There's a repository of case studies you may have come across. It's useful if you are starting out or a hardened geek with a range of links that you'll find helpful.
by Dan Slee
One of the great things about the web is the amount of good case studies shared.
One of the worst things about the web is that it's so hard to find them.
Step forward the Digital Engagement Guide which aims to be a veritable storehouse of good examples across government and local government. Much of it is transferrable to the private sector too.
A quick disclaimer I submitted a handful of examples to Steph Gray of Helpful Technology when the idea was first mooted. Since then the site has grown into a rich seam of content. The idea is simple. A screenshot. A link, some tags to help you search and a brief summary all grouped under headers. Brilliant.
Here are 15 links from the site that would help the person looking for some digital comms inspiration:
A good Facebook page. Sandwell Council has one that is witty, engaging and timely. Claire Bustin should feel proud of having built a really useful channel. You can see it here: http://bit.ly/X0xP2Y
Ground rules for digital engagement. Nick Halliday created this one slide guide for the National Audit Office to allow innovation within safe limits. You can see it here. http://bit.ly/Ru2Tpd
Social media guidance. Often people put up barriers to using digital. 'What about the risks?' they ask. The US Military social media guidelines drives a coach and horses - or should that be a Sherman tank? - through the obstacles http://bit.ly/Z8lPeA
A digital press office. Built in WordPress this site helped the British Government communicate with people about London 2012. From road closure to travel advice. http://bit.ly/MOYV75
A hub for social media. Monmouthshire Council so some pioneering things with digital channels. Rather than one profile to rule them all they have micro-accounts and they list them here: http://bit.ly/QCteBx
What is safe for a civil servant to post? A slightly comic infographic with a serious point to map out where the red lines are. http://bit.ly/IVeFW7
Social networking guidance for employwers. A useful list of rights and wrongs that are just as useful to staff as management http://bit.ly/HL3oGQ
A customer use policy. New York City Council wants customers to use its social media sites. Here are some ground rules for them to abide by. http://bit.ly/YLsCf6
Coca Cola's social principles. The corporate policy of the behemoth that is a useful starting point for policy. http://bit.ly/62LhLA
Social media metrics. The means of measuring effectiveness of digital campains is a source of debate. Here are some ideas. http://bit.ly/H5xrXY
You can see the rest of the Digital Engagement Guide here.
Dan Slee is co-creator of comms2point0. He also blogs here.