After 4.5 years of leading the @IFRC social media efforts, last week I said goodbye to colleagues & friends. It was a wild ride!
Together we did some work we are proud of.
We used social media in creative ways.
We added value to our members.
We learnt together.
Here's a 👋🏽🧵
Together we did some work we are proud of.
We used social media in creative ways.
We added value to our members.
We learnt together.
Here's a 👋🏽🧵
When I joined @IFRC, I wanted to:
-Elevate our social media presence
-Position the organization digitally
-Focus on shareable content & formats
-Organise social media trainings & events
-Help colleagues communicate better
-Learn from the best
I believe that worked out well!
-Elevate our social media presence
-Position the organization digitally
-Focus on shareable content & formats
-Organise social media trainings & events
-Help colleagues communicate better
-Learn from the best
I believe that worked out well!
I started at @IFRC in October 2018.
Back then the team was considering closing our Facebook page.
I suggested we may give it a try—with truly shareable content.
This image from the @CroixRouge was our 1st post with more than 2k shares in a long time.
Shareability works.
Back then the team was considering closing our Facebook page.
I suggested we may give it a try—with truly shareable content.
This image from the @CroixRouge was our 1st post with more than 2k shares in a long time.
Shareability works.
In November 2018, @Amressam85 invited me to the @WYFEgypt to speak about creative uses of social media.
I shared how @IFRC_MENA teamed up with Facebook to increase blood donations during Ramadan in the Middle East.
My friend @ranasidani did a great job leading that effort.
I shared how @IFRC_MENA teamed up with Facebook to increase blood donations during Ramadan in the Middle East.
My friend @ranasidani did a great job leading that effort.
In how many ways can we say #ThanksVolunteers?
For International Volunteer Day 2018 we wanted to show how truly global the @IFRC network is.
That meant one asset for each country.
That meant: TW thread, FB album, IGTV recap.
A new approach.
For International Volunteer Day 2018 we wanted to show how truly global the @IFRC network is.
That meant one asset for each country.
That meant: TW thread, FB album, IGTV recap.
A new approach.
https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1070455110218727425
2019 was a special year. @IFRC turned 100 years old.
Of course we had a social media activation: the #100YearsChallenge.
@Valya_Shapiro, @Lsalwan, @ylf_ch and many other colleagues brought this idea to life.
Of course we had a social media activation: the #100YearsChallenge.
@Valya_Shapiro, @Lsalwan, @ylf_ch and many other colleagues brought this idea to life.
https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1088797828523143168
100 years of the @IFRC meant 100 years of sharing the love with our Red Cross Red Crescent network.
First wave of activation? February 14.
@Valya_Shapiro and @ylf_ch were quite effective!
With this call for action video, we got hundreds of contributions worldwide🫰🫶
First wave of activation? February 14.
@Valya_Shapiro and @ylf_ch were quite effective!
With this call for action video, we got hundreds of contributions worldwide🫰🫶
Everyday @IFRC is responding to different humanitarian crises.
In February 2019 the situation in Venezuela was very challenging.
People were misusing the Red Cross emblems. We had to act fast.
This timely tweet, to date, is one of the top 10 most RTed👇🏽
In February 2019 the situation in Venezuela was very challenging.
People were misusing the Red Cross emblems. We had to act fast.
This timely tweet, to date, is one of the top 10 most RTed👇🏽
https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1099374815394308102
March 2019 saw one of my top social media contributions to IFRC.
We got a consistent handle for all our platforms.
From @Federation to @IFRC on Twitter.
From @international_federation to @IFRC on Insta.
A game changer.
Donors, media, influencers were able to find us, tag us.
We got a consistent handle for all our platforms.
From @Federation to @IFRC on Twitter.
From @international_federation to @IFRC on Insta.
A game changer.
Donors, media, influencers were able to find us, tag us.
Mastering Twitter advanced search is a super power for finding valuable information, fast.
Thanks to @Valya_Shapiro, we launched a guide in March 2019.
Since then, it got several iterations and translations.
Thanks to @Valya_Shapiro, we launched a guide in March 2019.
Since then, it got several iterations and translations.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1101535200935378944
How to get almost one million views on Twitter?
Be fast. Add value. Offer a unique perspective.
That's exactly what @hagacaroline did while deployed for @IFRC.
She tweeted in March 2019, from a helicopter in Mozambique, while responding to Cyclone Idai.
Be fast. Add value. Offer a unique perspective.
That's exactly what @hagacaroline did while deployed for @IFRC.
She tweeted in March 2019, from a helicopter in Mozambique, while responding to Cyclone Idai.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1111766475478614018
8 May is Red.
For my first Red Cross Red Crescent Day with @IFRC I tweeted 194 times 🧵(one pic or video per country), with the help of @Lsalwan & @Valya_Shapiro.
