SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT #ProFellows Edition November 2018
About Professional Fellows Program (PFP) The Professional Fellows Program brings together emerging leaders from around the world who are working in the legislative process and governance, civic engagement, NGO management, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, and journalism arenas with American counterparts from across the country. Fellows take part in intensive fellowships in national, state and local government and legislative offices, NGOs, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Each individual month-long fellowship is designed to explore the relationship between American civil society and government and how this relationship informs and strengthens citizen participation, transparency, and accountability while broadening the Fellow's professional expertise. The Professional Fellows Program also establishes structured interaction among American and international participants aimed at developing sustained professional ties and lasting partnerships. The PFP takes place in spring (April - June) and fall (October - November). WATCH: Professional Fellows Program alumni discuss their experiences and knowledge gained during their fellowships. Video by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.
PROFESSIONAL FELLOWS CONGRESS More than 550 Fellows from 60 countries and territories will participate in Professional Fellows Congresses. The events will take place May 30 June 1, 2018 and November 14 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Congresses mark the completion of 5-6 week professional fellowships undertaken by each Fellow. The 3-day conference is "Ambassadors of Change" and will include keynote and panel discussions with national thought leaders, as well as professional training designed to support the development of projects aimed at furthering civic engagement and civil society in the Fellow's home countries. The Professional Fellows Congress is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). The Professional Fellows Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is supported in its implementation by 15 U.S. not-for-profit organizations. SOCIAL MEDIA Social media works best when there is a robust and active community of contributors. It provides a platform that brings the Professional Fellows Program alive in real and shareable ways and fosters the exchange of ideas among all those involved in the program. Social media amplifies the impact of the Professional Fellows Program as well as participating individuals and organizations. Share your Professional Fellows' experiences, insights, discoveries, photos, and video via social media!
Hashtags, Handles + Facebook Pages Use the hashtags #ProFellows and #ExchangeOurWorld to engage with the Professional Fellows community during the fellowship program and Congress. Professional Fellows Division Twitter @ProFellows Facebook Facebook.com/ProFellows/ Website http://1.usa.gov/1xigaub Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Twitter Facebook Instagram @ECA_AS @ECAatState Facebook.com/ExchangeProgramsAtState Instagram.com/ExchangeOurWorld United States Department of State Twitter @StateDept Facebook Facebook.com/USDOS This year, the Professional Fellows Congress will be hosted by the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Use hashtag #PFCongress during the Congress, and even see your pictures displayed on the Big Screen! American Council of Young Political Leaders Twitter @ACYPL Facebook Facebook.com/ACYPL Instagram Instagram.com/ACYPL Snapchat Snapchat.com/add/acypl Website acypl.org CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: Click here to join the private #ProFellows Facebook Group
Things To Think About Tips for Making Your Social Media Efforts a Success: If you are new to social media, ask other Fellows or American counterparts for help. Write a press release, an op-ed, or create a media advisory to get the word out about your role in the Professional Fellows Program. Post links on your social media pages. Re-tweet or share posts on your Facebook wall Get permission before posting names, quotes or photographs/videos of others, even on your own page. Be aware of and follow all mobile device policies - Some government agencies and local businesses may not allow electronic devices in their buildings or may request that they be turned off. Continuous, engaged coverage is key to a successful social media campaign!
