Non Profits and Social Network Marketing
Information
The purpose of this group is to share handy resources and ideas to Non-Profits seeking ways to achieve maximum results of social network marketing. Feel free to openly discuss any Non-Profit related topics that interest you.
Website: http://mbodymentagainstobesity.org
Location: Georgia
Members: 105
Latest Activity: Nov 10
12 Tips for Nonprofits On Getting Started With Social Media
Social Networking Is Investment in the Future
By Joanne Fritz, About.com
Sites such as MySpace and FaceBook could be a nonprofit's dream market - millions of users engaging in activities and all interconnected.
But just setting up shop and collecting "friends" will not necessarily result in donors and supporters. Sarah DiJulio and Marc Ruben co-authored a chapter in the book, People to People Fundraising: Social Networking and Web 2.0 for Charities,, Wiley, 2007. They provide information from a guide to the "lingo" of social sites, to an approach to planning your entry into social networking.
We have adapted DeJulio and Ruben's guide to getting started with social networking:
1. Pick the right social networks.
Don't just pick sites based on the size of the network. Other communities may be smaller but more effective for your organization. It may pay to start small, with one to three social networks, rather than trying to take the entire virtual world by storm all at once.
2. Find an 'expert' to help you.
Look around your organization or community for someone who has experience with social networking. It might be a young staffer, an intern, a volunteer. Get that person involved so you won't be starting from 'scratch.'
3. Extend your reach.
Select a social network and then use a 'scattershot' approach. That is, don't just set up a profile. Create a group as well and attract more supporters that way. On Facebook, for instance, you can be a group and/or an event. Just make sure you understand the rules of the site. For a fee, some social sites will allow you to become an official sponsor of a group or community. This might be worth experimenting with. Many large companies, such as Victoria's Secret and Apple, sponsor groups.
4. Prepare to lose control.
There is no way you can vet every word of every person who wants to be your friend or join your social networking group. If you or your lawyers are not comfortable with that fact, social networking probably is not for you. You can set up an approval process for 'comments' that people post but if you go this route, make sure the approval process is reasonable and fast.
5. Know who is already pretending to be you.
There may be MySpace or Facebook groups for your organization that you did not set up such as unofficial profiles created by enthusiastic supporters. If you find such a profile, reach out to that person. He or she may be a committed supporter who might be willing to promote your content.
6. Make a good first impression.
Try to 'wow' your 'friends' right off the bat. Make your profile look good. Control what your organization will look like on other people's friend lists--pick a great picture and title that will get noticed.
7. Post your edgiest, most viral content.
Social networks are at their best when people are passing content around and they will only pass yours around if it is creative. Come up with jazzy profile names, use video or Flash animation. If it does not make you think 'Cool!' then it is probably not viral and you need to go back to the drawing board. You might do better with a campaign or a specific gimmick rather than just a generic page plugging your nonprofit. Look around, see what others are doing.
8. Find out which of your supporters are already on social networks.
Survey your members and find out who has MySpace profiles, Facebook accounts, or belong to other social networks. Send them an e-mail inviting them to become your friend or to join your group.
9. Communicate with your social network friends on a regular basis.
Update your pages with new content. Use MySpace 'bulletins' and Facebook 'notes' on other users' profiles to get the word out on important issues and drive people to your page. Don't be 'static.' Be dynamic.
10. Devote staff time to making your social networking effort a success.
Assign a staff person to accept friend requests, post comments on other people's pages, and invite others to become friends. That is what social networking is all about.
11. Activate your social network supporters.
Eventually you will want to start turning your 'friends' into activists, donors, and volunteers. Make sure your social networking pages always feature lots of opportunities to get involved. Also include donation opportunities on your social networking pages. Even if you do not raise much in the short run, it helps to set expectations for the future.
Be specific when you do ask your friends to do something for your organization. And always let people know what happened at an event or with a campaign even if they did not participate. They might get involved the next time.
12. Think of social networking as an investment in the future.
The mostly young people you will dealing with are your donors and supporters of tomorrow. Get into the game now and learn how to use social media or you might be left behind for good.
By Joanne Fritz, About.com
Sites such as MySpace and FaceBook could be a nonprofit's dream market - millions of users engaging in activities and all interconnected.
