Three major players have enlisted social media in the communications battle covering the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill: BP, grass-roots opponents to BP, and the U.S. government. Each is demonstrating, in its own way, the power and importance of social media in a crisis.
The U.S. Government is taking a staid, but open social media approach to the crisis
The video that appears above is one of many being created and shared by the U.S. federal government on a YouTube channel, DeepwaterHorizonJIC.
As to the purpose of the channel, a statement explains:
A United Commandhas been established to manage response operations to the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident. A Unified Command links the organizations responding to an incident and provides a forum for those organizations to make consensus decisions. This site is maintained by the Unified Commands Joint Information Center (JIC), which provides the public with reliable, timely information about the response.
Addressing the site's comment/posting moderation policy, the site states:
We will not accept comments that contain personal attacks of any kind; contain offensive terms that target specific ethnic or racial groups; or contain vulgar language. We will also not post comments that are spam, are clearly off topic, or that promote services or products.
A comment posted by the site'smoderator, included an invitation to visitors with suggestions to follow a link where suggestions should be posted:
I've actually seen some pretty good ideas on here, but I'm only a layperson. If you have an idea on how to solve this problem, please visit the following page and follow instructions to submit your idea. Thanks! http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/546759/
YouTube is just one social media network being being used by the U.S. government to address the crisis. It has also enlisted: Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter. Clearly there is an effort to show a government hard at work.
Explicitly, at least, for the U.S. government, its social media engagment aims at providing:
1. the public with "reliable, timely information about the response"
2. organizations tasked with the clean-up a forum "to make consensus decisions"
From the comment moderation, visitors are also being encouraged to share their ideas on how best to respond to the spill.
1. In a crisis, social media requires that key players share the latest information, good and bad; social media pages must be updated as major news develops: it is essential for credibility, authenticity, and transparency
Even after the much-anticipated and touted "top kill" response wasdeemed a failure, BP's YouTube page continued to feature a cheery message from the BP CEO announcing that he had "just left the control room....The operation is proceeding as we planned it." Huh?!
Another video on BP's YouTube channel shows a BP crew of workers and volunteers arriving at a beach clean-up site, with a voice over noting that BP has described its clean-up operation as a "military-style operation." On this day, BP sent its troops to one of the locations not feature in most of the news clips, as its deployment was to an area with only small "patches" of contamination "widely spread out." While the video is plainly professionally produced, its content, which unmistakably attempts to minimize the magnitude of the disaster, only widens BP's credibilty gap as it is so completely at odds with the images of environmental disaster streaming across all other media. It helps explain why the channel has only mustered twenty subscribers.
2. Social media participants must share a real picture of what is taking place during a crisis; their failure to do so on one front calls into question everything else that they do decide to share
Looking at the collection of photos uploaded at thebpAmerica Flickr stream, one might think that BP's work crews had been sent to the wrong beaches and waters, as the ones shown in their photographs have shining white sand and clear waters. Certainly one would expect BP to include in its Flickr stream shots showing its clean-up efforts, but in the world of social media, especially during a crisis, viewers expect to be given a candid picture of the crisis at hand, not simply a glossy best look. Not so with the the BP Flickr stream.
Nicely-polished productions and squeeky-clean images are precisely the sort of content that makes board members smile - and the rest of the public go elsewhere for their information.
3. When a key player in a crisis disregards the rules of transparency and timeliness, other players will dominate the field
Claiming to be a "grass roots" response to BP spill, theBOYCOTTbp Facebook page has a simple call to action: "Boycott BP stations until the spill is cleaned up!..."
While the BOYCOTTbpFacebook page includes only a handful of images posted by the site administrator, they, too, are powerful in their simplicity. Fans have posted over 1,000 images.
While the office BP Facebook page has 3,283 fans, the opposing page, BOYCOTTbp has 214,685.
The Twitter spoof account, complete with its own leaking version of the bp logo, has been masterful in its flow of scathing commentary.
Among its most recent tweets:
Feeling down? Why not take a long drive and blow off some steam? #bpcares
We are very upset that Operation: Top Kill has failed. We are running out of cool names for these things.