A multilingual celebration. @Damiennaylor's video edit had the word "love" in 32 languages
For my first Red Cross Red Crescent Day with @IFRC I tweeted 194 times 🧵(one pic or video per country), with the help of @Lsalwan & @Valya_Shapiro.
A multilingual celebration. @Damiennaylor's video edit had the word "love" in 32 languages
https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1126289191195893766
During my time in IFRC I was quite lucky to combine my daily work with my passion to deliver social media trainings.
Thanks to those experiences, I managed to meet dozens of colleagues — I'm still in touch with @TineHollevoet, @jana174 and many others!
Thanks to those experiences, I managed to meet dozens of colleagues — I'm still in touch with @TineHollevoet, @jana174 and many others!
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1131267069364920320
At @IFRC we always kept learning from each other.
In June 2019 I was asked to organise a digital skillshare. 30 colleagues joined, from all regions.
Top speakers joined us: @Val_Voshchevska, @GisellaLomax, Chris Parker, Jaya Adapa.
Pretty cool event!
In June 2019 I was asked to organise a digital skillshare. 30 colleagues joined, from all regions.
Top speakers joined us: @Val_Voshchevska, @GisellaLomax, Chris Parker, Jaya Adapa.
Pretty cool event!
In June 2019 I spent a week in Vienna.
The @IAEAIEC colleagues invited experts @Stevensyves1, @HolsHardin and me to help improve their social media simulator, and prepare training materials for nuclear emergencies.
The @IAEAIEC colleagues invited experts @Stevensyves1, @HolsHardin and me to help improve their social media simulator, and prepare training materials for nuclear emergencies.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1143189142756573185
In June 2019 we launched our @IFRC TikTok account.
We thought we knew.. but really we didn't know what we were up to!
Here's a behind the scenes from our very first TikTok with @Valya_Shapiro, @Damiennaylor and @ylf_ch. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
We thought we knew.. but really we didn't know what we were up to!
Here's a behind the scenes from our very first TikTok with @Valya_Shapiro, @Damiennaylor and @ylf_ch. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
The @IFRC was the first global humanitarian organisation to partner with TikTok.
Summer of 2019. @melisfiganmese and I were working #ForClimate —our first TikTok global campaign—in 15 languages.
When it launched in September, the results were impressive.
Summer of 2019. @melisfiganmese and I were working #ForClimate —our first TikTok global campaign—in 15 languages.
When it launched in September, the results were impressive.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1336303808872407041
Also in September 2019, thanks to @IrinaRuano we managed to collaborate with the biggest and most influential design firm and social giant in Latin America: @Pictoline
https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1175772235002310656
Inspiration can be found anywhere.
But the @YouTube Social Impact Lab for non-profits event was in a league on its own.
@Damiennaylor and I were lucky to attend thanks to Jaya Adapa.
In that trip we also met with colleagues from @RedCross, FB, @UNICEF & @UN_Women.
But the @YouTube Social Impact Lab for non-profits event was in a league on its own.
@Damiennaylor and I were lucky to attend thanks to Jaya Adapa.
In that trip we also met with colleagues from @RedCross, FB, @UNICEF & @UN_Women.
I have a special love for Tbilisi 🇬🇪
During the 2019 @IFRC_Europe Skillshare for fundraising and communication, I had a chance to meet colleagues from all over the region.
I'm lucky to count many of them as my friends.
@RedCrossGeorgia was a top host!
During the 2019 @IFRC_Europe Skillshare for fundraising and communication, I had a chance to meet colleagues from all over the region.
I'm lucky to count many of them as my friends.
@RedCrossGeorgia was a top host!
https://twitter.com/IFRC_Europe/status/1184022024068517888
For International Volunteer 2019 we asked for one word.
We got plenty.
And @Damiennaylor’s video edit did some justice to them.
#ThanksVolunteers
We got plenty.
And @Damiennaylor’s video edit did some justice to them.
#ThanksVolunteers
1st January 2020 marked another important highlight for @IFRC: our new logo designed by @Valya_Shapiro.
It took some time for it to be rolled out everywhere.
But in social, we walked the talk.
It took some time for it to be rolled out everywhere.
But in social, we walked the talk.
In January 2020 we thought 2019 kept us quite busy.
So we kept doing TikToks regularly.
We didn't know that COVID-19 was just around the corner.
So we kept doing TikToks regularly.
We didn't know that COVID-19 was just around the corner.
As the coronavirus outbreak started to grab headlines, @IFRC was uniquely placed to communicate health messages on TikTok.
Few international institutions had a presence on the platform.
We created, and created, and created TikToks.
Few international institutions had a presence on the platform.