But just setting up shop and collecting "friends" will not necessarily result in donors and supporters. Sarah DiJulio and Marc Ruben co-authored a chapter in the book, People to People Fundraising: Social Networking and Web 2.0 for Charities,, Wiley, 2007. They provide information from a guide to the "lingo" of social sites, to an approach to planning your entry into social networking.
We have adapted DeJulio and Ruben's guide to getting started with social networking:
1. Pick the right social networks.
Don't just pick sites based on the size of the network. Other communities may be smaller but more effective for your organization. It may pay to start small, with one to three social networks, rather than trying to take the entire virtual world by storm all at once.
2. Find an 'expert' to help you.
Look around your organization or community for someone who has experience with social networking. It might be a young staffer, an intern, a volunteer. Get that person involved so you won't be starting from 'scratch.'
3. Extend your reach.
Select a social network and then use a 'scattershot' approach. That is, don't just set up a profile. Create a group as well and attract more supporters that way. On Facebook, for instance, you can be a group and/or an event. Just make sure you understand the rules of the site. For a fee, some social sites will allow you to become an official sponsor of a group or community. This might be worth experimenting with. Many large companies, such as Victoria's Secret and Apple, sponsor groups.
4. Prepare to lose control.
There is no way you can vet every word of every person who wants to be your friend or join your social networking group. If you or your lawyers are not comfortable with that fact, social networking probably is not for you. You can set up an approval process for 'comments' that people post but if you go this route, make sure the approval process is reasonable and fast.
5. Know who is already pretending to be you.
There may be MySpace or Facebook groups for your organization that you did not set up such as unofficial profiles created by enthusiastic supporters. If you find such a profile, reach out to that person. He or she may be a committed supporter who might be willing to promote your content.
6. Make a good first impression.
Try to 'wow' your 'friends' right off the bat. Make your profile look good. Control what your organization will look like on other people's friend lists--pick a great picture and title that will get noticed.
7. Post your edgiest, most viral content.
Social networks are at their best when people are passing content around and they will only pass yours around if it is creative. Come up with jazzy profile names, use video or Flash animation. If it does not make you think 'Cool!' then it is probably not viral and you need to go back to the drawing board. You might do better with a campaign or a specific gimmick rather than just a generic page plugging your nonprofit. Look around, see what others are doing.
8. Find out which of your supporters are already on social networks.
Survey your members and find out who has MySpace profiles, Facebook accounts, or belong to other social networks. Send them an e-mail inviting them to become your friend or to join your group.
9. Communicate with your social network friends on a regular basis.
Update your pages with new content. Use MySpace 'bulletins' and Facebook 'notes' on other users' profiles to get the word out on important issues and drive people to your page. Don't be 'static.' Be dynamic.
10. Devote staff time to making your social networking effort a success.
Assign a staff person to accept friend requests, post comments on other people's pages, and invite others to become friends. That is what social networking is all about.
11. Activate your social network supporters.
Eventually you will want to start turning your 'friends' into activists, donors, and volunteers. Make sure your social networking pages always feature lots of opportunities to get involved. Also include donation opportunities on your social networking pages. Even if you do not raise much in the short run, it helps to set expectations for the future.
Be specific when you do ask your friends to do something for your organization. And always let people know what happened at an event or with a campaign even if they did not participate. They might get involved the next time.
12. Think of social networking as an investment in the future.
The mostly young people you will dealing with are your donors and supporters of tomorrow. Get into the game now and learn how to use social media or you might be left behind for good.
Discussion Forum
Does your Non Profit or Charity Need Help with Fundraising
Started by Tracey Bryant Sep 1.
Work Smarter...Bareter!
Started by Hillis Pugh Apr 30.
Searching with Social Media
Started by Jay Philips Mar 8.
Comment Wall
Add a Comment
-
Comment by Judy Vorfeld on November 1, 2008 at 9:54am -
I volunteer as webmaster for 4 Paws for Ability and the Arizona BPW Foundation. I am a paid webmaster for Reliable Enterprises and Pope's Kids Place. And I am on the board of Arizona Center for Disability Law.
Most, but not all of my volunteer work is dedicated to supporting the needs of people with disabilities.
I also edit websites and documents as part of my business, mainly focusing on the needs of the small business community.
Learning more about fundraising and keeping exposure of nonprofits is high on my list. I like connecting people to people.
-
Comment by Ljiljana on October 31, 2008 at 8:02pm - Thanks for invitation... i m so glad to be a part of Your Group, but I dont know much about non profit and rights, maybe i need some halp about that, thanks again,and Happy Halloween, lila
-
Comment by Maureen Guest on October 31, 2008 at 6:52pm - Thanks Vivian!
