Way back when, branding was defined simply as a name, slogan, symbol or design, or a combination of these elements to identify a companies products or services. These days we know it to be so much more; it is the ethos or experience we wish to sell and portray; the feeling and reason people become loyal to our brands. If branding is off the mark, the customers don’t flow through the door — or when they do, they quickly leave; meaning, the sales pitch hasn’t met the expectations of the customer/consumer.

Social media has amplified the consumer’s voice (at any age). Brands are much more aware of perceptions and the reputation surrounding their brands — and more aware of what keeps them humming. It’s a good thing. Some big brands even keep psychologists in the branding teams to make sure they are on song with their consumer’s voice matching their brands’ ethos. Oh, glory be.

The big new questions for branding aged care are, “Does your brand relate to your target audience? Will they instantly “get it” without too much thought?” and “Did they enjoy the experience and are they sharing positive commentary to others?”

While certain segments of the aged care industry, such as Retirement Living who have been advertising units for sale for years, get it in a generalist context, the broader aged care industry hasn’t. This could possibly be due to a lack of need; meaning, most aged care residential customers come in via an emergency scenario where no marketing is needed…

So, why the intrigue around aged care branding? Why do we care to get age care branding right?

The change in the consumer marketplace began at the beginning of this year. The pursuit by aged care organisations to inspire home care customers came to the fore with the introduction of additional packages as well as a consumer driven marketplace at this time. There are a couple of resulting scenarios — a residential care provider now sees the home care market as a new channel into their residential beds, meaning many have ramped up their provision of services to people still living independently; it makes sense — they have the staff and know how.

This meant the market changed and the industry had to change its appearance along with it… even though the provision of aged care services was generally OK, the branding and marketing activities need some tweaking.

Big time.

A strong brand is invaluable in this “new aged care” environment as the competition to win new customers intensifies each day.

For an aged care organisation or industry service provider, it is important to spend time investing in the research; to define, distinguish and build the brand because, at the end of the day, no two brands should be the same. Each will include elements, such as colours and image portrayal which is unique to your own brands’ ethos. We wouldn’t expect to see David Jones marketing itself the same way as Kmart or even Myers… so we shouldn’t expect to see one aged care organisation looking the same as another — even though they sit in the same marketplace with the same products!

This is where of late, the discussion around stock photos has crept into my arena. The use of stock photos isn’t actually the issue; the use of the same image/person, across multiple different brands is.

Why? Well, it confuses the consumer in the marketplace.

And no apologies for this statement — the lack of unique stock photo images being used to develop a unique brand, is making aged care marketing look novice.

How to fix this problem.

Stock photos are an easy solution sure, however, it is important to select and purchase the rights to a photo series. Or alternatively, pick images which represent your brand which are not faces; hands, nature, or elements of your surrounds like china, furniture, and other such items. Be creative in other words. Alternatively, if you are creating a brand for an aged care organisation, then finding people from within that organisation to photograph is generally quite easy. You have access to many people willing to participate in the task and at least then they definitely represent your company — because they are your customers! Aged care is quite unique though, as people, customers and consumers, actually do die. It’s one of the unfortunate facts. So, you could take a stunning photo or video, capturing the perfect essence of your brand and then it’s just best you don’t use them for this reason! Of course, sometimes the family loves them to be used as it leaves a lasting legacy…

The harder task is when you need to use a stock image for a general editorial — or marketing brochure which is simply about a service. How do you fine tune that down? This is where my call to generate more stock images has come to the fore. Images of 50-year-olds, through to 100-year-olds doing ‘things’… diverse in their appearance, diverse in the activity… and unique is a current challenge. The current selection and variety in the marketplace to purchase is not freely available as yet. The call to arms for stock shot photographers is being pursued… but not quick enough. Using a smart phone with a good camera can get your around the issue, however, you can come across as a novice if not done extremely well (and in line with the rest of your brand).

And what if you are not an aged care provider but still selling aged care services?

This is where it gets even more murky and confusing. If aged care providers are using stock photos… and then an editorial in a news article or an industry service provider pops up using the same one, how can a consumer distinguish between them all? In fact, does it improve or dimish your own brand if they do? Some alignment with on point, on topic imagery, can be good, however, if we use the same image over and over, the message which you are trying to convey is completely lost.

It would be like David Jones using Jennifer Hawkins to walk down the cat walk. Say what?

