The Western U.P. Michigan Works will show the video streamed version of the seminar put on by MEDA in Lansing on November 9, on the followng days and location:

Tuesday December 7, 2010, 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., Houghton Michigan Works Conference Room
902 Razorback Drive, 482-6916

Wednesday December 8, 2010, 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., L'Anse Michigan Works Conference Room, American Legion Building, 524-5300
Friday December 10, 2010, 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., Ontonagon Michigan Works Conference Room, 429 River Street, 884-4753

Why Use Social Media for Economic Development
Why Your Board/Council Should Support Social Media

1. Social Media Websites & Tools
This session will show attendees the social media outlets that are creating the most buzz – Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter – and go over the most popular tools in each, including: discussion boards, announcements, recommendations, event invitations, content management and tools for measuring results.
Mark J. James, CEcD, Principal, ED Solutions, Inc.

2. Myths/Perceptions
Updating social media will take time away from other important duties… My computer can catch all kinds of viruses… Users will post negative comments on my page… There’s a lot of useless information out there, my customers will never find me… I’m happy with email… If you’ve thought any of the above, you should attend this session, which will cover the myths and perceptions that create reservations about using social media.
Mark J. James, CEcD, Principal, ED Solutions, Inc.

3. Why Do it for Economic Development?
With social media, you can reach new audiences with up-to-date, time-stamped information about your organization and its activities – and you don’t even have to pay web hosting fees! This and other benefits to using social media go beyond your website and other typical means of information distribution and relationship maintenance.
Mark J. James, CEcD, Principal, ED Solutions, Inc.

4. Developing a Plan and a Policy
Before you even start using social media, you may have to seek approval to access it at work, so it is a good idea to have a plan and a policy in place. This session will go over aspects of plan development such as social media listening/research and deciding who will manage which components. Policy development will cover who has access to social media websites in your organization, what to do if a negative comment is posted on your page, and other appropriate scenarios, so that your city council or management unit knows that your social media use is well-planned and protected.
Ara Topouzian, Economic Development Director, City of Novi
Rob Petty, Chief Information Officer, City of Novi

5. Case Studies/Best Practices in Economic Development Social Media
Some economic development organizations are actively using social media as part of their economic development strategies. Hear from two organizations about how they create multiple pages for different target audiences; create fanpages for events, their specific retention and expansion uses and other methods that you can easily apply to your strategy.
Ara Topouzian, Economic Development Director, City of Novi
Brent Jones, Project Specialist, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership

Kevin Manninen
Regional Economic Coordinator
Western U.P. Planning & Development Region
ph: 906.482.7205 Ext. 320
Cell 906 370 4438
www.wuppdr.com