SouthWired

Arc 3 Founder Patrick Burns recently received the honor of presenting on #SocialGov at this year’s SouthWiRED conference in Atlanta. Formerly Digital Atlanta, SouthWiRED is one of the Southeast’s largest and longest running digital conferences. Patrick presented on opening day of the conference which included the brightest stars from the digital community sharing their knowledge for the Social Media Track.

Patrick’s presentation “Social Gov: How Local Governments Can Engage Citizens Through Social Media” gave local government PIOs, non-profit and agency marketers examples of the social media platforms most helpful in reaching constituents and provided unique strategies and tactics in using these channels for civic engagement. During his presentation, Patrick provided helpful tips on how Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Foursquare, Instagram, Yelp and NextDoor can be utilized by local governments to inform, educate and engage citizens. Patrick also shared with session attendees data on why these social media platforms were important for promoting the involvement of milliennials in civic life.

Session attendees were most interested in utilizing new tools, techniques and tactics such as the employment of Instameets to promote community landmarks, historic buildings and parks and Twitter’s alerts service for local government agencies to inform constituents in an emergency. There was also discussion of the recent availability of the NextDoor platform to local government agencies nationwide for neighborhood specific public safety and emergency alerts.

The energy from the sessions of the SouthWiRED Social Media Track was so enthusiastic that #SouthWiRED14 was able to be the #9 trending topic on Twitter that day. Other rising social media stars from notable companies such as Cox Communications, AirWatch, IHG, Home Depot, and ScoutMob also presented sessions as a part of the social media track.

Are you a local government PIO or elected official and want to learn how social media can promote civic engagement in your community? Please contact Patrick Burns at pburns@rare-light.flywheelsites.com for customized social media training for your local government.

Happy Thanksgiving from Arc 3 Communications! As we celebrate the 3rd anniversary of our agency, it is good to reflect upon those things that I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful for our clients in the civic space that have entrusted us over the years to help with their content, digital marketing and social media needs. We have worked with clients ranging from government agencies to trade associations to political campaigns at the local, state and national levels. We have developed digital marketing and social media campaigns, new websites, content marketing plans and all types of amazing content to help them accomplish their legislative, policy, electoral and civic engagement goals.

2. I am thankful for the talented team of creatives, digital marketing, social media, technical and public affairs experts at Arc 3. I am also thankful for our interns that have breathed life into our agency with new ideas and enthusiasm for our mission.

3. I am thankful to our vendors who have become trusted partners in helping us to carry out our mission. These knowledgeable experts in accounting, the law, banking and technology are indispensable.

4. I am thankful to the awesome team at Strongbox West who provide us with an affordable, fun and innovative office space to work in that is filled with other startups in the creative, digital and technology space. The shared learning from other entrepreneurs has been immeasurable.

5. I am thankful to the many innovators in digital, social media and technology that have transformed marketing from a traditional marketing model to a world driven by content. This includes not only the creators of the well-known platforms such as WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tumblr; but the countless other innovators who developed lesser known digital and social media platforms that have helped to create a competitive marketplace that produces amazing channels for communication and sharing.

6. I am thankful to our agency competitors for new business in the content, digital marketing and civic space who by their efforts in the marketplace, push us to do better, innovate and strive to be our best.

7. I am thankful for the digital, social media, creative and start-up community of Atlanta in which we are constantly learning new things through shared knowledge and crowd sourced learning. I am most grateful to the Social Media Club of Atlanta, SouthWired (former Digital Atlanta) and the many Meetups around the city that are ongoing.

8. As Founder of an agency focused on the civic space, I am thankful for the many long-standing institutions in government, politics and civic life and the people and ideas that sustain them. The great civitas of our country depends upon engaged citizens, media, candidates, elected officials, trade association and non-profit executives and public servants in government at all levels.

9. I am thankful for the countless numbers of friends and former colleagues throughout my career in government and politics, academia and the agency world who have offered encouragement and referred business our way.

10. I am most thankful to my family for their constant love and support through my entrepreneurial journey. My family has shared this experience with me every step of the way. It is hard to express my gratitude and thanks to my four children and most especially my wife Mary. My wife’s selflessness, determination and love for me has been the rock upon which my success has been built.

Finally, I am most thankful to God to whom all thanks must be given. Without his love and my faith in him, my entrepreneurial journey would have never gotten off the ground 3 years ago.

What are you most thankful for this year? Please share with us!

Patrick L. Burns, Founder and President of Arc 3 Communications

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