Arts organisations and social media

After working with some arts organisations on their social media strategies, I've had a few thoughts. The thoughts also arise from books I've read and advice. So much of the world is online now, and its important in people's daily lives. In offices we spend most of our day on computors working. This is where people live and breathe nowadays - where the social networks, communities, groups, meet-ups, conversations, comments all happen.

Because of this, the social media and online activity of anyone is just like a party, or social interaction in real life. And the same rules apply. You follow social codes, you contribute to the conversation in some way - whether that's by being funny, being a good listener, showering the company with interesting facts in a digestible, interesting manner.

It's a simple point but one that more organisations could use on their online platforms - whether that's social media, or indeed their website. In the case of a platform not immediately disposed to encourage contributions, why not create the context and the opportunity for the audience to do so. After all, we generally like to be active rather than passive, don't we?