Dear Relay Mentor

Dear Relay Mentor, 

I just had a new volunteer interested in being our Social Media Lead. Where should they start? What resources should they look into? And would you be able to do some one-on-one training?

Thanks,

A Silicon Valley Central Coast RFL Event Lead 

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Dear Silicon Valley Central Coast RFL Event Lead,

I just have to start with a big YAY! Congratulations on getting a volunteer to help with social media, that's great news!!

For social media there are different social media outlets to consider, the main ones in the San Francisco Bay Area are: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Slack (and that's not including the video focused sites like YouTube and Twitch). I recommend taking the time to see what your volunteer is most comfortable with and what your goals are. Most people over the age of 35 have a Facebook account and generally that is the social media where most of your donors and participants will be accessing. Instagram's largest following is young adults, Snapchat is generally for teens and youth, while Twitter is more company and corporate based (Slack is generally used by very tech savvy individuals which is why it's used so much in the Bay Area but it's also set up differently then other styles of social media). Generally I recommend Facebook and one other social media outlet that meets your event's goals. (If you want younger people to attend your event you may want to choose Instagram or Snapchat. If your focus is growing sponsorships maybe Twitter is the right choice.) Just remember to start slow and build on as your volunteer has time or as you create a social media team.

As for resources, I would start with this website which has lots of information. But here are my favorite to get someone started:

* ACS Brand Toolkit (has access to all the national content, pictures, ACS branding guidelines, social media toolkit, best practices, etc. - does require approval which takes a few days)

* ACS Volunteer Learning Center (LOTS of great trainings including one for Social Communication)

* Relay Volunteer Social Media Training

* Relay National Email Calendar

* For content I recommend starting with my Social Media calendars listed on the blog, following other local and Nation social media, and posting what is happening with your event

I would also be happy to try and meet with your volunteer by phone, online, or in-person!  It can be difficult to coordinate, but if your volunteer would like direct support I am available (volunteers outside of the Silicon Valley Central Coast area are recommended to talk to their Relay Area Lead volunteers for local support and feel free message us to see if we can help provide additional support).

Congratulations again on your new volunteer and best of luck having amazing social media communication for your upcoming Relay!

~Your Relay Mentor