More than an expression of anger is at work in the disparity of the number of fans or followers separating the opposing social media camps: it reflects a gap in credibility.
First three are from the DeepWaterHorizon Flickr photo stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49889869@N07/ Second two are from the BPAmerica Flickr photo stream The photo of the dolphin is from the BOYCOTTbp Facebook page.
*Recognizing the dynamic nature of social media, numbers of followers or fans, ect., cited in this post, were accurate as of the writing of the post but can be expected to change with time.
In the land of Twitter, you are known by what you tweet Finding and sharing great content is the key to establishing yourself as a thought leader in the arena of social media. Here are some Twitter tips on how to find and share great content:
1. Do a Twitter search of users to identify and follow thought leaders in your niche.
Once you've decided what field you would like to establish yourself as a leader in on Twitter, do a Twitter search of users and begin following those who are already sharing content in the space. Listen to what they are saying and how they are saying it and follow their lead. Check in on them regularly to keep abreast of the latest content and share what you consider to be best. Retweeting the latest content from thought leaders is a great way to develop your niche, as well as an easy way to get the attention of and connect with established thought leaders.
2. Create and save Twiter searches for your niche.
Twitter lets you set up and save searches. Create some permanent search topics and check them regularly for good content. Retweet the best of what you find.
3. Create a Twitter List of content stars
Twitter lists are an easy way of keeping track of great curators of information, i.e., people who consistently find and share great content. As you come across users who consistently share great content, add them to your content star list and regularly check in on what they're tweeting. You will learn much and have much to share as well! (OK, I must confess that this is the only list of mine that I keep private. Seems I've read that you shouldn't give away all your secrets...You will find that a good group of Twitter content curators will quickly best the content you may have found previously using Google alerts.)
4. Set up Google alerts
Creating several Google Alerts related to your field is a great way to identify and share original content. You can let the story items pile up and pick through them at your leisure - though keep in mind that the live-stream, real-time nature of news today gives added points to those who share great content first. Use terms in your search that will narrow the results and focus your niche.
5. Create an AllTop account
This one step should help you enormously in staying on top of the latest developments in your niche: go to AllTop and set up your own niche listening post; the site makes easy the process of tracking the best articles on the web. Look for AllTop pages set up by thought leaders in your field to see what they are reading on a regular basis. It's how I start my morning: http://AllTop.com/GlenDGilmore
6. StumbleUpon great content
I'm a fan of StumbleUpon, a site where users identify what they believe to be the best content on the web. The site let's you set up your account to focus you on your own areas of interest. Add a toolbar to your web page and when you need a break from your work, stumble. You'll find some really great content to share!
Now be sure to folllow me on Twitter at @TrendTracker and share in the Comments suggestions you may have for finding that great content! Thanks! Glen (aka, TrendTracker)
I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train. ~ Oscar Wilde
Phuket, Thailand
It doesn't matter how often you've traveled, it's a good idea to run through a checklist before you go.
There are a ton of apps that make travel easier and more interesting. I'd simply recommend you search your destination in the app store to see what the latest and best recommended might be. (Do get a basic learn-the-language one: even the worst attempt at speaking the local language usually brings a smile and warmer welcome.) Do be sure to have a cloud service like DropBox or Evernote to access your documents wherever you go and Skype to call home. (Good idea to add a scan of your important documents: passport, any medical records, etc.)
Do also figure out where your nation's embassy is where you'll be visiting and even considering registering with them if your destination is a little dicey.
Hope my list helps and I hope you can add to it!
Travel Checklist:
__ Plane ticket (Just double check!)
__ Passport/visas
__ Driver's license (I've never been asked to show an "international" driver's license to rent a car overseas.)
__ Credit cards (Bring more than one in case one suddenly no longer works, which can happen when your travel itinerary is overseas and the fraud department gets nervous.)
__ Notify your credit card companies you are heading overseas so fraud protection doesn't close you down.
__ Carry separately a copy of your passport, credit card numbers and credit card company phone numbers. (When your wallet and passport go missing, you'll be glad you took this precaution.)
