Today I had the pleasure of attending a seminar on using social media in a crisis. It was presented to a roomful of Public Information Officers, may of whom worked long hours during and after Hurricane Ike. We’re all responsible for communicating on behalf of critical organizations, providing information about services Houstonians need in a crisis.

The seminar was very thorough, though a bit past-faced for a group that included mostly beginners and some intermediate level “gurus.” Many of them don’t actively use social media, even personally. No one came out and asked “what is Twitter?” But, sitting in the crowd, I heard more than one loud whisper scoffing at it’s use.

I like attending these kinds of seminars, given by enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenters. I invariably learn something, even if it’s just a gauge on the mood and open-mindedness of those in attendance. Today, I walked away with more than that.

Tips I picked up at today’s seminar that I hadn’t considered before:

  • Twitter is going to offer “verified accounts” soon — http://bit.ly/FwkXe

  • create a hashtag for your organization or an incident that’s media-worthy; if you don’t, someone else will

  • add commenting to static Web pages; use something like IntenseDebate to add conversations onto parts of your Web site that aren’t interactive — http://www.intensedebate.com/

  • YouTube offers special government accounts that lift the restrictions they have on normal accounts, and they’re free. I have to look into this.

Other things he mentioned that I already knew, but are worth sharing:

  • develop a policy and job aids for social media in advance of a crisis

  • capture video of you or others giving interviews and post unedited in YouTube

  • add ShareThis to your Web pages

  • pick up your “vanity URL” from Facebook starting 11:01 pm Friday night (Central time)

There was much more, all of it great and useful. I’ll see if I can find his presentation posted somewhere to share.

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