A brand, article, editorial, service provider or consultant should show a personality in all they do. Why showcase a bland vanilla offering, when behind the scenes the team have a vibrant, outgoing and creative nature?

By using the same images as each other — we are effectively saying to the consumer there is no difference between any of us.

So, in conclusion… the theory behind all this is for you, yes you in the aged care industry, to consider your brand and how you project that. Make it unique, make it you and look at those images as they convey more meaning than you currently give them credit for. And finally, do your own customers like them? Have you asked?

Older people like to have a say.

Easy. Smile. Click.

But, it’s not easy for all of us. For some, having a photo taken can be very awkward and embarrassing. True, we don’t need to delve into the psychology as to why it can be a challenge now but rest assured all is not lost.

There are a few tricks to getting a good shot, other than learning not to blink, that will get you through.

Firstly,

1. We are assuming your hair, makeup and clothes are representative of “you” while keeping conservative, and singular (ie not too fussy and/or patterned).
2. We are assuming you have good light — even if only to one side of your face; as while the moody blues are great for a sultry look, generally a good head shot image appears clear and bright.
3. We are assuming you would be framed by limited distractions… Someone with a good camera can blur the background to focus on you though!

**If you are paying to have this done you will be charged anywhere from $50 to $500, to $5000. This cost depends entirely on other styles of photos that photographer takes and how many more they will be doing that day etc etc. Generally the lower end doesn’t mean bad — it simply means they are non-fussy practical results.

General photo image capture help

Similar to taking a selfie, you may wish to experiment in the privacy of your own home to work out which is your best side and what your smile looks like. Learn if your head is better on a slight angle or bang on, front and centre.

That said, when in the moment, first up is to ground yourself.

Feet. Firm. Flat.

Then get your mood right.

#1 Throw your head back. Laugh. Out. Loud. Revel in the confidence this brings into your body. It’s a feel good. You might be feeling a bit silly and simply giggle but just keep on keeping on. Note **a good photographer — or a friendly one at least — will help get you in the mood using these types of techniques… it’s why we all say “smile”, “sexy” or “cheeeese”, to get us in the mood.

#2 If you are with a group of people and laughing out loud is completely inappropriate for the occasion or mood, throw your head back and take the biggest breath in you can muster for the occasion and then blow it out. In. Out. Slowly.

We are only talking a few seconds to do this step but it’s amazing how a dose of oxygen can lift our mood, fix the lines on our face, and throw a sparkle into our eyes.

So, now that we are ready with our feet planted firmly (even if sitting — square them up) all we need do is to lean in.

One. Shoulder. Forward.

At the same time, keeping your chin up and square (and remember if you want to throw your head on that angle — now is the time). This angling will sort any under chin baggage we don’t need to show off. The position may feel weird and strained — but it works.

Then look at the camera like a friend or just be plain wanky and think of something nice! Decide if you have mouth shut or open in smile and go.

Think. Smile. Click.

Being photographed with one or two others

Main rule here is to lean into each other.

It’s basically a case of invading each others personal space. The photo always shows more style if this happens. It may be you all lean forward together, or simply hug (if you know them well enough). Remember to lift chin up and out for a nicer jaw line…

3 Steps to Relieve Camera-Shyness

Step #1: Get used to your look.

Step #2: Practice.

Step #3: Work it.

Explained more here: https://charlierobinson.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/3-steps-to-relieve-camera-shyness/

Providing an understanding of anything, be it a location, concept, or style can be liberating for another person. Many of us don’t like the “unknown“. We all Google to research, to review and check, so in essence following a person’s journey is no different. This isn’t meant in a stalkerish way — as the person sharing is in control of what they are posting and contributing. We see a glimpse to gain a greater understanding. There may be a purpose, a story they wish to unfold. This form of modern storytelling is the sharing of a journey, a person’s life, that breaks down barriers and raises awareness of how we live or what we want to share.

**You could say this thinking emerged initially via the television broadcasting medium, introduced by the likes of shows such as Big Brother, etc. However, television programs like this can be staged and false.

Photographing your journey through the social medias — is like being a storyteller of a modern age.

Introducing the selfie on journey.

A selfie, short for a self-portrait photograph, is usually taken with a mobile phone or a hand-held camera and are usually in a slightly titled manner. -Wikipedia, 2014

Oxford word of the year 2013: http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2013/11/word-of-the-year-2013-winner/ who say, quote

“Self-portraits are nothing new — people have been producing them for centuries, with the medium and publication format changing. Oil on canvas gave way to celluloid, which in turn gave way to photographic film and digital media. As the process became snappier (pun intended) so has the name.”