__ Read up on where you're going and where best to exchange currency.
__ Shots? Vaccines? Talk to your doctor.
__ Prescriptions for contacts, medications.
__ Medical evacuation insurance (You'll be glad you have it if you encounter a serious injury. I succeeded in fracturing my pelvis on a parachute jump in the Netherlands and the not-too-expensive insurance got me a flight back to the States with a private nurse at my side, with the final leg of the journey covering me as the sole passenger on a stretcher in a plane to my home state.)
__ Cell phone, charger and back-up battery (Add camera if you're not using your cell phone for photos) (Got a Kensington mini-battery for my iPhone for my last trip and loved it; unsponsored endorsement!)
__ Arrange overseas travel discount plan for your phone
__ Stop or have someone pick up mail and newspapers
__ Pet care
__ Plant care
__ ID destination wifi areas and Internet cafes before you go.
__ Weather reports for destination
__ Travel guide (ID your must-do sites, eateries, activities in advance: map em out and schedule them)
__ Do a Twitter search of your destination; ask questions
__ Accommodation reservations or options (check for wifi)
__ Compact language guide (sure you can download one into your smartphone, but I still prefer a small paperback)
__ Earplugs
__ Compact speaker to enjoy your music without your headphones
__ Know how you're getting to/from the airport (home and abroad)
__ First Aid kit
__ Toiletries (include toilet paper roll)
__ Sandals/flip-flops (essential if you're hosteling and using community showers)
__ Sunscreen
__ Bathing Suit (always look for a chance to swim!)
__ Zip lock bags (great for keeping electronics dry if you're not carrying an umbrella)
__ Compact umbrella (ok, I skip this)
__ Lightweight hiking raincoat (a must)
__ Netbook, mouse, charger (Be sure to have GoogleDocs, DropBox, or Evernote and Skype.)
__ 3-outlet wall plug mount (Crucial in an airport where outlet space is in big demand: you can ask someone to unplug their device from the wall, then give them a outlet, keeping two for yourself!)
__ Daypack cushioned for netbook
__ Electric converters
__ Gym attire
__ Waterproof watch
__ Reading material (I always pack a few books, preferably paperbacks, so that when dependable delays occur, I'm still happy.)
__ Pen (yes, I'm digital, but a pen still comes in handy!), highlighters (I like to highlight what I read - prefer paperbacks when I travel; put em inside a ziplock bag)
__ E-mail yourself important documents and presentations (Primitive, I know, but it works!)
__ Business cards in a zip-lock bag
__ Gift for hosts, new friends
Oh, and if you forget something, not to worry, someone is bound to have what you forgot!
In the aftermath of the recent Tennessee floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) teamed up to put Facebook to the task of assisting in the disaster recovery, announcing, "an online hub for collaborative information-sharing through Facebook for the response and recovery to severe weather and flooding in Tennessee."
TNDisasterInfo on Facebook hosts an online community where those affected by the disaster and those active in the response can share information. FEMA and TEMA, as well as their federal, state, and local and voluntary agency partners are posting recovery tips and updates, including shelter locations and details on how to access disaster assistance. FEMA and TEMA will also upload videos and photos from the affected area.
1. "Official" social media accounts created by governmental agencies can become a leading hub for sharing critical information.
As was done by FEMA and TEMA following the Tennessee floods, social media can be harnessed by governmental agencies to create a hub for sharing critical information. Victims and those interested in helping them, are eager to find reliable sources of information, especially where they can share their own information or requests. Social networks have become the primary forum for sharing information. "Official" accounts give governmental agencies a chance to better participate in the online conversations taking place. Over 2,000 people became friends of the FEMA/TEMA Tennesseee Facebook site, with many more visiting.
2. Social media beats traditional media in reporting news first; people flock to social networks in time of crisis; social media provides information before traditional media or relief workers can get to the scene of a disaster
Everyone is familiar with the iconic photograph of the airliner downed in the Hudson. Few realize that the first and likely most-viewed photograph of the downed plane was not taken by Pulitzer prize-winning photographer from a major news network, but a guy on Twitter, @jkrums, who took the the photograph with his cell phone, then uploaded the picture to Twitter, where it quickly crossed the globe, shared by social network users eager to pass on viral content.
