Government Social Media 101

Monday, May 19, 2025
9:30 - 11:30am ET

Welcome to government social media!

This comprehensive workshop is an introduction for communicators who are new to managing social media for government agencies, or for more experienced socialgovs looking to refine their fundamental skills. Build your strong government social media foundation with the topics covered in this workshop by gaining a solid understanding of the essential frameworks, strategies, and tools needed to effectively communicate, engage, and serve your public.

What you'll learn:

• How to build your framework for government social media management, including introductory info on crafting policies & strategic plans and accessibility & legal considerations;

• Navigating the unique challenges of government social media and how to address common obstacles;

• How to best leverage major social media platforms to reach your audiences;

• Creating compelling content that resonates with your community and aligns with your agency’s goals and the tools & techniques for efficient content management;

• Best practices for managing public comments, addressing negativity, fostering positive interactions, and best practices to engage with your community while increasing public trust;

• Building your government social media community and creating a new network of colleagues to aid in your professional growth!

Join this workshop led by experts from the GSM professional association Training Committee, and start your journey towards achieving mastery in government social media! By the end of this course, you'll be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections to navigate the ever-evolving social media landscape confidently and successfully.

AI 301 - Leveraging AI for Government Social Media Success

Monday, May 19, 2025
12:30 - 2:30pm ET

Step into the future of government social media! Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we approach government communications and social media — are you ready to unlock the potential AI has to offer?

In this hands-on pre-conference workshop, we’re delving deep into this new, rapidly changing AI landscape, all from the perspective of how you can responsibly harness this power as a government social media professional. Gain practical takeaways and strategic recommendations on:

1. Creating your AI roadmap of success, including where to start with AI, gaining stakeholder approval, policy recommendations & more;

2. Using AI to elevate your agency’s social media presence and increase engagement, while making your role more efficient & effective;

3. Navigating potential pitfalls and ethical considerations, and what you can do to transparently incorporate AI; 

4. Exploring emerging trends and innovations in AI and how you can effectively prepare for & adapt;

5. Real-time walk-throughs & hands-on applications on platforms to integrate into your social media strategies today!

Unlock the potential of AI in government social media by joining this workshop in spring 2025! You’ll leave this session equipped with the tools to harness the benefits of AI responsibly and ensure you stay at the forefront of digital innovation for AI’s future in public sector communication.

Short-Form Video 201 - Crafting Engaging Videos from Planning to Publishing

Monday, May 19, 2025
3 - 5pm ET

Mastering short-form video is essential for cutting through the noise and connecting with your community in today’s fast-paced social media world. In this hands-on workshop, tailored specifically for government social media professionals, you’ll learn and practice the step-by-step process of planning, creating, and publishing engaging short-form videos—using simple tools like your smartphone, with no need for fancy equipment.

From ideation and storyboarding to editing and optimizing for social platforms, you’ll gain both knowledge and practical experience to create high-quality content that reaches and resonates with your audience. By the end of the session, you’ll have the tools and insights to confidently produce impactful short-form videos for your agency, even with limited resources.

What you'll learn:

• How to plan and storyboard impactful short-form videos that align with your agency's goals and message;

• Best practices for shooting, editing, and publishing videos on platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts;

• Techniques for creating compelling, concise videos that engage your audience while navigating the unique challenges of government communication;

• Strategies for agencies with limited resources to produce high-quality short-form videos.

This workshop will be led by an award-winning communicator with over 15 years of experience producing videos for both the private and public sectors. She has served as a media and communications specialist for the Sacramento Fire Department, leading numerous award-winning social media campaigns, and now runs her own company, Second Alarm Communications, where she empowers communications and PR professionals to become their own newsmakers.