#Japan #Seiichi Sakakibara #EMOLVA #Chūō City #SNS Seminar

Strengthening Community Involvement with Social Media

In a bid to address serious challenges such as aging populations and diminishing interest in local activities among younger generations, Chuo City recently hosted an SNS seminar. Led by Seiichi Sakakibara, the head of EMOLVA, the session aimed to equip residents and community leaders with the latest social media trends and practical strategies for effective communication.

The Importance of Information Dissemination in Local Communities

Community associations often find it challenging to effectively relay information to younger residents through traditional methods like bulletin boards or paper flyers. This disconnect can lead to stagnation in community activities. Therefore, the implementation of social media platforms is emerging as a vital tool. Social media facilitates real-time and visually engaging communication, enabling communities to showcase their activities and initiatives effectively, while also increasing participation among local residents.

Benefits of Using Social Media

Utilizing social media not only enhances visibility for local initiatives but also fosters partnerships with local businesses, broaden recognition, and promotional opportunities. Sakakibara highlighted how social media allows communities to visualize “who is doing what and why,” facilitating understanding and empathy towards community activities. This visibility can attract younger individuals to participate more actively, streamline management processes, and assist in recruiting new members.

How Social Media Increases Trust and Appeal

Improving the public’s perception of community associations through transparent communication cultivates greater trust and interest in local affairs. As we move towards an era where digital communication will be the norm alongside traditional bulletin boards, continual information sharing is considered the first step toward shaping the future of communities.

Overview of the Seminar

The seminar, hosted by the Kyobashi District Community Association, focused on utilizing social media to invigorate community operations effectively. It was divided into two parts:

Part One: Introduction

Speakers: Yasui, Naoya Matsushima, Kaori Muramatsu

• - Basics of social media and latest trends
• - Features and practical uses of main platforms (including LINE, YouTube, and Instagram)
• - Risks associated with information dissemination and points for safe operations
• - Case studies on goal-specific social media utilization (attraction of participants, recruitment, disaster preparedness, etc.)
• - Combinations of digital and analog communication methods
• - Using LINE for convenient information sharing among members
• - Individual consultation and practical advice

Part Two: Advanced Strategies

Speaker: Seiichi Sakakibara

• - Latest trends and practical use of social media platforms
• - Practical structure for effective social media management that can be used immediately
• - Cross-platform strategies for effective engagements
• - Case studies showcasing successful strategies from Shibuya Youth Council's X account
• - Strategies for gaining followers and optimizing post content
• - Designing processes from posts to fan conversion

Sakakibara's extensive background in SNS marketing, featuring a strong track record of helping over 500 companies, made him a credible source of knowledge in the seminar. He is an influencer himself with over 500,000 followers and has significantly contributed to recruiting over 12,000 applicants through effective SNS strategies. His firm, EMOLVA, specializes in comprehensive SNS marketing and has partnered with a vast range of clients from local governments to major corporations.

Community Insights

The Chuo district is aiming to increase its attractiveness and reliability as a community through enhanced visibility and involvement in social media. The expectation is that disseminating ongoing information about community initiatives will not only empower existing members but will also entice new residents to engage with their local community. The future is firmly rooted in digital communication, and embracing this evolution will be crucial in keeping local communities vibrant and accessible.