Podcast Summary
Engaging digital audience with humor and wit: The National Park Service uses humor and wit on social media to make learning about and experiencing nature more enjoyable and relatable for a broader audience.
The National Park Service is effectively engaging with a digital audience by infusing their social media platforms with humor and wit, making the natural world more accessible and enjoyable for millions. This innovative approach, spearheaded by social media specialist Matt Turner, began with Matt's early days in the National Park Service, handing out brochures and learning the importance of offering something free. Now, the National Park Service uses this principle online, reaching a broader audience and fostering a connection between the online and offline worlds. By embracing the digital age, the National Park Service has found a way to make learning about and experiencing nature more enjoyable and relatable for all.
Social media transforms park ranger role into social media manager: Humorous and inviting tone on social media helps National Park Service connect with larger audience, leading to viral sensation and growth
Social media has become an essential part of a park ranger's duties, transforming the role of a traditional park ranger into a social media manager. Matt, a park ranger, discovered this unexpected opportunity to experiment with his social media voice, bringing humor and personality to the National Park Service's (NPS) accounts. His approach resonated with the public, leading to significant growth in NPS's social media following and engagement. The success of NPS's social media presence can be attributed to the importance of hooking people's attention to deliver important information. Matt's humorous and inviting tone has helped NPS connect with a larger audience, making the agency's social media content a viral sensation.
Using humor and creativity to share safety tips: Effectively communicate important messages by connecting with people on a personal level through humor, storytelling, or relatability.
Using relatable and engaging content can effectively deliver important messages, especially when it comes to safety guidelines. The National Park Service's social media manager, Matt Turner, uses humor and creativity to share wildlife safety tips, making the information more memorable and appreciated by the public. This approach has been successful for Matt and has influenced the social media strategies of other federal agencies. It's important to find ways to connect with people on a personal level to deliver messages effectively. Whether it's through humor, storytelling, or relatability, the key is to make the information engaging and memorable. The National Park Service's use of social media as a tool for sharing important information is a great example of how organizations can effectively communicate with the public in a way that resonates and inspires action.
Effective use of social media by Oklahoma's Department of Wildlife Conservation: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation gained a large following on social media through relatable humor, witty responses, and education about unique challenges and wildlife in their state.
Oklahoma's Department of Wildlife Conservation, under the leadership of Sarah Sutherland, has effectively utilized social media to engage and educate their audience about the unique challenges and wildlife of their state. During a particularly hot day, Sarah used the department's Twitter account to remind followers about the importance of hydration, which gained significant attention and engagement. Sarah's witty responses to queries and her relatable humor have helped ODWC amass a large following on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The department's accounts have become a popular source of information and entertainment, showcasing the diverse wildlife and landscapes of Oklahoma. Sarah's hiring as the department's first full-time social media coordinator was not initially intended to make the department go viral, but the success of their social media presence has certainly put them on the map.
A new approach to wildlife conservation communication during the pandemic: During the pandemic, ODWC adopted a relatable, human communication style on social media, using humor and memes to engage the public and answer their questions, despite initial skepticism.
During the pandemic, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) faced an increased demand for information from the public. Sarah, a new member of the team, learned about wildlife conservation through hands-on experiences with her colleagues and applied this approach to social media content. ODWC, known for its scientific language, decided to communicate in a more relatable, human way. Sarah's informal social media team, consisting of volunteers, started an overhaul in late 2020, focusing on Facebook and Instagram. They used humor and memes to engage the public and answer their questions, even about potentially dangerous plants. Despite the challenges and skepticism, especially on Twitter, Sarah and her team's affable approach paid off, allowing the public to connect with the team and learn about wildlife conservation in a more relatable way.
Maintaining Consistency and Authenticity in Social Media: Be mindful of potential impact of jokes and avoid sensitive topics to maintain a strong online presence. Consider responses carefully and promote positive messages.
Consistency and authenticity, even in the face of backlash, can help build a strong online presence. However, it's important to be mindful of the potential impact of jokes and to avoid villainizing animals or other sensitive topics. Sarah's team learned this lesson the hard way when they jokingly referred to a mountain lion as a "danger kitty," leading to negative attention and a call to delete the tweet. To prevent similar incidents, they now carefully consider potential responses and aim to promote positive messages about wildlife conservation. As Matt Turner from the National Park Service also does, they view this process as a necessary step to ensure their tweets are respectful and beneficial to their audience.
Balancing education and engagement on social media for national parks: Engage in relatable topics to build a community and expand reach, ultimately contributing to conservation efforts
Effective social media management for organizations like national parks involves striking a balance between educating the public about conservation and engaging with them on relatable topics. Sarah from Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Matt from the National Park Service shared their experiences in handling viral incidents and the importance of maintaining a genuine brand on social media. While some may question the relevance of tweets about donut holes or thermal features, Sarah argues that such interactions help build a community where people feel safe to engage. The ultimate goal is to use social media as a tool to expand reach and make a positive impact, even if the metrics for success are not always quantifiable. For instance, Sarah believes that their TikTok presence has encouraged more women to ask hunting and fishing questions, ultimately contributing to the conservation mission.
Using social media to connect with nature: Social media can foster appreciation for nature, educate users, and create a sense of community. Use it responsibly for accurate info and positive engagement.
Effective use of social media can foster appreciation for the natural world and inspire people to engage with it both online and offline. Matt and Sarah from the National Park Service and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shared examples of how they've used social media to educate people about wildlife, answer questions, and even inspire first-time park visitors. These interactions not only build awareness but also create a sense of community among nature enthusiasts. Social media can also be a valuable tool for learning new things, such as identifying birds or discovering the existence of salamanders. However, it's important to remember that social media should be used responsibly, with a focus on accurate information and positive engagement. As Matt advised, keep social media posts simple and avoid excessive use of puns. By using social media as a means of connection to the natural world, we can deepen our understanding and appreciation for the environment around us.
Exploring the changing social media scene: Communities must adapt and build where they're needed as social media landscape evolves, with Endless Thread delving into various aspects of this concept
The social media landscape is constantly evolving, and it's essential for communities to adapt and stay present. Sarah, from Endless Thread, shared this perspective during a discussion about the changing social media scene, with Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter being a notable example. Change is the only certainty, and communities must build and grow wherever they're needed. Endless Thread, a WBUR production, explores this concept through its episodes, which delve into various aspects of social media and real-life experiences. The team, including Amari Sivertson, Ben Brock Johnson, Dean Russell, Quincy Walters, Grace Tatter, Sumata Joshi, Emily Jankowski, and Matt Reed, produces the show. Stay tuned for more insights as they continue to explore the blurred lines between digital and physical experiences.