A regular person, taking a regular selfie, shows a regular life, on a regular journey. It is a modern age storytelling process and there is nothing regular about that. It’s a new paradigm. The selfie on a journey — the storytellers of a modern age. -Charlie, 2015

In social media, many psychology experts have been touting the “selfie” as the narcissism platform or as an ego boosting phenomenon, but quite frankly, we forget the positives it provides all too quickly.
More reading: http://thoughtcatalog.com/anna-agoncillo/2014/11/psychoanalyzing-the-selfie-nation-whats-the-difference-between-narcissism-and-self-expression/

The creative side of taking a selfie

• Everyone is a photographer — especially with Instagram filters on hand but most mobile phone cameras can edit as well.
• Everyone has a good side and likes to see themselves look good, “a bit of vanity is OK, narcissism not so much”. Read this article by Jeff Bullas to understand more where this thought is from: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/09/23/facebook-and-narcissism/on-the-social-web-everyone-has-a-voice-everyone-is-judged.
• Everyone wants praise and in learning about karma or paybacks, gives it freely, to receive it.
• Everyone has something they want to share or raise awareness for. It might be their community, a group, activity or scenario. The journey could help unravel this, leading to a more deeper understanding of that.
• Everyone has a fascinating journey and sharing your story is the creative side of taking a selfie — why the photo, what’s in it, where are you and how did you get there in the first place?

We all want to see it.

We want to believe it.

It’s your story, it’s your journey.

Share it.

Want to know how to take good selfies? Read this information on the original article: https://charlierobinson.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/storytellers-of-a-modern-age-using-the-selfie-on-a-journey/

Down time is a creatives dream. It’s a time when you can mull over thoughts that have been swirling all year, and have them find a resting place. If you start with an initial bit of planning too, that creative dream time can produce wonderful results. And we can all creative if we let our mind explore.

One area that everyone could all do with a bit of creative work, is our article or blog content. Jot down those thoughts about potential articles and blogs to kick off your new year in January. You will start the year well with positive results!

1. Plan 3 months ahead; get 2 months in and then plan the next 3 months
2. Work out content ideas based on season, industry, perspective, service, expertise, history or tips.
3. Plan to write over two articles per month — consider plans for about eight and then if one topic doesn’t work and you can’t write it, you have a back up plan.
4. In your plan, craft article headers with 6 words, including your keyword. You might just write one word for now and pad it out as you incubate the idea.
5. Weave the topic into conversations and get other people’s opinions. Hear what they have to say. Shape your thoughts without giving the game away.
6. Let it go. Sleep on it. Let it incubate.

Incubate the idea…?

Yes, that’s what is so good about planning. Once we have committed pen to paper our brain starts to process our written word. We think we are going about our daily business however sub-consciously we are also writing articles and getting creative. When we finally get down to the business of writing, the words generally tumble out. It makes life a lot easier when you aren’t a regular writer. You can also then generally tap out three or four articles at a time. Trust the process, it does work.

When you are ready to write, please consider a couple of basic rules:

1. Articles are best if 300 characters in length, 600 great, 1200 for indepth
2. Use opening catchy one liner, some content, a bullet point “list”, some more content and then a closing statement.

Be creative with your content. Have a bit of fun if you can (of course if it’s suitable to the topic and subject only). You will soon be a natural. Happy writing.

The main things to remember are:

• Cyber bullying can be a crime
• If you’re being cyber bullied, there are things you can do to protect yourself.

What to do:

Keep calm

Remember all your breathing techniques… the good old “breathe it out” is perfect for this.

Don’t let another’s opinion of you shape your world. You know what’s right and what’s not.

Talk to someone

Get perspective of the situation from a trusted friend or colleague (if they are in PR managing reputations, even better).

Keep it confidential but have them monitor from “afar” ie they don’t get involved but they become a silent witness.

Record evidence

Always a must. Use the screenshot function on your mobile phone for instant records. Use the “snipping tool” application on your desktop.

Save the evidence in at least 2 separate places. Don’t just leave it on your phone. Download it to your desktop, email it to your trusted friend or save it to an external hard-drive. In other words, back it up.

Ask the person to delete it

This can “sometimes” work. But not often. It’s good to politely ask once. Then stop responding. Let them go no matter now how often they try and jibe you.

