Feb 8, 2010
Getting the E-Word Out – Social Media for LGBT Anti-Tobacco
Wondering where I’ve been (I’d like to think so!) — the answer is, since January, mostly learning how to use my new phone I’m an android now, i guess. You know–the mad whirl of a nonprofit trainer leaves so little time for blogging, dahlings. I have been saving some good stuff up, so watch this space!
Just a quick note now to frame some thoughts on prevention in the LGBT community–today Chicago Dept of Health sponsored “Getting the E-Word Out.” (presentation below except for Gustavo and Simone’s darn it–hey guys send me your slides!). Also fair warning, they are slightly mangled as everyone had their own backgrounds and i just dumped all into one slide deck.
Panelists included:
Gustavo Torrez, Program Manager, National LGBT Tobacco Control Network
Christine Cupaiuolo, Social Media Consultant
Lovette Ajayi, The Red Pump Project for HIV Awareness (& CMW of course)
Jim Pickett, Director of Advocacy AIDS Foundation of Chicago & founder of LifeLube
Simone Koehlinger, Director, Office of LGBT Health, Chicago Department of Public Health
Insights from the panel
Plus ça change: In a quick 3-finger salute (ie, hold up 1 finger if you’re a newbie, 2 if you’re comfy w/social media, 3 if you should be leading the class) the vast preponderance of the 40-person crowd pegged themselves at “2.” Now that’s a change from a year ago, I thought. Alright, so it’s not a powerful insight, but still: we’re a long way up from last year!
Social media is a new way to use old methods: This was a fairly small community: most everyone in the room knew of the organizations that others were form, but most did not know a lot of others in the room. So, it was a great hammer-home point when we had them chat with each other about how they heard about the workshop and why they decided to come. About half the room pointed to one of the organizers (Simone). Everyone else who spoke up–we heard from about a half-dozen folks–when asked why they came talked about– a specific individual who suggested they come. It really made clear that the new tools are still about the same old relationships.
Five Ws and an H, 2.0: Finally, I really, really liked a particular slide from Christine Cupaiuolo’s presentation. She uses the old 5Ws and an H formula (you remember those, don’t you?) to create five new Ws to frame a conversation about what how to decide what social media platform to use:
- Why are we doing this? (Goals)
- What are we going to do? (Tactics)
- Who are we trying to reach? (Community)
- Where are we going to do it? (Networks)
- When are we going to do it (Time)
- + HOW ([Can we get someone to] Help?)
There you have it… I’m back! Oh, bonus insight: this format works well, but as another attendee pointed out, the action is in what happens next: how are participants able to operationalize what they learned and take advantage of it all. Hopefully will be able to be back blogging soon with some answers to that question. Do you remember what helped you move from contemplating social media to actually playing around with it? What was the best first tip you received?
Update: Gustavo Torrez Social Media Presentation is here!
Thanks for this summary Gordon! I enjoyed presenting, and the interaction with the participants. There is so much desire out there to maximize the potential of new social media. One of the things that stuck with me, and I hope sticks with everyone else, is that there is NO RIGHT WAY to do this. In fact, there are multiple ways to engage with these technologies – and the right way is the way that works for you. I think we can all become paralyzed if we worry about how others are doing things. It is really up to each of us to find the perfect recipe! That said, I am happy to offer more advice to anyone who wants it – as long as they take it with a big, old fashioned, grain of salt