Twitter Earthquake Detection
More recently, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, this year, the Nielson rating company reported that Twitter became the primary source for information and buzz about the Hait earthquake.
In April of 2010, when a Tornado struck an Arkansas community, it was Twitter that once again outpaced traditional media in the flow of information.
Using Social Media to Weather the Storm during Hurricane Season
Citizen Journalists and Community Leaders
Very simply, any traditional news outlet or relief agency just can't compete with a worldwide army of citizen journalists who never sleep! These citizen journalists are everywhere and will be on the scene when a disaster strikes. They will have the best first-hand information and pass on critical information to those who know how to listen.
Community leaders who understand the prowess of social media can also be expected to play a role far greater than they ever have by their direct assess to social networks.
3. Social media networks are dynamic: the content can be updated in real-time, from diverse users, to share the latest information about real needs and progress
In the aftermath of Katrina, needs went unanswered for too long. While bottled water began to stockpile, baby food was in short supply. Disaster victims can use social media disaster-recovery sites to inform disaster responders to real needs, not imagined ones.
Relief agencies, for their part, can use social networks to keep updated victims on supply deliveries, information on when utilities or other essential services will be restored. Social networks are ideal for dynamic information sharing.
On the Tennessee Facebook set up in the aftermath of the most recent flooding, FEMA and TEMA also included videos showing the recovery efforts and showcasing the volunteers. Updates on the recovery efforts are important not only to the victims and their families, but to volunteers and relief workers who are asked to accomplish daunting tasks under the most trying conditions.
4. Social networks can be used to direct victims on where to go to file claims and seek assistance
Social network pages set up by official disaster response agencies can help eliminate the guesswork as to where victims should go to file claims. They can be used to include required forms that can downloaded and brought to the sites to quicken the processing of claims. Updating assistance center locations and hours is also helpful.
5. Social networks can be used to enlist, direct, inspire and thank volunteers
A constant in most disasters is the need for volunteers. Social media, by its sheers and viral nature, can be used to enlist volunteers for a variety of tasks. It can also provide the information voluteers need to safely and efficiently serve. Photos and videos of the work of volunteers can be used to inspire those volunteering their talents, as well as others who might be interested in helping too. It's also a great way to let volunteers know that their work is appreciated. On the Tennessee site, visitors to the Facebook page made it a point to share words of thanks to the workers.
6. Social Media covers the story when major media chooses not to or is unable to do so
Tennessee Flooding: Media Missing
Inexplicably, major media gave short shrift to news concerning the most recent, devastating floods in Tennessee, leaving many residents bewildered and without critical information when it was needed most. Many messages on Twitter reflected this gap in news coverage, with network users complaining that the only consistent and current news they were getting on the flooding was from Twitter. When the attention of major news outlets is elsewhere, social networks can fill the breach with real-time information.
Iranian Election Crisis: Media Banned
During the height of the Iran election protests, major media found itself banned by the Iranian government from going to the areas of the country where massive protests were taking place. Major media responded, at first, by largely ignoring the crisis, until the social network users created such a din about the lack of traditional media coverage that the networks ultimately responded by sharing the news pouring out of the forbidden zones through social networks, largely Twitter. It became next to impossible to watch either CNN or Fox news for more than a brief period without hearing "Twitter" updates being mentioned several times.
7. Social Networks are reliable mediums for conveying important information far, wide, and quickly
"Hah, gottcha! What about the Twitter 'fail whale' and all the spam accounts?!"
Ah, the dreaded "fail whale." Actually, the "fail whale" icon, used by Twitter to let its users know that the network is experiencing a problem, does appear more often than users would like to see it, but its appearance is generally pretty brief, usually a matter of seconds or minutes at most.
As to spam, most social networks have gotten much better at eliminating spam and regular users of social networks are also pretty adept at differentiating between genuine and spam accounts and messages
Additionally, regular users of social media also develop a base of trusted users. How trustworthy can user-generated content really be though? How trustworthy is Wikipedia? Ask Britannica.