Block

OK, so they don’t stop jibing. Block them. At least then you don’t need to see it.

There are special considerations if you manage a Facebook page here — you must block them from your business pages first, prior to blocking them from your profile. This is an extreme move — but in some instances warranted.

Apply for a protection order by reporting it to the police. Follow their lead.

Remember, what a bully does to you says more about them, than it does about you.

Three elements are common to a crisis: (a) a threat to the organization, (b) the element of surprise, and © a short decision time. Venette argues that “crisis is a process of transformation where the old system can no longer be maintained.” Therefore the fourth defining quality is the need for change. If change is not needed, the event could more accurately be described as a failure or incident.”

Some public relations crisis management moments may spring from an event that has occurred that will impact your brand through public backlash. With the advent of social media, word of mouth risks are much higher and their impact far more swift and fierce.

We need to recognise that we are in a public relation crisis communications moment to begin with.

Not being fully prepared for such an event can leave you struggling to solve the situation and you may even involve other people to try and help (creating a flurry). Procrastination can also contribute to a crisis. By not actively discussing a public relation risk and not working through company positioning statements, you will head down the path of your own internal crisis when something does happen.

Of course, the flip side is some career professionals feel their role is more useful if there is a continual crisis. They assume importance through greater responsibility when people have to rely on them at times like these.

Neither scenario is good.

For a company to maintain a strong reputation, it needs to be prepared for any situation whether complete unknown, like a death or natural disaster, or something considered fairly tame on release, like a company restructure announcement having dire consequences according to community commentary post release.

It is true you can do your homework and have some elements (messages) in readiness. Here’s 4 ways to stop procrastinating and start doing…

1. Make time to discuss your company positioning statements for a range of topics to help you react more positively and strongly in those times of crisis.
2. Include in discussions outcomes such as actions to research reactions to similar scenarios faced by companies and of course, watching trends.
3. Understand your position on things/topics/threats that affect your industry.
4. Regularly review the business section of the paper and determine your own response to a particular scenario (this is a good item to include in a weekly management meeting as it gathers thoughts from the leaders that can be noted for use later if ever needed).

Remember that being prepared doesn’t mean the content will ever get used, and let’s hope it doesn’t, but it does mean you will stay true to your company positioning and goals (regardless of the situation that is the ultimate outcome) and be more prepared if the unfortunate ever does happen. It also ensures you stay on track.

Thinking through scenarios and having a quick response and positioning of strength makes for better public relations. It shows leadership.

We continue.

I cried yesterday.

Sitting with mum, out at a coffee shop, she shared a snippet of a dinner conversation, where another resident had said her own daughter turned down a job working for the facility.

Curious, I asked why when her own mum lived there?

The response was along the lines of “she had her live there as it was the best of a bad lot in the region”.

Let’s just process that for a moment.

My spontaneous reaction was to almost cry, but mum caught me and said when we moved her in there, with all the research we had done, it was the best.
We were happy then (about our decision re care - of course not about mum's health).

The nursing staff and rehab slowly sorted out mum’s issues from her fall and she became more mobile. However, these past few years have been tough on both of us.

So, I cried later, away from her eyes.

The journey is long and tiring. The hidden impact is now getting ME to smile. It has cost friendships, jobs and my health on occasion. It has caused me to revalue and evaluate many things in my life, with some now cherished more than ever before. Some obvious like the support of my family, but others include the sanctuary of my garden and my alone time. Finding peace. Keeping calm.

As mum’s carer, I'm needed for Doctor’s appointments, shopping, advocacy and as power of attorney for her financial affairs, and the weight is heavy. I've explained before, I do it because she's my mum and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd prefer to just be her daughter.

She now has niggling health issues which are apparently common across aged care, rather than a chronic illness or reason for being in there. The stress and ongoing anxiety of constantly battling to get a response to these ongoing issues is draining for the both of us. She has ongoing financial issues with the Department of Human Services after they lost all her records from 2014. Due to this, we have ongoing issues with Anglicare. The stress and anxiety this past 18 months is almost PTSD like. I can not bear to see an invoice in the mail. I know it upsets mum. It doesn’t help her health (or mine!)

I entered my aged care journey to support mum; to help keep her voice and control over her life and to be by her side. I took jobs in aged care to understand the system, to help encourage change and lend my enthusiasm and communications skill. I have been successful to a point. I am a stickler for encouraging great news, good outcomes and best practice. I am a stickler for modern ageing. I am a stickler for sending appropriate messages and for communications that use empathy and compassion.

