Ten Social Web New Year's Resolutions for Nonprofits
Using the
Social Web, also referred to as
Web 2.0, is a great way for your nonprofit to reach donors and spread your message.
Social sites are built to encourage sharing, and few things are more effective and inexpensive than viral marketing. While maintaining your own Web site will always be a priority, there
are other ways to spread your organization's story via the Internet.
Here are ten social web resolutions that can give your nonprofit an edge in 2007:
- Create a page at MySpace.com
Your donors are getting younger, or at least they are acting younger...so should you. Reach out to them via MySpace.com this year. Setup a page for your organization, gather friends, post bulletins, and point people back to your online donation page.
- Go in-world with Second Life
Get an account started at Second Life, and take your nonprofit into the virtual world. This is cutting edge internet marketing, so getting started now may get you closer to tech-savvy donors who are looking for something different. Have a meet-up in Second Life to discuss your annual campaign or just chat about issues. If you do it right, Reuters might show up and cover the event in the real world.
- Share videos at YouTube.com
Engage your donors with real life moving pictures! YouTube.com has put the whole world in the director's chair, and that includes you. Get your promo videos out there, start a video blog, and begin to integrate new videos into your campaigns. People like people, and your donors will appreciate seeing you.
- Share your photos at Flickr.com
A picture is worth a thousand words, so even a few can help show your mission to the world. Setup an account at Flickr.com and start tagging! Add desktop wallpaper and posters that your supporters can download.
- Archive your organization at Wikipedia.com
Do a search at Wikipedia.com - is your organization there? Get it added as soon as you can. Not only are Wikipedia entries becoming the go-to reference source, but they are showing up very high in organic search engine results at Google and Yahoo!.
- Start your own blog
It's 2007, which means it's time to start a blog. Your donors are doing it, the organization down the street is doing it, and I wouldn't be surprised if your kids are doing it. You can get one setup and running in a matter of minutes with the free tool Blogger.
- Start Podcasting
The spoken word is a powerful way to convey a message, and this is even more pronounced in the nonprofit world. The written word is a powerful force, but is easily trumped by speech. A downloadable interview with your board, DOD, or donors is be a great way to share your mission with Web visitors.
- Share your links with Del.icio.us
Social bookmarking may be new, but I bet your browser's favorite list is jam packed with useful links. If they relate to your mission, create an account at del.icio.us. By adding and tagging bookmarklets, you can share information with coworkers, board members, and donors.
- Join LinkedIn.com
It's simple...sign up at linkedin.com, network with others that do what you do, and learn from them.
- Bring the Social Web to your site
This one is easier said than done...believe me, I know. Even if it's just a discussion forum or blog, get something on your site that will allow visitors to participate. Go further and implement team fundraising or giving circles - these provide your supporters a vehicle to engage one another and further your organization's mission.
These resolutions are really just ideas - hopefully a few of them will make sense for your organization. The key here is that the Web is changing rapidly, and social concepts are becoming an expectation of your donors. Use these tools now to get ahead, before you get behind.
Happy New Year everyone!