Summer at IFPRI
One of the most important things I learned about having a successful blog is to remain consistent with your updates. So why didn’t I listen to that advice? What happened? Unfortunately, it seems that finals, a service trip to New Orleans, a beach vacation and work got in the way of keeping up a blogging schedule.
Now my summer has calmed down a bit and I can jump right back into my adventure with blogging.
I started as social media intern for the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) about three weeks ago. IFPRI is a non-profit organization supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). IFPRI seeks, “to provide policy solutions that reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition.”
So far I have researched how IFPRI and other development organizations, like The World Bank, are using social media. Studying the best practices for social media, I have learned how IFPRI can improve their strategy over time to lead to more successful use. IFPRI currently has a blog, a Facebook Fan page, a group on LinkedIn, and a YouTube channel. Like many companies, people and organizations, IFPRI jumped into social media without formulating a concrete strategy. My goal for the summer is to map out how IFPRI can use their applications more effectively and efficiently.
I will post what I have learned and may even have some of the IFPRI communications staff guest blog and share their opinions on IFPRI and the transition to the wonderful world of Web 2.0!
