of a series of posts (this is the starting point) which will probably be updated, regularly over the next few months and I’ll be very happy to recieve comments and questions.
Further reading:
campustechnology – Why-Web-2.0-is-Important-to-Higher-Education
Rachel Reuben’s The Use of Social Media in Higher Education for Marketing and Communications: A Guide for Professionals in HigherEducation (pdf)
