Digital Training Institute

16/10/2023

🎖️ This is a real badge of honour for me from Network Galway and Network Ireland and I'll tell you why.

⏪ Just four years ago I wanted to leave Galway. So badly. My life was in turmoil and I wanted to go home to Donegal where I had support. In fact, I literally ran away for a few months.

⏩ Fast-forward to today and I am an award-winning business owner in Galway and I have bought a home here.

😅 Perseverance, family, friends, and great clients helped me get back to where I deserve to be.

✋ So to everyone that had my back, I'll never forget it!

🙌 I am proud to be the National Finalist, Highly Commended in the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2023 in the Established Businesswoman category which was sponsored by AIB.

26/09/2023

Good morning from Washington. 🇺🇸

The smart people at Content Marketing Institute have added Public Sector Marketing to this year’s agenda.

The first time this topic has had a stage of its own. Of course I’m honoured to be delivering today’s workshop. 👇

06/09/2023

The power of influence.
And the influence to act.
What a week in the European Parliament.
My team are here for EPP Group in the European Parliament Youth Week 2023.

19/11/2020

In this post I'm going to share with you why TikTok presents a real marketing and communications opportunity for government and public sector agencies.

TikTok was the most downloaded app in 2019 in over 40 countries.
The largest demographic is age 16 to 24.

What's the buzz about TikTok?

It is the immersive mobile video content that is created.
There are so many features within TikTok that it has those creators on overdrive.

So why should government and public sector agencies use it?
And if you're not a comedian, if you're not 16 to 24, then is TikTok a place where you should be? Well yes, if you're trying to reach 16 to 24 year olds. But make no mistake that demographic is broadening into 25 plus.

In fact no matter what age you are, TikTok is going to share the videos that it thinks will resonate with you on your ‘for you’ page.

So let's get started. Let's get into some essential quick tips for setting up a TikTok account for a government or a public sector agency.
1 - Have a purpose
Make sure that you think about your why on TikTok.
Why are you there?
Are you there to reach a younger audience, that you're unable to reach on social networks?
If so, then make sure that the content you create directly speaks to them.

If it's about having and sharing public health messaging on the platform, then make sure that the content is creative and it's accessible.

Make sure that you have a TikTok account that represents your username.

If you're not intending to set up your TikTok account now make sure that you get your branded username, before somebody else takes it.

2 - Make sure that you go in with a content plan
At least storyboard out your first 12 TikToks.
I use a free analytics tool to have a look at the performance of TikTok accounts, and that gives me access to the last 12 posts.
So plan out your first 12 posts.

Secondly hack the algorithm by making sure that you're using trending hashtags, trending sounds, trending filters, and trending effects.
That is the quickest way to grow your audience.

3 - Consistency also matters.
You may know that engagement rates on TikTok can be up to 10%.
That's massive and unrivalled, if you compare it to any of the social networks, but like the other social networks, consistency matters.

4 - People
You need people, and you need faces.
People resonate with other human beings.
So have a look right across your organisation and try and get other people involved.
Why not have an internal competition to get people to try to come up with ideas for your TikTok account?

5 - Don't forget the analytics
There are a host of analytics available.
From engagement rate, to most likes, most comments, most viewed videos, trending hashtag, most used keywords used.
Have a look at the insights to inform you as to the way forward for your strategy.

6 - Advertise
You have an opportunity to advertise on the platform.
This will give you a targeted and a segmented audience that you can guarantee, and you can reach on particular topics.

Most of all get familiar with the features on TikTok.

Even if you want to set up the account and keep the videos private until you build up your confidence, and your competencies, that's absolutely fine. But don't disregard TikTok.
It has huge growth.

It's experiencing huge growth because of the immersive mobile video experience.

You can create videos from 15 seconds up to 60 seconds.

They're fast, they're fun, they're engaging, and let's face it, public sector and government is all about people.

It's about winning hearts and minds, and there's definitely a place for you there.

17/11/2020

I'm going to share with you the top three social media trends for 2021.

Talkwalker in conjunction with HubSpot interviewed thousands of marketers and surveyed them on the top 10 trends that industry experts suggested would be most dominant in 2021.
I was lucky enough to be part of the industry voice, and in fact my trend for 2021 appears at number two.

