Engaging on Social Media
Social media can be a great tool in advocating for arthritis. Use these tips to get the most out of the different platforms.
Why Use Social Media?
Social media is the creation and exchange of ideas on a website or application (app). It ranges from putting a photo on Instagram to tweeting your ideas or messages to your elected official.
Social media is instantaneous. There is no faster way to reach millions of people with your message. Social media also levels the playing field. Anyone can connect with politicians, celebrities and other important figures through social media.
One of the best ways to spread your message and reach prominent figures is through social media. The Arthritis Foundation supports using social media in advocacy efforts. Do you tweet healthy recipes and exercise tips? Do you share articles about arthritis on Facebook? If so, you’re an Advocate.
Users create personal profiles, add friends, exchange messages and post photos, videos and updates. Professional figures or organizations have special profiles called pages, which users can “like.” When users like a page or add a friend, their updates will appear on the newsfeed.
What You Can Do
- “Like” the Arthritis Foundation and other health and wellness organizations on Facebook. You’ll get frequent health and wellness updates on your newsfeed.
- Share relevant posts on your wall for your friends to see and learn from.
- Post about a topic you care about on your own page, or your elected official’s Facebook wall.
- Ask your elected officials to “friend” you on Facebook.
Best Practices
- Don’t just post. Comment and share posts from other individuals or organizations you find interesting.
- Be sure to “tag” relevant individuals (like the Arthritis Foundation and your elected officials) in your posts.
- Use “hashtags” so more people can find your posts. Example: #Arthritis #AdvocateForArthritis
Possible Positive Outcome
The articles and advocacy information you share may encourage others to become an advocate.
Users send out short (280 characters or fewer) messages called tweets. Tweets can be posted on the feed for followers to see, or tweeted directly at individuals, for only them to see.
What You Can Do
- Follow the @ArthritisFdn and other health and wellness organizations on Twitter.
- Retweet tweets you like about arthritis and management techniques.
- Tweet at your elected official an advocacy issue you care about.
Best Practices
- If your tweets begin with a Twitter handle, use a period before the handle if you want all of your followers to see it. Without the period, it will only be sent to your elected official. Example: .@congressmember please vote for a bill that caps copays and makes medications more affordable! #advocateforarthritis
- Less is more. Tweets that don’t use all 280 characters get more traction.
- Make it a conversation. Don’t just tweet. Favorite and reply to tweets you find relevant and interesting.
- If you want to add a thought when retweeting, write “your comment here” RT @twitterhandle “the original tweet.”
- Use hashtags so more people can find your posts. Example: #Arthritis #AdvocateForArthritis #AsktheAF
- Use a link shortener like .bitly to save characters.
Possible Positive Outcomes
Enough tweets could educate your elected official about what matters to his/her constituents.
YouTube
Users upload, view and share videos.
What You Can DO
- Subscribe to the Arthritis Foundation to watch the latest recordings of our Advocacy webinars like Ambassador Briefings or the Advocate Webinar Series.
- Create videos that allow you to share your personal arthritis story in support of a particular bill.
- Ask your elected officials to support arthritis-related legislation in your area.
- Comment on videos you like.
Best Practices
- When uploading videos, use lots of relevant tags so people can find them.
- Tag the elected officials you want to target – most have YouTube accounts.
- Share your playlists on other social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
Users take photos, apply filters and often share them on other social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
What You Can Do
- Follow @arthritisfoundation on Instagram.
- Post photos of yourself with your elected official.
- Take photos of your arthritis management methods, like cooking a healthy meal or exercising.
- Favorite and comment on photos you like.
Best Practices
- Use a variety of filters to catch eyes.
- Tag relevant individuals or organizations in your posts.
- Share your photos on Facebook and Twitter for maximum effect.
- Use hashtags so more people can find your posts. Example: #Arthritis #AdvocateForArthritis #AsktheAF
Possible Positive Outcomes
The photo from your last meeting with a legislator may inspire someone to #AdvocateForArthritis
Advocate for What's Right
As an Arthritis Advocate, you’ll feel good about taking action to make health care more accessible. Help shift the policy and public perception that affects those living with arthritis.