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Tech Tools Build Government Participation
Digital media cannot be ignored as a way to distribute information. Certainly newspapers and snailmail are still important for certain segments of the population, but the facts show that people are increasingly going digital to get their information.
- Online news readers surpassed print news readers in 2010. Details
- Mail volume at the USPS dropped 25% over the last five years. Details
- And more than three quarters of the US uses the internet. Details
Government officials know these statistics, too, and are scrambling to make use of digital media tools to connect with citizens.
Public servants and their departments find their biggest issue is choosing the right technological tools. Which ones will attract the most people? Which are easiest for the staff to maintain? Which can be supported by an ever-shrinking budget?
No one tool will meet every need. Twitter is a fast, although limited, way to get information out. Facebook encourages participation. Websites can be vast, but easily searchable, repositories of information. Used together, these “Big Three” are providing more transparent, accessible government.
Seeing the need, Sprocket Websites recently expanded its Digital Governance support. Will County was one of the first government websites we built, and later we helped Will County create a secure, web-based solution for the marriage and civil union licensing at the four County Clerk’s offices.
Sprocket also assisted DeKalb State’s Attorney Clay Campbell to create and integrate his website, Facebook page and Twitter account, and we have been working with Henry County to build their new website as well.
Every government client has specialized needs and concerns, and Sprocket Websites works hard to customize the experience for each. In addition to building rich and powerful websites, we train office staff to maintain the pages or provide maintenance services if preferable. We can also provide social media experts to keep Facebook and Twitter streams fresh.
Rich Klicki of The Daily Herald Business Ledger wrote a great article about Sprocket Websites following the recent release of a study on government's use of social media by the University of Illinois-Chicago. We invite you to take a look at Rich's article as well as our own Digital Governance page to learn more. If you have any questions – or suggestions for government offices needing a digital makeover! – contact us today. We’re always happy to help!
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Kate Gingold
I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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