In my day jobs, I’ve been known to craft some pretty tough messages using pretty words to smooth things over.

Every aged care business is on a journey and they don’t always get it right. We can all aspire to be better, to learn, grow and develop but when humans are involved, it gets very complicated. To try and do the right thing by all is a massive ask. The public are watching. I'm one of them. I hear both sides.

My focus now is to keep mum as settled as possible among the “ best of a bad lot” and to encourage a better aged care industry for all. It’s what I dream of and believe in. I know others want the same. I get almost daily calls to discuss aspects of someone’s mum, aunt or friend with questions like, what should we do here, what could we do there.

Advocacy.

Who teaches you to become an advocate?

Some make it their full time job but they are still unable to help. It’s true, I have basic skills through my time with Health Consumers Alliance (on their Board and via their training), however I’m no social worker, I don’t have indepth aged care financial knowledge and I certainly don’t yet fully understand this overwhelming complexity that the aged care system is. The people who are there to help, I have found don't either!

It’s about time we simplified the industry. I personally hope the Royal Commission establishes simplicity because the constant arguments, opinions and attitudes from unhappy people within the industry are a real downer.

Time for the best of a good lot.

Smiles and customer service.

Care and compassion.

No compromises.

However, there is a misconception awards are generally for larger organisations with big pulling power. In part, this is truth; larger organisations have the resources, skills, expertise and budget to pilot and/or innovate… plus they have a marketing or public relations department to help write the award applications in a winning style.

But award ceremonies are calendar fixtures in every industry and those that don’t put themselves or their employees forward miss out on the advantages awards can offer an organisation long term.

Advantages such as using the accolades in recruitment and retention strategies, for marketing and promotion of the organisation or for simply impressing stakeholders such as their Boards, customers and clients.

Aged care is no different.

Celebrating excellence in dignified care and the effectiveness of clinical practices is imperative for demonstrating the value delivered by the industry as a whole, as well as a way to demonstrate the raising of standards. Of course, recognition of superior customer service and performance is always appreciated. For individuals, this provides third-party validation of a job done well.

That said, it is easier to create buzz and interest if an award program fills a (vacant) need.

Many award programs have been around for so long, they now lack the energy to make impact, especially when many have already won the recognition they needed.

For an industry award that creates ongoing and lasting impact, we need to continually innovate and generate new challenges for the stalwarts, while making the overall process to apply one which is accessible for all. This ensures the quality and number of nominations remain good, while award outcomes assist with benchmarking, networking and upskilling. In essence, a celebration for all.

But an award program is like any other marketing initiative: it needs a good plan and timely execution.

To make a celebration of it, nothing can compare with the experience with stepping up onto a spotlighted stage to accept an award with hundreds of industry luminaries in the audience cheering and applauding.

However, if we are to continue with the process of industry disruption, why not start with the awards nomination process itself and then carry on post awards to upskill and educate using the award case studies?

Following is a suggested activity timeline for innovating the awards process and outcomes to create buzz, excitement, inclusiveness and community awareness.

A celebration for all; an inclusive aged care awards program

By implementing new types of award categories, we can start the awards innovation process;

• We can embrace a contemporary aged care industry by introducing new award categories which align with current trends, such as the use of smart technology, robots, social media, solar or electronics etc. We could also embrace categories for differing services which are not as well known, such as awards for chefs, hospitality and major constructions, which would raise their profile within the community.
• We can use the community to assist with the voting process such as the consumer choice or people’s choice awards. Or we can create categories for resident awards for outcomes they have achieved in support of, or for, the industry. We could look to social media platforms to achieve these votes.
• We can recognise emerging leaders who have already made significant contributions and demonstrated leadership and continuing service, and use industry leaders as their judge and ambassador.
• We can increase visibility of outcomes through influential sponsors and media partners.

At all steps, we can reach out and embrace all levels by applying award categories befitting the various sizes of organisations within our industry ie by bed number, resident number or total organisation value. In effect making this a true celebration of all, including all sizes.

Aged care awards traditionally target aged care professionals (of course), however by embracing the above philosophical objectives, we could broaden our natural target to reach our consumers (residents and clients), our public, and our industry leaders (eg for food innovation).