Social Media Content Tips Tips for creating a successful social media campaign: An authentic voice - be yourself! Context: provide the who/what/when/where Action photos and links to photo sharing accounts (like Tumblr or Flickr) Media articles written by or about Fellows Participant/speaker quotes Links to Fellows' blogs Short highlights (with a photo) from notable activities Video highlights or relevant YouTube videos Twitter Include a link or a photo with each tweet Join the PFP conversation by using one of the suggested hashtags (#ProFellows, #PFCongress) Use the handles of your fellows and people/organizations they are meeting with Consider using a social media scheduling tool like HootSuite or TweetDeck Facebook Share a photo with every post Tag your fellows and the people/organizations they are meeting with when posting a photo Use one of the suggested hashtags when posting to Facebook as well Videos and Photos If you are using a mobile device, hold your device horizontally and take widelens footage and pictures, to avoid a narrow field of view Look for opportunities to film and shoot "action shots" Film and shoot in places where there is plenty of natural light Less is more - post images showing close-ups of individual Fellows or smaller group shots (3-6 people)
Sample Tweets If You Are Searching For What to Share... During Fellowship Today I start my @ProFellows fellowship at (insert host organization s Twitter handle) in (insert city/state). Can't wait to get started! #profellows I m excited to join the #ExchangeAlumni family as a @Profellows with (insert fellowship host s Twitter handle). #profellows For the next (insert number of weeks) I ll be working in the United States with (insert fellowship host s Twitter handle) and (insert grantee organization s Twitter handle) thru the #ProFellows program! Many thanks to (insert fellowship host s Twitter handle) for hosting me for the #ProFellows program. #ExchangeAlumni I m working with (insert host organization s Twitter handle) in the area of (insert subject) in (insert city/state) thru the @Profellows program! #profellows Check out what I ve beeing doing for the past (insert number) days/weeks with (insert fellowship host s Twitter handle) (insert picture, video, or other media) #profellows #ExchangeAlumni During PF Congress Excited to be in Washington DC, convening with 300 other int l professionals at the #pfcongress! #profellows (insert photo) I m excited to meet 300 other #profellows from all over the world at the #pfcongress! (insert photo) I m most excited to hear from (insert speaker s or organization s Twitter handle) during the #pfcongress in Washington DC! #profellows #ExchangeAlumni Working with (insert grantee organization s Twitter handle) for the @Profellows program has been amazing! Now in DC for the #pfcongress. Happy to be given this opportunity to meet 300 other int l professionals from around the world at the #pfcongress. #profellows #PFCongress is underway! Can't wait to hear what (insert speaker's twitter handle) has to say on (insert subject)
Sample Facebook Posts During Fellowship Program Today I start my @ProFellows fellowship at (insert host organization s Facebook Page) in (insert city/state). Can't wait to get started! #profellows (insert photo) I m excited to join the #ExchangeAlumni family as a @Profellows with (insert fellowship host s Facebook Page), and gain professional experience in the area of (insert subject area). #profellows For the next (insert number) of weeks, I ll be working in the United States with (insert fellowship host Facebook Page) and (insert grantee organization s Facebook Page) thru the @Profellows program! I am excited to gain professional experience in the US! #profellows Check out what I ve beeing doing for the past (insert number) days/weeks with (insert fellowship host s Facebook Page). (insert picture, video, or other media) #profellows #ExchangeAlumni Many thanks to (insert fellowship host s name) and (insert grantee organization s Facebook Page) for hosting me for the @ProFellows program. #ExchangeAlumni During PF Congress Excited to be in Washington DC, convening with 300 other international professionals at the #pfcongress! #profellows (insert photo) For the next 3 days, I ll be participating in workshops and seminars at the #pfcongress taking place in DC w/ 300 other #profellows. (insert photo) I m most excited to hear from (insert Speaker s names or organization s Facebook Page) and meet U.S. Department of State and Exchange Programs- U.S. Department of State officials during the #pfcongress in Washington DC! #profellows I m excited to meet 300 other #profellows from all over the world at the #pfcongress! Today, we ll be hearing from (insert Speaker s names or organizations). (insert photo) Happy to be given this opportunity to meet 300 other international professionals from around the world at the #pfcongress. #profellows (insert photo)
Resources Professional Fellows Program on YouTube: Collection of ProFellows Albums on Flickr: http://bit.ly/1d0cygr http://bit.ly/1rovzvy Professional Fellows Program Page on ECA Website: http://1.usa.gov/1xigaub YSEALI Professional Fellows Program Page on ECA Website: Professional Fellows Grantee Organizations information: http://1.usa.gov/1yy7iq0 https://bit.ly/2sjvpsj US Embassy Twitter handles and Facebook pages: http://bit.ly/1rqvt5c For information about the Professional Fellows Congress visit: https://bit.ly/2sjvpsj Tools TweetDeck: Twitter Publisher Canva: Graphic Design Tool HootSuite: Social Media Publisher PicMonkey: Simple Photo Editor
Questions? Questions? Contact us at: Professional Fellows Division: American Council of Young Political Leaders Della Hareland at HarelandD@state.gov Gabe Bastomski at gbastomski@acypl.org Professional Fellows Congress: pfcongress@acypl.org