One of the primary reasons I haven’t committed is available time, or timing of the ask.  Another reason I’ve said no is because my spidey sense suggested that the candidate wasn’t as genuine as I expect, and didn’t follow through with anything they said they’d do. Further, when push came to shove, one or more weren’t truly about change despite the sound bites.  I don’t want to paint a picture that every politician is disingenuous, or likely to mislead about their intentions for change.  That’s certainly not the case, I’m only highlighting the main red flags for me personally that drove my reservations to commit my personal reputation to a candidate.

What is spurring on this post today is no other reason than I happened to see this tweet by Doug Horner, one of the PC leadership hopefuls (shown below, not picking on you Doug, it could have been any candidate doing the same thing, they all have).

This tweet inspired me to quickly review the social activity of many of the politicians/candidates in this province.  My personal opinion is that overall that activity could use some help sprinkled with a little rant here or there.

8 points for politicians on why this isn’t about “ME” it’s about “THEM”:

I’m adopting this image by David Armano to make a point about the impression most politicians are making online in my opinion.  Most state they’re about “grass roots, about change, and doing politics differently.”  However, if we consider the amount of content creation by the “grass roots” about a particular candidate or party the list gets really short, really quickly.  The list of Trolls supporting one party or another, and engaging in attacks is larger than ever.  The smart thing is NOT to engage them, they’re children stomping their feet and looking for attention.  Mature voters see them for what they are.

1.) Be genuine – Most people don’t actually care about all the locations you’ve visited in the past with the exception of your competitors.  If you really want to communicate location, use a geo-location app like foursquare to check into a location, send that to Twitter and Facebook, and leave it at that.  Hint – become the foursquare mayor of these locations around Alberta, and I’ll really be impressed with your outreach efforts.

2.) Engage on the issues – granted twitter is not optimum for this, and a blog is more suitable.  Write 250 word replies to individual Albertans and their key issues from your heart, and then reply on twitter to that citizen.  Don’t like writing?  There’s always short burst videos comprising a video blog (vlog), you can say that same 250 words in 2 minutes, and YouTube is perfect for that because it’s shareable.   This takes time so be focused with your responses to the issues.  Don’t have the time?  BS.  This isn’t a priority because you don’t understand what to do, and how to deploy the multiple technologies for effect.  Frankly, most don’t believe social media will help sway opinions enough to cast a vote.  This little tidbit is good for those who disagree with that statement.  Social media when used correctly builds rapport, it’s not the silver bullet it’s a main component that should be baked in to all campaign activities.  Voters take that into consideration.  Parties who understand behavioural patterns online can really make a lot of headway.  Others…,the dinosaurs, well they’ll tweet to seem envogue, and be doing it blindly, broadcast all about “me” tweets to no real tactical advantage.  Sure, promote things that you’re doing, but also be prepared to engage in debate on policy and solutions and it’s better when citizens promote what you’re doing.

If you’re about “grass roots and change” for real…Set aside an hour a week for a public online debate.  Cover It Live is one example that could be installed on your website, or you can simply be on twitter during a designated hour using your hashtag to answer any questions thrown at you.  Schedule so that people know when they can engage with you.

3.) Use video for citizen responses, questions and engagement.  Mr. Horner, the travelling is impressive, I would have been even more impressed had you provided video footage from each of those stops with people stating why they’ll vote for you.   However, I’d be over the top if any candidate generated a bunch of content by citizens pledging their support voluntarily.  If politicians truly inspire, then the evidence will be there. Granted not all would get in front of a camera but some will.  In today’s digital landscape where the digital divide is still very real, learn to solve these problems, rural folks have a camera phone for a picture or an impromptu video, share life as it happens with Qik.

Coincidently, the most watched live Alberta Live! episode was when I interviewed Danielle Smith, Doug Griffiths is second, Dr. Raj Sherman, and newly elected Alberta Party leader Glenn Taylor are on fusedlogicTV too.  Here’s a hint, albeit a self-serving one.  fusedlogicTV is your very own Web TV Network for hire and Alberta is our strongest province for viewership for obvious reasons.  See any of your competitors airing a regular (unedited) TV show that works live and on-demand?  People are still watching those episodes, the campaigns and parties can promote these episodes at no cost.

4.) Teach citizens and volunteers to share – if campaigns taught citizens how, where to tweet, how to post a twitpic, where to post a picture on Facebook fanpage, a video response to Youtube, a comment on a blog…well you get the picture.  Of course, most campaigns don’t contain this knowledge or focus on it because many don’t believe these technologies will actually have any impact on the vote outcomes.  I have to say based on usage to date, I completely agree.  I’m incredibly uninspired.

5.) Engagement beyond evangelists – true penetration online is demonstrated in the analytics when more than your 4 campaign supporters get online and “create” content about you and what you stand for.  Time is precious, politics is hotly contested and heated debates ensue online so if people blog about you on their own, you’re reaching them.

6.) Lead don’t follow – Quite often, and some parties have more than others, the Trolls come out to play.  Now I could call these appleheads out here but giving these arrogant, self-indulgent, political know it all experts more ink is out of the question.  Anyone following the various political hashtags knows precisely who these boneheads are.  The funny thing is, some of these people actually believe they have credibility when they blog or tweet while they hide behind “just because we have a differing opinion doesn’t make us trolls” mantra.  Yes, actually in my mind it does.  Here’s why.  Leaders don’t build on a foundation of bullshit sniping.  Leaders lead by providing a positive message, solutions and action, by pointing out the positive for citizens not by tearing others down.  Leaders hoist others on their shoulders and carry until exhausted.  If you’re so “right” then lead and prove it rather than being a follower of a negative mob.  If your blog post simply tears others political views down for your self- gratification, then do us all a favour and at least have the guts to call yourself what you are, a political narcissist.   You know another reason why I didn’t run, I didn’t believe I was good enough to take on the important challenges that the citizens would need me to do.  My mind is one of business, and in my heart I can’t stand a system that often has to rip others up to get a job done.  The political system is broken and many supporters of various parties out there are ridiculous and it makes their parties look even more ridiculous.  If these folks ever take a step back to reflect, one out of 10 will be ashamed of their actions.  The others will defend their positions.  Why do you think there are so few “real leaders?”

