Social media can greatly improve communication, deliver constituent services, help optimize processes, and aid response to emergencies within your community. It can also allow public sector organization employees to be more accountable, transparent, and open. Along with the benefits comes increased awareness of security, privacy, and records management challenges on social media.

A solid social media strategy can help your organization and departments connect with the community in an easy, time and cost-effective manner that most people can access. The strategy doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether this is your first time developing a social media strategy, or you already have one in place, remember to keep it simple. Here are a few things to consider while developing or rounding-out your strategy:

• Available social media tools and capabilities
• Internal policies and approvals
• External requirements for preserving records and responding to information requests
• Your organization’s overall objectives and the needs of the community