We created, and created, and created TikToks.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1220005154726039555
Our @IFRC team was always agile.
Focused on adding value for National Red Cross and Red Crescent teams.
Thanks to Slack and @Canva, we managed to quickly share coronavirus templates that were used in more than 35 languages as early as February 6 2020.
Focused on adding value for National Red Cross and Red Crescent teams.
Thanks to Slack and @Canva, we managed to quickly share coronavirus templates that were used in more than 35 languages as early as February 6 2020.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1225196077558718464
A trip to London in early 2020 resulted in @socialforgood.
After sharing the LSE stage with @Val_Voshchevska and @dimplevjk, we had a social media managers "group therapy".
That set up a peer-to-peer support network.
I want to re-launch it. Val, you in?
After sharing the LSE stage with @Val_Voshchevska and @dimplevjk, we had a social media managers "group therapy".
That set up a peer-to-peer support network.
I want to re-launch it. Val, you in?
https://twitter.com/Val_Voshchevska/status/1229008263569694721
Where were you when the world first heard about COVID-19?
I was at my desk at @IFRC.
We were lucky to have @ecapobianco as our health expert keen to share what was known at the time with our audience.
We hosted many live Q&As on LinkedIn & TikTok.
I was at my desk at @IFRC.
We were lucky to have @ecapobianco as our health expert keen to share what was known at the time with our audience.
We hosted many live Q&As on LinkedIn & TikTok.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1233491286902165506
TikToks had a spillover effect on Twitter.
A new format that grabbed people's attention.
This @IFRC tweet with a clear message and call for action was our most retweeted tweet of 2020.
"Fun" fact: I tweeted it at 1:29 a.m. during a sleepless night.
A new format that grabbed people's attention.
This @IFRC tweet with a clear message and call for action was our most retweeted tweet of 2020.
"Fun" fact: I tweeted it at 1:29 a.m. during a sleepless night.
https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1249117303435923456
Shareability was always key to our @IFRC social media strategy.
During the first months of the pandemic, people were coming to our channels for valuable, shareable information.
We delivered, our audience helped us sharing it widely on Facebook.
During the first months of the pandemic, people were coming to our channels for valuable, shareable information.
We delivered, our audience helped us sharing it widely on Facebook.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1247634101781368833
During the pandemic, partnerships were key to strengthen our @IFRC social media impact.
TikTok prominently featured our content when users were looking for COVID-19 related content.
That's how we managed to grow to more than 3 million followers.
TikTok prominently featured our content when users were looking for COVID-19 related content.
That's how we managed to grow to more than 3 million followers.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1247632646664065027
In May 2020, with the help of Petya Kamburova, @melisfiganmese and I launched the @IFRC channel on @Viber.
It became a great place for sharing updates with audiences in countries we have not reached consistently before.
Today, that community has more than 915k members!
It became a great place for sharing updates with audiences in countries we have not reached consistently before.
Today, that community has more than 915k members!
Solidarity was very much present during the early days of the pandemic.
@Greenfly offered to support our efforts.
Since then, their tech has been powering @IFRC campaigns.
Notably @roteskreuzat and @CruzRojaEsp also used it consistently.
@Greenfly offered to support our efforts.
Since then, their tech has been powering @IFRC campaigns.
Notably @roteskreuzat and @CruzRojaEsp also used it consistently.
When you have a global network -like @IFRC- use it!
For World Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2020 we wanted to innovate.
We launched a live session every hour -on top of the hour- for 24 hours, to #KeepClapping 👏
@IrinaRuano and I started at 00:00!
For World Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2020 we wanted to innovate.
We launched a live session every hour -on top of the hour- for 24 hours, to #KeepClapping 👏
@IrinaRuano and I started at 00:00!
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1258523311434162176
On Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2020 @IFRC:
-Tweeted 80 times & RT 130 messages
-Posted 32 times on FB, earning 8k organic shares in 2 days
-Gained 13k followers on Insta in 24 hours
-Posted 11 TikToks in a day
-Organized lives from 51 different countries!
-Tweeted 80 times & RT 130 messages
-Posted 32 times on FB, earning 8k organic shares in 2 days
-Gained 13k followers on Insta in 24 hours
-Posted 11 TikToks in a day
-Organized lives from 51 different countries!
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1258895802426105856
At our peak productive point for the @IFRC TikTok we created about 20 per week.
Through that effort, consistency & partnership, we got to two million followers in one year.
Time proved it was an unsustainable pace.
Through that effort, consistency & partnership, we got to two million followers in one year.
Time proved it was an unsustainable pace.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1269752843206103040
When the tragic Beirut explosion happened @RedCrossLebanon responded immediately.