7.) Data, data, data – it’s all in the data.  Well ok, not all but most of it.  Most campaigns won’t have the resources but Google Alerts are simple email notifications and Google Analytics on your website, Tweetreach for Twitter reach is a real basic start.

8.) Tell your story and that of Albertans – Get beyond the “vote for me for a better future” BS.  What does that mean in real terms for me and my family?  Tell that story, and if you’re a leader you’ll have stories about how you’ve already done this.  This will be about the Albertans and the lives you’ve changed.  Storify combined with Twitter is a great way to do this.  If you search, Edmonton Journal and Storify you can see how they have been using it, most recently to cover the U2 comments by Edmonton residents and others who experienced the concert and used the concert hashtag #u2360edm.

Ultimately, politicians in Alberta don’t capture the stories that affect us all, that we can relate to.  They’re even worse at sharing these stories beyond the podium or stage, and finally, as is evident in the one tweet by Doug Horner listed above but similar examples exist in all political twitter streams, true engagement is next to non-existent.  The expectations of your constituents has changed, it’s not about you, it’s about them, their needs and how you’ll lead this province “with” them, not behind closed doors but out in the open.

Do you have the “most digitally engaged” candidate? Let us know here, share the links to show off the digital footprint and we’ll invite you on to Alberta LIVE!

Leaders are not afraid to lead!

As a result of reading this blog post today, the following tweets by Strathcona County Councillor Roxanne Carr speak for themselves.

Councillor Carr follows up…

CouncillorCarr Roxanne Carr

@TricommStrategy @fusedlogic I am at #fcmhfx conference +would love to connect with residents back home #shpk#strathcoHow is Monday 3pm?

CouncillorCarr Roxanne Carr

Any other polis interested in a poli tweet on line with residents? #strathco #shpk Monday 3 pm?

1 hour ago

CouncillorCarr Roxanne Carr

@fusedlogic Thanks will put it in my blog – would like it open to all interests + topics #shpk #strathco

51 minutes ago

CouncillorCarr Roxanne Carr

@TricommStrategy @fusedlogic like I said any topic: budget, pot holes, Council priorities, even cats….lol …ps cats don’t herd well!!!

24 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Tonight was the first ever ChangeCamp Edmonton meeting where some like minded citizens came together to discuss government and citizen engagement under the umbrella of ChangeCamp.ca (Edmonton wiki is here and the Google Group is here.)

The group included the following folks on Twitter: @Imparo, @ChrisLaBossiere, @JillLaBossiere, @jdarrah, @davecournoyer, @mastermaq, @paulney, @eadnams, @dibegin and myself @fusedlogic

The Steering Committee adopted as a starting point – this question.

“How can we re-imagine government and citizenship in the age of participation?”

What was clear from tonight’s discussion in my mind is that there are definitely people out there who think that the gap between government and the average citizen is wide and consists of too many barriers for real substantive change, meaningful discussion and innovation.

There are pictures and more info to check out @mastermaq’s post on tonight’s meeting as well.

By the way, tomorrow I’m presenting at IDEAfest – 10:05am Room B, Tory Basement 95, University of Alberta Campus and will be giving away cash during my presentation entitled “How YOU can use social media to change the world.” This will be a live “social” experiment that I invite you to be a part of…

See you there,

Walter

You have to wonder if governments are paying attention to what’s happening in social media these days, and if they are, how seriously do they take it? Today, participating in social media is like sitting in the proverbial coffee shop. This is grassroots politics at its best.

“If you’re within the federal government or any provincial government without a social media plan and, despite that, are actively engaged in social media at the moment, you’re playing with fire in a room full of gun powder,” said Walter Schwabe, fusedlogic’s chief evolution officer.

That’s usually the way it is when you don’t have a plan. It’s one thing to be listening to the conversation, but it’s another thing to know how to engage with people in social media, especially if you’re in government.

It’s a good way to listen to what people are saying. Governments of all stripes have been accused of not listening to the public and they’ve got a great opportunity to do just that in social media.

What’s happening in the blogosphere?

It’s been interesting to hear all the differing perspectives on what’s happening with the Canadian political situation. NowPublic, the Vancouver-based citizen journalism site, had an interesting article with comment on the “black swan effect.” Hadn’t heard about that before

At the right leaning Small Dead Animals blog there’s been plenty of vitriol on both sides of the issue. If you’re interested in getting in a political debate/argument, then this is probably a good place to do it. There are a huge number of comments on the Stephane Dion video.

This popular Liberal blog, from Calgary as it happens, also has a great deal of debate about what’s been happening. Calgary’s not normally thought of as a location of any Liberals, or Alberta for that matter.

Canadian Parliament prorogued

The conversation has been pretty busy on Twitter too. If you do a search on Twitter for phrases like Dion, Harper, coalition or prorogue, you’ll find a lot of Tweets. It’s like political Nirvana right now. The fall has been great: Canadian election, U.S. election and now the Canadian crisis. What’s next?

The banter about Canadian politics is likely to slow down by the time the budget is read in Parliament in late January, but it ought to pick right up again. I’ll be curious to watch how the conversations change up to that time.

And who says Canadian politics is boring?

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