museum studies, social web media
Museums and social media
Ready for some digital intoxication again:
Adrienne Fletcher, a graduate student in the Department of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida has made a social media museum research survey which says something about how (American) museums intend to and actually use social web media.
Facebook is considered the most effective medium, with Twitter on a second place. Typical time spent is 1-2 staff members for an average of 45 minutes a day. Fletcher’s summary of the results is that:
American museums believe that social media are important but are not currently using it for high levels of dialogic engagement. For the moment, museums are mostly involved with one-way communication strategies using mostly Facebook and Twitter to focus on event listing, reminders, reaching larger or newer audiences, and promotional messaging. However there does seem to be some evidence to suggest that museums are trying to increase their use of social media for more two-way and multi-way communication strategies.
Sounds pretty plausible, also for European ears.
28 Apr 2010 Thomas
While Facebook might be “effective” for a museum, there are drawbacks to having your interaction walled in like that. Personally, I prefer more open formats and platforms, be it blogs, Flickr, Twitter &c.
Hi Gustav, couldn’t agree more: http://www.corporeality.net/museion/2010/05/16/facebook-just-another-uncool-site
Gustav, I think that one of the important elements that came out of the study was that although American museums were using Facebook the most, it became evident that the types of social media most effective for a particular museum needed/s to be individualized to each museum. Therefore in a way it backs up your statement of preferences in that it is important to note that what works for one, does not mean it is the best method/combo for all.
To that effect Thomas, there are plenty of options now in the social media world to become involved in, if Facebook is not agreeable with you. The study definitely also reiterated that it is not important to become involved with ALL types out there- the key is finding what is best for you or your specific organization and then it is HOW you use that tool that matters.