Comment by Katie Bacon on October 28, 2010 at 11:08

Thanks for your comment Mike. I agree there can mixed benefits to using Facebook advertising, however I think it worth consideration when attempting to promote an upcoming youth event, service or opportunities. I'm pleased you had a good response from using Facebook to recruit volunteers and young people for a project over the summer - I agree with you it's ALWAYS necessary to still ring/e-mail/post a letter with information in case a young person has not been able to access their facebook account due to various reasons. However, the added benefit is being able to update people attending an event through facebook if there has been a complication or delay to an event (ie the snow last winter or delays with transportation). We were able to get a message out to young people really quickly to cancel an event and invite them to text their friends to spread the news.

In Devon we found that 'core information' could be diluted by too much content on the profile, hence we segregated various projects into facebook groups to prevent confusion. The above blog I was sharing the various options available on facebook to consider when trying to create and share content on a social network site, good content is king. Face to face contact with a youth worker is vital, however, if social network sites can help inform young people who traditionally don't access their local youth provision to come check it out - it's only a good thing.

I personally don't like Facebook it's dull, I preferred Bebo which was more dynamic as you could personalize your profile etc. However, majority young people are spending time on facebook. Interestingly when interviewing young people for my research proposal, they have a Facebook account but also check out or a member of a 'online niche' community related to their personal interest i.e Pink Bike http://www.pinkbike.com/(off road biking forum) The Student Room http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/

Sometimes youth provisions don't need to create a 'online advert' to promote their services, possibly it's more appropriate to create an online profile and take part in conversations that are already taking place on a related subject in various online community forums. Then have a page/group for interested young people to go and check out for more info. The joy of online youth work, there is no one set formula/model of practice due to numerous variables to consider;young peoples requirements/aspirations, digital/IT competencies of youth workers & organisation and vulnerability issues of target group (child protection considerations).

Comment by Andy Appleyard on October 28, 2010 at 12:44

I am about to start working on developing a youth outreach project and find articles like this very interesting. The centre where i am based is open on a Monday evening, Tuesday evening with Duke of Edinburgh on a Wednesday. I am going to attempt to start recruiting volunteers - by sticking a poster in the sixth form common room and perhaps somthing on Do-It.org

We have an outreach van which has just been refurbished and i am now researching suitable locations which are not served with mainstream youth provision. I am / was just going to go ahead with the whole setting up a facebook group for the centre, which will once advertised hopefully attract young people to the page and volunteers!!!!

Comment by Katie Bacon on October 28, 2010 at 18:07

Best of luck with your outreach plans Andy. Drop me an e-mail at info@katibacon.co.uk if you have any questions or call 07841023626 if you want to bounce some ideas around : D

Comment by Andy Appleyard on November 9, 2010 at 21:27

Thank you Katie, just on leave for a few days but i think i will take you up on the offer when i get back to the youth club on Monday. Ta very much.

Add a Comment