In the EMS Week resources on the ACEP website you can find my article, Use Social Media Tools to Celebrate EMS Week Anytime, Anywhere. Facebook is still a rapidly growing social network that is used by many people in your community. A Facebook Fan Page can be the hub for organizing your social media efforts.
Here are three specific ways to use Facebook to accomplish your agency mission, bring recognition to your important work, and deliver community education.
1. Start a Facebook Fan page. Members of your community are looking for your organization on Facebook. I am sure of it. Invite them to join your Facebook page. Then add timely information about events, links to news stories about your organization, and photos of training events, community events, new staff, and new equipment.
2. Use the “Discussions” Tab to engage Facebook users who like your organization. Try a weekly “Ask a Medic” discussion or “List of Three.” Share some information on a topic and then invite friends to ask questions and interact with you.
3. Publicize your Facebook presence with links in your email signature line, badges on your primary organization website or blog, and in printed information about your organization.
Continue to add content to your Facebook page after EMS week and as you prepare for EMS Week 2011. At least once a week check your page for questions and new comments. At the same time add new content – a link, a post about a recent incident, news about staff promotions, photos of new equipment, and videos of training activities.
Your turn: How else can EMS agencies and professionals use Facebook to promote their EMS agency before, during, and after EMS Week 2010?