3 - The major social networks are still going to remain dominant.

The major platforms aren't going to disappear and they aren't going to be taken over by the next new social network.

So for the government and public sector, you really need to cement your presence on;
Facebook, the public facing social network.
Twitter, where you engage with the media, stakeholders, interest groups for corporate communications.
Instagram, to bring audiences behind the scenes and to show the people and the culture behind your organisation.
LinkedIn, this platform really is about profiling yourself among a professional network.
The world health organisation, as an example, grew by 200% in 18 months over on LinkedIn, they realised that the LinkedIn network was a powerful advocate voice for public health messaging and those on LinkedIn held senior leadership roles.
TikTok, a social network that is centered around the content and how that content is created.
So if you're thinking about TikTok and stepping into TikTok for 2021, it's all about vertical, mobile video, up to 60 seconds in length, fast moving, with hashtags, effects, filters and sounds at the center.
If nothing else, get your team on TikTok to practice creating really great mobile video.

2 - The rise of digital misinformation.

This is a huge concern for all of us, as bad actors take over the social networks for their own personal gain, and for a gain that is probably not aligned with the government or public sector or indeed with those of you who act on social media for good.

How can you disrupt the rise and the spread of digital misinformation?
Well it's as simple as stepping up and publishing more long-form fact-based content right across the social networks.

Remember consistency and volume will trump virality every single time.

We all have a responsibility to stop the spread of fake news, and in particular those of you those in government and in politics and working in the public services, have a real responsibility to the people to step out and to make sure that the truth spreads online faster than lies, fake news and misinformation.

1 - The rise of the socially conscious audience.

Citizens care about transparency.
Citizens care about the environment.
Citizens care about making a difference.

The citizen voice and those that are socially conscious are speaking out and they are speaking up.

Their voice is potentially going to be louder and heard more than the government, political or the public sector voice, it's really important that we allow those people to speak, and it's really important that we listen.

But the big prediction for 2021 is that the rise of the socially conscious audience is going to have a deeper footprint on social media. For the government and public sector you can align yourselves with those voices that are in tune with what your policies are.

So for 2021 let's use social media for good and let's all be aware of what part we are playing in disrupting misinformation.

08/10/2020

[FOCUS GROUP CALL OUT]

I'm looking for owners/managers/staff from businesses to join my focus group for our new
Professional Diploma in Social Media for Business

Next Thurs, 15 October at 3pm for 1 hour

Complete the form to get the link: http://bit.ly/socialmediaFG

08/07/2020

Would you like to learn how to generate business from LinkedIn? We have partnered with Rural Enterprise Skillnet to deliver this practical workshop delivered by Sweeney.

More details below ⬇️

Could your LinkedIn profile be working harder for your business? This **Online Course Only €60** will teach you how to leverage LinkedIn more effectively for better results. Set clear LinkedIn goals, enhance your profile, create engaging content and showcase pages, grow your network, advertise and convert leads. This is a great opportunity to re-ignite your profile and drive your business on this key social media platform. The course runs online on the 21st and 28th July from 10am-12.30pm and is facilitated by Digital Training Institute. Limited places available. Book your spot now at 👉 https://bit.ly/2ZQGWJs 👈.

Our training programs are open to all private or commercial semi-state companies based in the Republic of Ireland

01/04/2020

Now has never been a better time to pivot your business as online and social media surges.

Luckily I did this three years ago with the help of my mentor Sigrun Gudjonsdottir.

You probably are unsure if your business is suitable as an online business. But you'd be surprised how you can turn what you know or sell into an online business.

I turned my knowledge into e-learning products and online coaching.

Have a look at Sigrun's turnaround programme, because now might be the time to transform. Joanne. x

Create Sustainable Online Revenue in 10 Weeks: Join this group coaching intensive and get the in-depth support you need to market and sell your new recession-proof offer - and set your business up for long-term success.

18/02/2020

29/11/2019

Today I met Irish entrepreneurs making it in Australia. What a great morning meeting new people and sharing my own business story and a roadmap for online success. Thank you Wilson Lawyers for hosting the November Breakfast Briefing. What a fantastic boardroom overlooking Brisbane City.

28/11/2019

3 Takeaways from Australia & Government Communications

11/09/2019

It was great to attend the event in Brussels last night.