"What about spreading news 'far, wide, and quickly?" If relief agencies take the time to really engage in social media, i.e., share information, follow others, comment, retweet links from other users, etc., they will develop a network that they will be able to trust and that will trust them in return. The benefit? If a disaster were to occur, they could target critical information around the world.
How? An example, if Twitter user @GlenGilmore were to have information that was important to disseminate, he would know that he could turn to his network of Twitter users, send a message with a request that it be "retweeted" (shared by them to their own networks) and also DM them (direct message; a private message) power user (those with large networks of followers who are generally responsive) with an urgent message asking that they share a particular message. With a trusted network of Twitter friends, @GlenGilmore knows that he can DM a core of social media influencers (users with high and responsive followings) and have an important message sent to over a million Twitter accounts within minutes.
An important message could even be targeted geographically. He could send it to a large base of power communicators in France via @JeanLucr, another base of users in California via Zaibatsu, another base in India via @ParmitJNathan, Malaysia via @AskAaronLee, etc. Now the is undoubtedly an overlap of users and where a social media communicator is geographically based may not fully reflect the breadth of the communicator's base, but one could reasonably conclude that a significant core of followers will have a geographic connection to the communicator. Geographic targeting could also be gauged by the sort of content regularly shared by the communicator. The end result of such targeted messaging is that a power communicator in the social media sphere can pretty confidently get a message delivered to over a million other accounts worldwide simply by asking the key communicators within his or her own trusted circle of users.
8. Social networks help in reaching those who are often difficult to reach
Blogging about his own conclusions after being on Twitter "a few months," Ontario Disaster Management Director of the Canadian Red Cross, in his post, "Twittering about Emergency Preparedness," offered:
"I can already see the benefits. The audience that I engage with there are the group hardest to get with the preparedness message. Upward mobile, professionals between ages 30 – 45 are busy with their career, dating, family, mortgages, etc. "
To the point, Saunders, aka, @CRCSaunders on Twitter, wrote: "social media tools, such as Twitter, are generally proving to be important tools for disaster preparedness and awareness." He explained: "If you get enough of the right kind of followers, then your preparedness message will get out there more than any fridge magnet could."
Nonetheless, while it appears that the Center is planning to start a Facebook page by June, it is, according to the Sun, "steering clear of Twitter because the 140-character limit is not enough space to provide enough information." This is an odd decision given the common use of links by Twitter users to convey extensive information in the form of a single tweet.
Many major news sources have established Twitter accounts and, during times of crisis, whether it was during the last H1N1 scare or the devastation in Twitter, some of the more social media savvy users created Twitter lists and hash tags to keep other savvy social media users attuned to what was happening moment-to-moment, by identifying Twitter sources who were sharing current and credible information. (During the height of the Iran election crisis, I found myself listed on a few news media #IranElection lists as on-the-scene Twitter users began to dm me with the latest videos and reports from the streets where traditional media was banned from visiting.)
9. Curation: Twitter Lists and Hashtags are well-suited for identifying reliable sources of up-to-date information
Twitter hash tags are a method used by Twitterers to identify topics of interest. During a crisis, they are used as a way of letting the social media network quickly identify the latest news on the disaster.
Following the Chile earthquake, Twitter hash tags helped one person another who was missing.
To identify particularly reliable sources of information during a crisis, the traditional news networks have been quick to use Twitter Lists to identify their best sources of information.
When the earthquake struck Haiti, the two, major U.S. television news networks, Fox News and CNN, both turned to Twitter for information about what was taking place in Haiti in real-time after the earthquate.
Other traditional news networks turned to Twitter and created Twitter lists that identified the new media sources they were using to find real-time information:
To date, only a small percentage of Twitter users have enabled the geotagging activation. Nonetheless, the ability to include geotagging in one's tweets is an option that user's could be encouraged to be activate were they to find themselves in a disaster zone. This would allow rescuers to pinpoint with precision the location of users sending out requests for help. This is also the very sort of scenario and option emergency responders should be considering as part of their responsibility to educate the public in advance of a disaster.
