“TWIN, Where Have You Been?” GSMCON2024 experience recap
Contributed blog by Angie Ramirez, Freelance Writer at Government Social Media
As I touched down in Palm Springs, I knew I was on my way to see my people.
After GSMCON in Reno last year, my expectations were high—yet somehow, I still underestimated the power of this community and the top-notch event-planning skills of the GSM team.
This year's conference surpassed all expectations. The speakers were SO good. I felt seen, heard, and understood. The energy was palpable, the sessions were outstanding, and the sense of community was stronger than ever. It was heartwarming to reunite with friends from past conferences and exciting to forge new connections with rising stars in the field.
Being a government social media manager can feel lonely at times, but amongst my fellow socialgovies, I just wanted to break out in song and dance to Muni Long’s trending lyrics, “TWIN… where have you been? Nobody knows me like you do.”
Because it’s true! The people you meet at the Government Social Media Conference understand you on a different level. They face many of the same challenges, they get the internet’s odd sense of humor, and they’re always there to offer support and inspiration.
Pre-conference workshop: Mastering Instagram Reels
On a personal level, I have to gush about how grateful I am for everyone who attended my pre-conference workshop, “Mastering Instagram Reels for Government Agencies,” on Monday. Hosting this workshop was a highlight for me because it’s a topic I’m truly passionate about. We covered a lot of ground, including best practices, helpful tools, and some amazing examples of Reels from agencies nationwide.
We also split up into teams to do a hands-on activity where each group was tasked with creating Reels for the Government Social Media Conference. The groups only had 30 minutes for the exercise, so I’m not going to lie… I was a little nervous. But I was blown away by what everyone put together!
Check out some of these funny and relatable reels attendees created during the workshop (and keep an eye on GSM’s Instagram as they feature more!):
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Thank you to everyone who attended, and thank you to the GSM team for having me as a speaker!
Top Conference Takeaways
1. AI is the future
Throughout the conference, one message was clear: AI is not just a buzzword; it's a practical tool that can revolutionize how we operate in the digital sphere. From brainstorming and planning content to creating campaigns and refining scripts, captions, and statements, AI offers vast opportunities to streamline our workflows and increase productivity.
At GSMCON, this vision of enhanced productivity became more tangible than ever. Speaker Zack Seipert, representing the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, cited staggering statistics from a Harvard Business School study: AI users completed 12% more tasks, 25% more quickly, and with 40% higher quality. It's a game-changer, and the implications for the industry are profound.
As a government social media manager who wears many hats, I know that saving time is huge, but it’s also important to use AI strategically and ethically. While AI can certainly augment our capabilities, it's essential to recognize that it's not a replacement for human expertise; rather, it's a complementary tool that empowers us to work smarter and more efficiently.
The Canva Queen, Anndrea Harris, showcased some amazing AI tools within Canva, illuminating the possibilities for enhancing content creation and design. For example, have you ever gotten a really low-quality photo from a field employee that made you wonder… was this taken on a flip phone? Generative AI can help enhance the photo and expand the frame to make it look higher quality overall.
Powerful new AI apps for graphics and video thanks to @canva presentation #GSMCON2024 pic.twitter.com/sixXfW8Frd
— Robert Rogers (@roberthrogers1) April 16, 2024
Zack also gave a value-packed session titled “AI: Your Ultimate Productivity Partner,” where he revealed that there are thousands of AI tools out there. One standout application of AI highlighted during the conference was language translation. Seipert's demonstration revealed the potential for AI-powered translation to break down linguistic barriers and foster inclusivity within diverse communities. By leveraging AI in tasks such as translation, we not only enhance accessibility but also expand the reach and impact of our digital communications.
As we stand on the brink of the AI revolution, it's vital to remember one crucial thing: balance. Yes, AI offers incredible potential to turbocharge our work, but we can't ignore the need for a roadmap—cue the AI policy. This policy isn't just a fancy document; it's our guidebook, laying out the rules of engagement, privacy protections, and ethical guardrails we need to navigate this brave new world. With clear guidelines in place, we can confidently embrace AI's power to drive innovation while staying true to our mission of serving communities with integrity and excellence.
2. Short-form vertical video is king
Short-form vertical video was another major theme at GSMCON. During my session, "Mastering Instagram Reels for Government Agencies," I had the chance to share some of the incredible results we've seen using this format. From building the City of Tampa, Florida’s Instagram following to over 100k (largely thanks to the power of Reels) to moving to Colorado and kick-starting the City of Lakewood’s Instagram presence, I’ve seen how Reels can be a constant force for growth and engagement.
But it's not just me singing Reels' praises. Wendy Aguilar's session, "Reel Success: Instagram's Creative Magic for Public Agency Outreach," showcased some impressive examples from the Sacramento Fire Department (also, check out her interview with Sacramento Fox on her GSMCON experience and passion for the socialgov field!). And Leigh Gibson and Aimee Colton's talk on pivoting from TikTok to Instagram highlighted the enduring appeal of short-form vertical video.
One of the standout moments for me was Nikki Bowers' speed session from the City of Las Vegas. She challenged us all to incorporate vertical content into our daily strategy, and it really drove home the importance of staying ahead of the curve.
