The Census Bureau Should Stick to YouTube
The response to the Census Bureau’s YouTube clips has been mixed. Some videos attracted a lot of hits; others were basically ignored.
However, everything the Census Bureau put up on YouTube has been a wild success when compared with the embarrassing event in Jefferson City yesterday. I say “embarrassing” not because I’m scandalized that there were belly dancers there, but because almost no one showed up to watch them. My Two Census picked up the story as an example of ineffective Census promotion.
I actually feel bad for the belly dancers, who had to perform with little clothing on when the temperature was in the low 50s. The poor turnout couldn’t have helped their self-esteem much, either.
I have a better idea for promoting the Census: Promise that if enough people mail back their forms, the Census Bureau will post a clip on YouTube of its director belly dancing.
I have a tangential comment/question. Why doesn’t the Census deliver its forms electronically, instead of through snail mail? It would be easier for people like me who spend the majority of their waking hours online. I understand that the argument against electronic filing is that some populations (e.g., senior citizens, minorities) would have a lower response rate. However, Census seems to be relying on the Internet and new technologies to increase the response rate.
The You-tube marketing campaign, as you discuss in your post, is an example. As further evidence of this, I recently heard a story on NPR that said that some organizations are using iPhone apps to increase the response rate of minorities specifically. This statistic surprised me:
Comment by Christine Harbin — March 16, 2010 @ 3:27 p.m.
Great question, Christine. The Census Bureau says that it isn’t sure the data would be secure, but it’s looking into it:
http://blogs.census.gov/2010census/2009/12/2010-census-and-the-internet.html
It would certainly be more convenient if you could submit the form online.
Comment by Sarah Brodsky — March 16, 2010 @ 3:40 p.m.
Belly dancers! How did someone end up reasoning that belly dancers would be a great way to promote the Census? As a former belly dance student (college), I never once thought, or was told, that belly dancing was a great way to promote government programs.
Re: Electronic Census filing. I have been wondering that for some time. And, the Census already has the perfect process in place for allowing electronic filing AND getting responses from people who do not have computers. 1. Send out paper notices to all households asking them to file online (Census sent out notification letters earlier). 2. Note that if they don’t file in 2 weeks, they will be sent a hard copy survey that they can mail in.
Interestingly, when I was talking with a friend about how this would save tons of data entry time, he said that OF COURSE we would fill out scantrons, so that a computer would do the data entry. I am looking at my Census form right now. Not a scantron. Someone will need to enter this data into a database. I suggest outsourcing.
Comment by Audrey — March 16, 2010 @ 7:46 p.m.
Outsourcing? Seriously? Shouldn’t those mindless data entry jobs go to hard-working Americans? And shouldn’t we compensate them with a “living wage” and healthcare benefits? And, as Americans, shouldn’t we be happy to offset this cost with higher taxes?
Comment by Christine Harbin — March 16, 2010 @ 8:59 p.m.
Unfortunately, the sarcasm will be lost on all the protectionists who would be inclined to say exactly the same thing — but with a straight face.
Comment by Eric D. Dixon — March 16, 2010 @ 9:14 p.m.
I know a few outsourcers who’d be happy to do the job for ~ $4/hour, if the U.S. government needs some help trying this new approach.
Comment by Audrey — March 17, 2010 @ 9:10 a.m.