Social Media
It’s important to note that media and technologies are interconnected. A good advocacy campaign plan will incorporate pieces from more than one type of media.
Engaging on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and others have changed the ways people communicate. These sites update millions of people on the latest news and what their friends, celebrities, and in some cases, strangers are doing
Connect with Elected Officials. In addition to connecting with fellow NCIT advocates, you can use these sites to connect with elected officials. See if your legislators are on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and “friend” them. You can find out about events they’re hosting and participate, learn about their priority issues and communicate your policy issue interests.
Add to ongoing conversation. You don’t necessarily need to start an online conversation about your issue to have impact. In fact, there may already be one that you can add to. Check to see if there are relevant hashtags and active conversations about the issue area.
YouTube and other video-sharing websites have also become mainstream in spreading information, gaining support through numerous views of video clips and creating the occasional viral sensation. Most social networking sites share video as well, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
You can also stay informed, engage in the political process and comment on heart and stroke
health issues via Congress YouTube sites:
Personal video messages can be another effective way to communicate with lawmakers at all levels. Consider sharing a video message and sending a link to your lawmakers to view. Messages from the heart make a difference.
Blogs and microblogs are an outlet to express your opinions on many topics and create readership audience. Readers can respond, so blogs offer more of a conversation online.
Microblogging is a short form of communication and on many services are limited to no more than 150 characters. The most popular microblogging tool is Twitter.
You can also subscribe to health care policy blogs or the personal blogs of elected officials to learn about priorities and start a dialogue in these forums. Also, look for opportunities to comment on blogs on newspaper websites to deliver your message on topics relevant to AHA policy issues.
As media continues to evolve, these popular sites may change. So be sure to connect with NCIt and your local organizations who can be a resource for you.
As advocates, it’s important to influence lawmakers who are present on social media through a host of different communication channels to make a difference.