Wow, @jlvanderkolk! Girl, you got me shook! You blew my mind w/this compliment!🥰
— Nikki Bowers (@OnlyNikkiBowers) April 18, 2024
I’m so happy you enjoyed the presentation & got some great ideas from it! That’s why #GSMCON is so great!
Plz connect w/me on LinkedIn, and follow the @CityOfLasVegas on all of our channels too! https://t.co/65qOZOweAF
Short-form vertical video isn't just a trend—it's a powerful tool for government social media managers looking to connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.
3. Our jobs are hard
Being a Government Social Media Manager is hard. We’re often our agency’s storytellers, photographers, videographers, graphic designers, brand managers, copywriters, customer service representatives, webmasters, producers, speechwriters, marketing and advertising agents, data analysts, intelligence officers, crisis communicators, silo breakers… and that’s in addition to any other hats we may wear in our roles.
Our work is also subject to intense scrutiny because it’s out there for everyone to see. And if you make a mistake or a typo, the public is not shy about pointing it out. Everyone from trolls to our bosses and elected officials can see our posts, and we are often the voice community members turn to during a crisis.
From the very beginning of the conference, Jon-Stephen Stansel's Opening Remarks validated the challenges we face every day in this field. We were reminded that our roles are not for the faint-hearted; they demand resilience, creativity, and a thick skin.
But amidst the challenges, there's also a sense of empowerment. We are the experts in our field, armed with knowledge of social media best practices that can drive real change. At GSMCON, there was a collective call for our voices to be heard within our teams—to be recognized as valuable contributors whose insights can shape strategy and decision-making.
Yet, as we navigate this demanding landscape, it's essential to prioritize our mental health and well-being. Several sessions at GSMCON were dedicated to this very topic, underscoring the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and finding ways to mitigate the stressors inherent in our roles. Whether it's through mindfulness practices, setting boundaries, or seeking support from peers, protecting our mental health is non-negotiable.
Yes, working in government social media is hard. But it’s made so much easier thanks to the incredible support of the GSM community. I am profoundly grateful to have found a community that not only understands the intricacies of our profession but also prioritizes the crucial balance between public service and personal well-being.
Conclusion
As I reflect on my time at GSMCON, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy and inspiration. The conference was an absolute blast, filled with enriching sessions, engaging conversations, and invaluable connections. While it was a tough task to choose between so many compelling topics, I'm excited to dive into the session recordings for those I missed. For example, if you missed Richard Yeakley's session on "OnlyFans for #SocialGov” you absolutely have to watch it back. Not only was it packed with valuable insights on how to capture attention on social media, but it was entertaining and captivating all the way through. It was like being at a magic show but also an industry conference. Safe to say, Richard Yeakley is an absolute WIZ.
I also want to give a BIG congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the Golden Post Awards! Your creativity, innovation, and dedication to excellence are truly inspiring.
This year's GSMCON was particularly special for me on a personal level, as it was my first year representing the City of Lakewood, Colorado, after moving from the City of Tampa last year. It was bittersweet and emotional cheering on my former Tampa team as they received the award for "Best Use of Social Media in an Emergency" for our work during Hurricane Idalia, which was one of the last things I got to be a part of before leaving the City of Tampa. Watching Tampa win the award gave me so much pride and validation that the work we do as government social media managers, especially in a crisis, really does matter.
And last but not least, I want to give major kudos to the entire GSMCON team for orchestrating yet another incredible conference experience. From start to finish, it was evident that an immense amount of effort and dedication went into making this event a resounding success. Not only was the content top-notch, but the venue was beautiful too.. And can we get a “Whoop! Whoop!” for the Whova App? That was a fantastic upgrade this year that made it even easier to connect with fellow attendees, organize meetups, and navigate the conference schedule seamlessly. Your attention to detail and commitment to enhancing the attendee experience did not go unnoticed, and I'm already eagerly anticipating what you have in store for us next year!
…Speaking of. I'm already counting down the days until next year's GSMCON in Orlando! I can’t wait to head back to Florida to reunite with this amazing community once again. Until then, I'll carry the inspiration and camaraderie of GSMCON with me as I continue to strive for excellence in government social media. Here's to another year of learning, growth, and living for the comments that say, “give the social media manager a raise!” ;)
Meet the author
Angela Ramirez (Pitts)
Freelance Writer - Government Social Media LLC
Angela is an award-winning government communicator who is passionate about leveraging social media to build strong relationships between government agencies and the people they serve. During her tenure with the City of Tampa, Angela proudly maintained a dynamic social media presence for the City, telling Tampa’s story through historic events, including the Super Bowl, the COVID-19 pandemic, major hurricanes, and more. She also helped establish a community-centric social media following for the City, growing the @cityoftampa Instagram profile from less than 1k followers to over 100k in under five years.
She has recently moved to the beautiful state of Colorado and now serves as Communications Manger for the City of Lakewood, the 5th largest city in the state. Her passion for government social media continues as she strives to be a thought leader in the field. She takes immense pride in the connections she’s made with social media professionals across the nation.
Angela earned her bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and is currently completing her master's degree in Digital Strategy from the University of Florida. In her free time, you can find her scrolling Instagram Reels, spending time with her husband and dog, or planning her next big adventure.
Government Social Media empowers government professionals to achieve mastery in social media through conferences, online training, and professional association membership.
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