Government Technology

By Kristy Fifelski: Your Source for What's Hot in Government Innovation

See Your Potential Facebook Reach

January 9, 2013 By Kristy Fifelski

Heard this one before? "Why should our agency be on Facebook? I don't Facebook, and neither do my colleagues." If your boss pulls this one on you, be prepared to quote your potential Facebook Reach, aka how many people are using the platform in your city or county. 

A simple trick for finding this number involves just a few steps. On your Facebook page, click on "Build Audience," then "Create An Ad." Skip down to the "Choose Your Audience" section, select "City" and type yours in. The number that displays to the right is your potential Facebook Reach. If you don't have a government Facebook page yet, you can do this technique with any other page you manage. Just don't go through with the ad if you don't want to get charged!

Special bonus for those of you who watch the end of the video!

 


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Government Email Outreach Secrets

January 7, 2013 By Kristy Fifelski

 

What's the trick to making the most out of your government email outreach efforts? I connected with Jennifer Kaplan from GovDelivery (a GovGirl sponsor) in a Google Hangout recently to learn the secrets of maximizing those e-blasts.

Jennifer wasn't afraid to share some of the best secrets of email outreach. Here are some of the key points in the video: 

  • Grow your audience online by capturing subscribers at key times. (Have an email opt-in form handy any time there's a spike in web traffic, such as for a big storm.)
  • Partner with other government agencies. (Spread your information to larger audiences by agreeing to share content with related agencies)
  • Automatically redistribute content. (Think multiple digital channels, like email, SMS & social media)
  • Drive citizens to take online actions of value. (Send email reminders with links to online renewals, & cross-market renewals to similar audiences)

Download GovDelivery's email best practices guide for more tips.


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Prepare a Zombie Survival Kit

January 2, 2013 By Kristy Fifelski

Ever since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched their creative "zombie apocalypse" campaign last year, Americans have been even more exposed to the recommendation of making a survival kit for any disaster. 

I explore my own "go bag" in this video to see if I have all of the recommended supplies by the CDC. What's in your own kit? Are you equipped to survive any disaster?

 


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Facebook Branding for Government

December 19, 2012 By Kristy Fifelski

Many government agencies have created a presence on the most popular social networking platform in the world. But how effective are those Facebook pages? 

This is the first video in a new GovGirl series on Facebook strategies. Watch to learn about setting up a great foundation for your page by exploring Facebook's branding tools. Then we'll be ready to move on to the next video in the series on how to get more Facebook "likes."

Make sure to write a comment, and sign up for the GovGirl newsletter to get notified when a new video is ready for you!


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GovGirl Answers Your Questions

December 12, 2012 By Kristy Fifelski

This GovGirl video features a new segment, "GovGirl Answers," where I take a look at some of the feedback and questions sent in by people like you. From Twitter mentions to vlog comments to the Ask GovGirl form on GovGirl.com, there are several simple ways to connect with me. 

Let's keep the conversation going about government innovation, social media and your other burning topics. My favorite part of being GovGirl is encouraging our government community to talk with each other and share ideas. Submit a question or a comment, and it might be included in an upcoming video!


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GovGirl

Kristy is known as "GovGirl" in the government technology industry. She is a former city government web manager who has a passion for social media, technology and the lighter side of government life.

Catch weekly GovGirl videos here on GovTech and follow hashtag #GovGirl on Twitter for more conversation.



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