Finding your voice – Developing a distinctive personality on social media
Channel: Royal Holloway Library
Date: 2021-06-11

A recording of the event 'Finding your voice – Developing a distinctive personality on social media' held on 8th June 2021. 

Social media is an increasingly important tool for libraries to connect and engage with their users. Social media not only enables libraries to promote their services but also build an online community.

However, a challenge with social media is crafting distinctive content which is appealing, engaging and cultivates a digital community. A hallmark of many successful social media accounts is an identifiable personality. In this event speakers from the University of York Library, University of Liverpool Library, Manchester Metropolitan University Library and Royal Holloway Library will share their experiences and different approaches to developing a distinctive voice on their respective social media channels. The speakers provide their top tips and guidance on how you can get the most out of your social media channels.

02.38-23.09 - Nathalie Rees (Manchester Metropolitan University Library) ‘There’s no I in team, but there is in Manchester Met Library!’ 
We’re a large social media team at Manchester Metropolitan University Library (@MMULibrary on Twitter and Instagram) and whilst we try to maintain a consistent voice, we are showcasing our individual personalities as much as possible. This talk will look at how posting as ourselves can make the library service more human and approachable, and attracts a varied audience.
 
24.17-54.20 - Ned Potter (University of York Library) 'Rough Edges and Risks: Building Genuine Relationships Through Library Social Media'.  
The University of York Library's use of social media (@UoYLibrary on Twitter and Instagram) has changed in the last couple of years, to take more risks and mix up the content. The results have included a huge spike in the levels of engagement from students, academics and other University Departments. This presentation looks at what works when trying to build genuine relationships online, between academic libraries and their users. 

55.18-1.25.35 - Patrick Walker and Greg Leurs (Royal Holloway Library) '"Cardigans, kickstools and geese": How we're building a digital community at Royal Holloway Library'. 
Over the last couple of years Royal Holloway Library (@RHUL_Library on Twitter and Instagram) has been using stories, themed content and reoccuring jokes to build a digital community on Twitter. The aim being to create a sense of identify and belonging. In this talk we'll look at how successful this has been and what lessons we've learnt. 

1.25.47-1.59.21 - Amy Lewin (University of Liverpool Library) ‘Promoting belonging and connectivity by building an engaged and active community on social media'.  
The session will focus on how the University of Liverpool Library (@LivUniLibrary on Twitter and Instagram) has grown its social media following over the past 12-18 months, covering strategies for increasing engagement and developing a personal voice, message and tone on Instagram and other social media platforms. 

1.59.39-2.16.49 - Panel Q&A.