This then creates many public relation opportunities for community conversations around existing work in the field (by industry leaders in the lead up) as well as innovations by aged care professionals (through the awards process). Additionally, a follow up process post awards could help unravel how winning organisations did what they did, or do, to upskill others.

The “celebration for all” key messages and media outputs throughout this campaign, would therefore align to inclusivity, diversity and embracing the change the industry needs, as well as being what the community wish to hear about (ie industry improvements). This then generates value, as it aligns with professionals from all levels of aged care who are improving the industry on a daily basis, creating a better outcome for our elders.

The communication strategies to support this would need to include:

Training or information sessions for member organisations to educate or assist with the nomination process (this could be at Board/Owner, CEO/Executive or site level)

Award promotional packages for member organisations to assist with the nomination process via staff and residents (like a plug and play to implement internally via email/print or intranets)

Media call outs via the voices of influential industry personalities during the various stages of the awards process to encourage pick up by radio, TV and print outlets. These interviews would encourage discussion about the positive aspects of change within the industry, given its size and impact across all ages of the community at large

Social media campaigns for the award nomination process (to educate and attract nominations from organisations and individuals), the finalist process (to celebrate and influence) and then an awards education process (to explain how “you too could implement this improvement’).

The campaign briefs would include elements such as digital and print imagery, as well as scripts and social content. The awards campaign would work well as a year-round communication cycle, constantly evolving as the industry innovates, through the use of award categories, sponsors and industry leaders.

-the end

We spend our days establishing goals and plans to realise our business dreams, and then someone says something negative about us online and it sends us into a spin. The way we react is key. Whether we understand why a person (or troll) has said what they have said or not, here are seven points to consider how you should manage your reaction:

Point 1: Focus on business. Don’t give negative haters your time or credit. Don’t acknowledge them and certainly don’t engage with them — you empower them when you do that. Focus on your own goals and business and keep on keeping on.**The only time you need acknowledge the attacker is if they have a genuine concern for a service you offer. In this instance you would reply politely once, professionally, to request a conversation offline to resolve the issue.

Point 2: Expect them. You’ve been noticed, so you must be doing something right. Haters and/or negative people come from a place of jealously or envy and probably take your success as a growing concern for them. Remember Point 1!

Point 3: Take heart. Remember the Tall Poppy syndrome? Attacks online are a sign that you are (generally) really good at what you do, so remember Point 2 as someone probably wants to knock you down or undermine your business. For the attacks hiding behind online anonymity of a fake profile, remember Point 1!

Point 4: Don’t sweat it. Not everyone is going to like you… well maybe if you are Richard Branson we get it. But, OK, would you like to be the next Donald Trump or Kanye West or a Kardashian? All are enormously successful however many people don’t like them. The people who you will do business with are the ones you need to focus on.

Point 5: Be happy. Be successful. Stay true to your own sense of being and take care of yourself, including your mental health. Yes, negative attacks can hurt, but if you let it affect you, it will affect your business, and then they win. Live well. It’s the best revenge of all. Show them how happy you are on the path that you have chosen.

Point 6: Welcome criticism. Unemotionally accept what they are saying as honest feedback of your business. Get a second opinion from someone you trust. Is there good reason for the negativity? Sometimes it can actually be like free advice. After all, you are not perfect. Use a negative comment to check and make sure there’s not a grain of truth to what the attacker is saying. If there is, fix it and quietly move on. Do not give him/her credit!

Point 7: Stay true. Move forward. Be calm. Believe in what you are doing. Do not be derailed or lose focus. Remember Point 1 always. Keep on keeping on.

Originally published on my blog: https://charlierobinson.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/dealing-with-negativity-online-2/

In the beginning, social learning on a social media platform is not something that is going to happen immediately, so to keep your page active you must practice basic social media rules of engagement. Once your page is one that people return to, your engagement levels for the social learning outcomes will increase. Of course, it you are attached to a university like us, you can set homework tasks to direct students to engage in this way. The benefit of this practice has been discussed in our paper and attracts the quieter learner to ask questions and answer others more openly.

Whatever the purpose of your social learning needs, you do need to build a community on the social media platform first. Once this is going, the rest will fall into place. There is no time frame, some will take off quickly, others will need time. You will want to introduce the flavour of social learning from the outset — to “set the scene”.

Here are some tips to get you started:

http://unearthing.com.au/index.php/2013/10/09/social-learning-strategies-for-social-media-platforms/

-Charlie