-
Comment by Vivian Lehman on October 31, 2008 at 6:00pm -
Maureen,
Thank you for the invite. I am not involved with a non profit right now but am willing to possibly help out in some if I can.
Viviana
-
Comment by Brother Roderick on October 31, 2008 at 9:56am -
Hello Group,
And thank you Maureen for the invitation. I am in a major project right now, but I have 3 major reasons for joining THIS group.
Please read this comment, then go see - http://HeaderAdWorks.com
My company publishes Self Help Opportunities Monthly Magazine and The NEXTUSFlash a new Weekly e-Flyer. Self Help Opportunities has been a local offline print publication for 2 1/2 years and now is coming out Digital in Novemeber.
Our main website is SelfHelpMoney.com, but right now our most important website is http://HeaderAdWorks.com
I'm asking everyone who will to sign up before the end of the Beta Test for $100 and get your three ads out to 6 million Opp. seekers and busines owners. The first 100 get the Specials explained on the site. This special $100 rate ends midnight Nov 3rd and we Launch on Election Day when the ad rate goes to $147 (still $50 Off) You would have your own web page to promote you business offer or you cause. Plus everyone in the program is also promoting your offers (explained at Headeradworks.com site)
Self Help Money needs your help for our bigger goals. We are using the Header AdWorks project to raise funds to build up our three projects for a better world:
1) Our $47 Solution: 4 Programs for Economic Relief;
2) Our Mission to Help Keep Kids Off the Streets by empowering our youth and training them to become entrepreneurs by "Turning their Passion into a Payday!"
3) Our work with Stratigic Homes Alliance to help people in disaster areas by rebuilding housing communities GREEN.
Help yourself by Helping Others: In HeaderAdWorks you get PAID DAILY...INSTANTLY IN $100 BILLS. You as an Advertiser get new business, leads, contacts and clients or just get to spread a message. We get funding for our Projects and we all win
PLEASE: Go see http://HeaderAdWorks.com
Thank you in advance for caring,
Roderick
-
Comment by edward on October 30, 2008 at 10:04am -
HELLO FRIEND.......
STREET COPS ADVICE IS A FREE ORGANIZATION THAT IS DESIGNED TO HELP ANYONE WITH A LEGAL QUESTION. WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU INFORM ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF OUR FREE WEB SITE. http://www.streetcopsadvice.com
WE ARE HERE TO GIVE YOU ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED STREET OFFICERS ON ANY SITUATION TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY. WE ARE NOT LAWYERS, SO WE UNDERSTAND YOU.
NO MEMBERSHIP OR LOG IN REQUIRED. YOU EMAIL US YOUR QUESTION AND WE EMAIL YOU BACK.
Our Mission
Is to help the needy. Remember we are not lawyers, just real everyday cops who want everyone to be treated fair. Some cops do not play by the book. If you have a problem, tell us and we will do our best to help you. Everyone has rights. Know Your Rights.
SO GO TO OUR WEB SITE AT http://www.streetcopsadvice.com/.
WE ALSO OFFER
FREE ADS SPACE,
LINKS TO SEX OFFENDER NEAR YOU,
MISSING CHILDREN REPORTS
We do not charge, but we accept any donation of choice. To donate, just log onto our page and use the donate button at the bottom.
Street Cops Advice is dedicated to providing free content and services. We rely on the generosity of our users to pay our hosting and business expenses. Here's the best part: We give free ad space to thank our donors.
-
Comment by edward on October 29, 2008 at 11:52pm
- my organization is http://www. streetcopsadvice.com. we give free advice on legals. no tricks. you email your question, we email you.
-
Comment by Jim Hickey on October 28, 2008 at 9:23pm -
Hi Maureen,
I am here to offer whatever support I can.
Best always,
Jim
-
Comment by Maureen Guest on October 28, 2008 at 3:32pm
- Thanks Jeff. I will check it out.
-
Comment by jeff estes on October 28, 2008 at 12:25pm - Hi Maureen thanks for the invite. My com help's non-profit www.thefreedomteam.net pass word freedom.
Let's Get Growing
Diamond Member Posts
© 2009 StartUp | Report Spam and Scams |
You need to be a member of Non Profits and Social Network Marketing to add comments!