If you’ve been paying attention to updates from the City of Prince George on social media, you may have noticed a bit more personality poured into each post.
Julie Rogers is a new addition to the City of Prince George, she started working as the Communications Manager back in October 2021.
“I had that conversation with our senior leadership and council and had their support on managing municipal communications the way I prefer to manage it, which is a little bit more informal. Social media should be social.”
“We don’t need to begin every sentence with please be advised. When we start that way then it’s the voice of government, and we’re not, we’re your neighbours!”
Rogers said city staff members live in Prince George, and they’re trying to do the best that they can for their community.
She noted that it’s not just her behind the posts, there’s a group of four people in the communications division.
“They’ve been set free to communicate in a more social way.”
Rogers said she spent most of her career working in local government.
She added that she believes communications is one of the most important things, because it shows what residents are getting.
“Your local government touches your life every, single, day. We do your water, your roads, your sewer, your sidewalk, your parks, and your playgrounds, and your trails. We are touching the lives of our citizens every single day and we need to spend more time telling them about what they’re getting.”
She noted the importance of building an audience, and said that more important posts that you can’t joke about will reach more people if you take the time to speak with everyone in plain language.
“And that’s part of the point, is to develop a culture of listening. So, the more that we can be engaging and invite comments, the more we’re able to listen to what our citizens are saying.”
Rogers said that they’re trying to make people feel welcome to ask questions.
She noted that social media can be a very toxic place, but they’ve made an effort to keep it social and keep it light, and have posted rules in their about page.
“We are really, really pleased with the response that we have been getting, that everyone is so positive and kind, and they’re having good conversations amongst themselves.”