Here lies a huge opportunity for her to show another side of herself through the accessibility of social media. By showing interest, engaging in conversation and sharing her own opinion, vision and ambition. And asking for feedback on this and showing what she is occupied with on a daily basis. This gives her the opportunity to change the image of herself.
Both Femke Halsema and any other mayor who is not yet on social media can take an example from the mayors who are active here.
Mayor Marja van Bijsterveld, Municipality of Delft
Take for example mayor Marja van Bijsterveld of the Municipality of Delft, she has 3,800 followers on her Facebook page and 21,400 followers on Twitter. According to Stephanie van Dijk , belgium telegram data online communications advisor at the municipality, her formula for success is that she does everything herself. And everything she does suits her as a person. She comes up with actions herself and posts everything on her account herself. Every week they go through which activities and events are suitable for updates, but otherwise she does it herself.
And if you go through her Facebook account, you will see sincere and personal updates of where she is and she shares her proud activities from her municipality and about her residents. She does this with text, photos and she also does not shy away from a video or a vlog. She gives everyone a glimpse into her life as mayor and she gives residents the opportunity to respond.
Marja van Bijsterveldt
Mayor Christine van Basten-Boddin, Municipality of Beek
Mayor Christine van Basten-Boddin is also active on social media to strengthen the bond with her residents. She considers social media a natural way to communicate with her residents and her residents experience this in the same way. Her dialect and how she uses it on social media is particularly appreciated by her residents. The video she recorded on her first day in her new home in the municipality is still being talked about. She was sitting in her bathrobe and invited all the residents to a drink in the theatre.