Social media is quickly becoming people's first stop for advertising, marketing, and news. With less than half of people under age 25 getting their news from local media, and each generation using traditional media less and less, the trend of using social media as a primary method receiving and disseminating information is expected to continue. 

In the session, The Engagement Gap: The Massive Social Media Opportunity Cities Overlook, at ICMA's Local Government Reimagined Conference in Denver, Colorado, USA, the presenters shared their top three tips for making the most of your social media messaging:

1. Organic social media is for resident priorities, not for advertising. 

Save the "selling" points for paid ads. You want residents to see your account as a community resource.

2. Be consistent in your posting. 

You want to be seen as a consistent and reliable source of information.

3. Have engaging content. 

Content that immediately catches your attention quickly shows the viewer the value in engaging with it.

These simple tricks will help you build, keep, and expand your social media follower base, as well as raise your engagement. Having straightforward, relatable content that consumers can absorb quickly and easily will transform your social media and its outcomes.

Download the presentation from this session and other LGRC sessions.