Social Media and H1N1

Social Media and H1N1

Using Social Media to Manage Your Message

Kate FowlieCommunications Officer

Contra Costa Health Services

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Bridging the Gaps: Public Health and Radiation Emergency Preparedness Conference 2011

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Why Social Media?What H1N1 showed us:

•It’s where the people are•Access large audience quickly•Viral (in a good way)•We need to be there to communicate our message•Inexpensive and easy to use

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Positive FeedbackJun 11, 2009 

“I found that the CoCo County has a profile just for the Health Services Dept….Sometimes I am surprised at the adoption of social media by government…I wouldn’t have expected the Contra Costa County to have a Twitter account. Good for you CoCo County!”

  -Tweet by local blogger with 3,373 followers

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What CCHS Uses & How• Podcasts• Twitter• Facebook• Blogs• YouTube

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Visits to Flu Pages on CCHS Website

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Visits to Cold Weather Tips on CCHS Website Following Tweet

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Adopting Social Media• Deciding What to Use• How to Use it• Have a strategy & policy • Monitor activity/respond

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Challenges and Barriers• Staff time• Keep it fresh• Increased exposure (taking the good with the

bad)• Appropriate use• Doesn’t replace traditional outreach

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Getting the Most Out of Your Social Media

• Coordinate your social media• Return the favor• Promote your social media (on website, in press

releases, factsheets, etc.)

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More information

CCHS Website: cchealth.orgTwitter: http://twitter.com/CoCoHealth Facebook: Contra Costa Health Servicesmashable.comsocialmediagovernance.com

[email protected]

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