Sites like flickr also already allow shared content, in this case photos, to be geotagged. Social network giant Facebook is also expected to join the geotagging trend.
What next?
Those entrusted with emergency preparedness and response should begin to study and use this powerful medium of comunication that has already proven itself as a primary means of communicaiton during the worst crises of recent times. By investing now, emergency responders will have the understanding and network to put this powerful medium to work when it is needed most
Please share your own suggestions, stories, or links on using social media in crisis preparedness or response in Comments. Thank you!
Also, please follow me at my primary Twitter account, @GlenGilmore, and at my account secondary where I tweet about social media best practices in disaster preparedness and response: @CrisisSocMedia.
"How do we get to the top of Google search on a subject," is a question often asked by businesses hoping to be found on the web. There are plenty of search engine optimization (SEO) "gurus" who promise secret potions for accomplishing the task of being found more easily on the web. I simply don't know any secret potions.
Blog and tweet to found be found on web!
"Blog and tweet to be found the web" is not the sexy, sophisticated response that most businesses are hoping to hear when they are interested in soaring past their competition on the web. Instead, it seems that they would prefer that you lean close and whisper that you have somehow cracked a Google PageRank logarithm that will catapult them past the competition. Certainly, having cracked a Google code would seem more worthy of an SEO advisor, but the truth is often a bit more mundane.
Yesterday, near eleven in the evening, I posted a blog about a new YouTube sensation, Greyson Chance,whose sixth-grade talent show performance has gotten him over sixteen-million YouTube views, an appearance on The Ellen Show, and a recording contract. I then tweeted the post from my Twitter account. My tweet of the Greyson post was then retweeted by others. The result? About nine hours later my blog post appears as seventh item in a Google search of "Chance Greyson."
Sharing and creating content in social networks may seem a bit plebian, but it still works in SEO
Now I don't expect my name and post to remain in this ranking for very long, since others will no doubt soon be writing and sharing much about this new talent. However, for the moment, a simple blog post and few well-placed tweets have managed to wedge my name into the first page of a search about America's newest idol. Want to bump me out of my ranking? Blog and tweet a bit as well!
FOLLOW UP: 6th grader's performance of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" beats Lady Gaga's [26,615,294 views vs. 24,758,200]
UPDATE: 6th grader's talent show performance of "Paparazzi" is on course to hit more views, over 21 million, on YouTube, than Lady Gaga's!
In a matter of days, a sixth grader from Oklahoma, twelve-year-old Greyson Chance, has become a YouTube sensation, garnering over 15 million views, an appearance on the Ellen show, and a recording contract. In the process, this kid from Oklahoma has given a few lessons for students of social media:
1. Find and learn from a model of success. Greyson chose for his inspiration Lady Gaga. Not a bad choice considering the fact that she is the first entertainer to achieve one billion views on YouTube.
2. Find your voice and sing. Greyson Chance has never had a voice lesson, yet he has a voice that has propelled him to stardom. What made all the difference in the world was his decision to sing.
3. Share your passion. Ah...just watch the video that follows.
4. Be authentic. Be yourself.Chance chose to sing an extremely popular song from an extremely popular singer. Yet, he made the song his own. His version of "Paparazzi" is not an imitation of the original: it is an original, new version of the original.
5. Don't give in to skeptics: convert them. As Greyson began his performance at his sixth-grade talent show, the expressions of his classmates seemed to convey disinterest at best: his performance visibly transformed skeptics into fans.
6. Content is still king.All the search engine optimization in the world still has a tough time trumping raw talent. Content, really good content, whether it's a song or story, is still the best way to be found.
7. With compelling content, video is a viral rocket. YouTube is celebrating its fifth-year anniversary with two billion daily views. Twelve-year old Greyson Chance is one if its users who decided to upload a video from his sixth-grade talent show. 15-million views later, the video shows no signs of slowing down in its viral trajectory.
8. Give your friends more than one forum to connect. Greyson first uploaded the video of his performance to his Facebook page, then to YouTube. He has since added a Twitter account.
Greyson Chance's 6th Grade Talent Show Performance
So what do you think? And please join me on Twitter: @GlenGilmore