In just a couple of days, @IFRC_MENA, @ranasidani & I helped organised a concert with musicians, to support the cause.
#WithLebanon took place on a Saturday in August 2020
In just a couple of days, @IFRC_MENA, @ranasidani & I helped organised a concert with musicians, to support the cause.
#WithLebanon took place on a Saturday in August 2020
https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1294661393191448582
At @IFRC we wanted to amplify globally what is being done locally.
In November 2020, the colleagues from @TwitterCreate interviewed me for their "Talking Twitter" Q&A series with social media managers.
As I shared with them, Twitter changed my life.
In November 2020, the colleagues from @TwitterCreate interviewed me for their "Talking Twitter" Q&A series with social media managers.
As I shared with them, Twitter changed my life.
https://twitter.com/TwitterCreate/status/1326231913556635648
Report or it didn't happen.
One of the critical aspects for our @IFRC social media work over the years were the reports that @Lsalwan prepared.
Thanks to her insights we had a chance to adjust, improve, or keep going!
Merci Léa
One of the critical aspects for our @IFRC social media work over the years were the reports that @Lsalwan prepared.
Thanks to her insights we had a chance to adjust, improve, or keep going!
Merci Léa
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1329727928838610944
To get some traction on TikTok it was essential to understand trends.
In October 2020, this sound was making the rounds.
It's one of my favorite TikToks because it got the music right, and showed the scope of the @IFRC network action🇨🇳🇨🇭🇮🇹🇲🇾🇨🇮🇪🇨🇷🇼🇱🇧🇻🇪🇹🇷
In October 2020, this sound was making the rounds.
It's one of my favorite TikToks because it got the music right, and showed the scope of the @IFRC network action🇨🇳🇨🇭🇮🇹🇲🇾🇨🇮🇪🇨🇷🇼🇱🇧🇻🇪🇹🇷
For International Volunteer Day 2020 we tried to set the bar even higher.
We went live for 24 hours non-stop on our @IFRC channels.
It was insane. Thanks @melisfiganmese & colleagues for keeping up.
Looking back, it was a bit TOO much😅
We went live for 24 hours non-stop on our @IFRC channels.
It was insane. Thanks @melisfiganmese & colleagues for keeping up.
Looking back, it was a bit TOO much😅
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1334137626362851330
To wrap up a really tough 2020, we assessed if a recap video was OK or not.
YouTube decided NOT to do a rewind. Did they know better than us at @IFRC?
We decided to go for it. @Damiennaylor did yet another of his masterpieces.
His video made us proud.
YouTube decided NOT to do a rewind. Did they know better than us at @IFRC?
We decided to go for it. @Damiennaylor did yet another of his masterpieces.
His video made us proud.
In 2021 I worked on building a stronger social media culture inside @IFRC.
The pitch to our staff? Learn something new in just 15 minutes.
Every week, all year long. Learning from each other.
A project inspired by @Lorey!
The pitch to our staff? Learn something new in just 15 minutes.
Every week, all year long. Learning from each other.
A project inspired by @Lorey!
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1357009317954793477
In early 2021, everyone was talking about social audio.
Clubhouse, then @TwitterSpaces.
We experimented with Clubhouse. It was fun while it lasted. @ecapobianco did live sessions on humanitarian breaking news.
When I left @IFRC I closed the account🚪
Clubhouse, then @TwitterSpaces.
We experimented with Clubhouse. It was fun while it lasted. @ecapobianco did live sessions on humanitarian breaking news.
When I left @IFRC I closed the account🚪
https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1358010793359507457
Our colleagues from @IFRC_MENA and @IFRC_es have used consistently Twitter audio (voice).
It's quite handy when you receive audio messages via WhatsApp from your experts.
In February 2021, our colleagues in Lebanon used it for the first time.
It's quite handy when you receive audio messages via WhatsApp from your experts.
In February 2021, our colleagues in Lebanon used it for the first time.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1360983967818776576
"How to shoot mobile video like a pro"
Another useful —and fun— video edit by @Damiennaylor.
The tips in there are still quite relevant.
Another useful —and fun— video edit by @Damiennaylor.
The tips in there are still quite relevant.
Ahead of Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2021, we organised a Twitter chat between @IFRC and @Nonprofits.
It was a great way to show our collaboration. And celebrate the branded hashmoji!
twitter.com/i/events/13902…
It was a great way to show our collaboration. And celebrate the branded hashmoji!
twitter.com/i/events/13902…
The unstoppable @Lsalwan came up with the #unstoppable theme for Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2021.
It was very well received by our National Societies: 160 of them joined the campaign!
A truly global one.
It was very well received by our National Societies: 160 of them joined the campaign!
A truly global one.
https://twitter.com/Dante_Licona/status/1391155595936473093
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