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    Social Media Checklist

    Social Media Deep Dive

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    First: A Few Things To Know

    Different Social platforms have different pro’s and con’s, but there are some key factors to keep in mind across the board:

    1. Make sure to identify yourself as a constituent
      1. According to a recent Congressional Management Foundation study entitled #SocialCongress 2015, A social media post from a constituent can influence a Member of Congress 59% of the time. While a “person with unclear constituent status” only has influence 21% of the time.
    2. If you have an affiliation with the ABA, say so
      1. The same study found if a constituent shows an affiliation with an association, such as the ABA, they now have influence 69% of the time.
    3. Timing is everything
      1. Social media can be a great link directly to your elected officials but you can easily be lost in the noise of everything else going on. Teaming up with other members will give you strength in numbers.
      2. The study found that if the constituent that is affiliated with a specific group teams up with other constituents, then they now have influence 78% of the time!
    4. Always try to use pictures, videos, or links
      1. Using visual elements not only makes your post more engaging, it also boosts your importance in the algorithms embedded in the social media platforms. Including these elements will get your posts seen by more people for a longer amount of time. 

    Twitter is a favorite of congressional offices and can be extremely effective, but it is hard to be heard above the noise. Follow the below checklist to make sure your voice is heard:

    Twitter Checklist
    Twitter Checklist  
    Include the Handle of your Member of Congress This is the name of their account and starts with '@' and will notify them of your message -- ABA campaigns will include a tool that automatically does this for you.
    Include your ask Members are 85% more likely to respond if there is a reason to support/oppose legislation in the post.
    Use campaign hashtags This will unify your group and message (see #3 above for importance).
    Hashtag your district This will identify you as a constituent (see #1 above). Use the format: #CA-23 or #TX-7
    Include an image or video detailing the importance of the issue Nothing is more valuable than a quick video testimonial. Turn your selfie camera on and start filming! If not a video, then a picture is worth a thousand words.
    If you REPLY to a post - Include a period before their Twitter handle  

    @TwitterHandle = a direct conversation and shows up only on your two timelines.

    .@TwitterHandle = Shows up on all your follower’s timelines.
    Link to something where they can take action or get more informed Twitter boasts the highest click-through rate. Lead them somewhere important.
    Include @ABAGrassroots This will identify you with an affiliation to the ABA (see #2 above).

    Facebook is also a go-to for congressional offices, but getting in front of the right people can be tricky. Follow this checklist to get your message in the right places to move the needle in Congress:

    Facebook Checklist
    Facebook Checklist  
    Check to see if you can post directly on their page, or comment on their post Not all Facebook pages are “open” for posts. If this is the case, look to see if you can comment on a related post. If not, simply “Mention” them in your post. 
    Include your ask Members are 85% more likely to respond if there is a reason to support/oppose legislation in the post.
    Use Campaign Hashtags While a hashtag has more value on Twitter, it still works as a brand to unify your group and message.
    Hashtag your district  This will identify you as a constituent (see #1 above). Use the format: #TX-35 or #CA-12
    Include an image or video detailing the importance of the issue Nothing is more valuable than a quick video testimonial. Turn your selfie camera on and start filming! If not a video, then a picture is worth a thousand words.
    Link to something where they can take action or get more informed After you get them interested in an issue give them somewhere to go. Lead them somewhere important.
    Tag American Bar Association This will identify you with an affiliation to ABA and notify the ABA of your message.

    Now, See Images and Posts You Can Use: