Using social media to promote archives

@LauraCowdrey

The National Archives

Different uses for social media

• Sharing expertise

• Promotion of events and services

• Customer service

• Providing research and guidance

• Opening up access to your collection

What’s worked for The National Archives

• Collaboration

• Sharing professional opinion

• NEW content – new files, new resources, new research

• Relevant and timely content – linked to anniversaries, seasonal celebrations, news topics and national days

• Twitter Q&A’s and discussions

Sharing expertise

Collaboration:ExploreYourArchive

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Relevantandtimelycontent

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Lesssuccessful

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Benefits• Youcandothiswithoutabigbudget

• Youcanreachglobalaudiences

• Twowaycommunicationbetweenarchivistsandarchiveusers

• Allowsyoutoberesponsive

• Helpstakeyourcollectionbeyondyourreadingroomandwebsite

• Canbemonitoredandmeasured

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Definingsuccessandmeasuringimpact

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Whattowatchoutfor

• Needtodedicateresource

• Privacyanddataprotectionlaws

• Needtoknowaboutanythirdpartycopyrightwithinyourcollection

• Potentialreputationalrisks

• Usersexpectations

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Worldthroughalens

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OperationWarDiary

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What’snext

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Inconclusion

• Thereareavarietyofwaysyoucanusesocialmedia,dependingonwhatyourgoalsare

• Newcontentortimelyandrelevantcontentworkswell

• Imagesandvideosincreaseengagementandsharing

• Youcanmonitorandmeasuresocialmedia

• Youdon’tneedtospendmoney,butyoudoneedtodedicateresource

• There’salwaysnewchannelsandnewthingstolearn

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Questions?

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