Startup costs are at an all time low, ideas are everywhere, and there are millions of content-creating users out there ready to help out. It's never been a better time to be a webby guy who's into webby things. These are good times. These are the salad days.
New services, tools, and sites bubble out of the ether each week, and it's awe-inspiring to watch startups of all shapes and sizes roll down the front pages of blogs like ReadWriteWeb and TechCrunch. It's safe to say that a lot of us are finding daily use for tools like Twitter and Facebook, even though they were mere distractions a year ago. While these may be the big box sites, I've noticed the adoption rate of smaller services is picking up - at least for me.
I signup for more sites than I know I'll ever use long-term, so the exodus often occurs as the new car smell fades. I just like to see the feature sets, check out the design, and get inspired. That said, lately some of them have been sticking, and I find myself using them on a regular basis. Here are 8 webby things that are living large in my world...what are you using?
- Summize
If you want to know if people are talking about your organization, company, product, boyfriend, or favorite band/show/book/game, then this is the tool for you. Summize performs real-time searches of Twitter, and should have more streams coming soon. I initially used TweetScan, but Summize has a better advanced search and is just prettier looking. www.summize.com
- Flock
Relatively new to me, Flock is pulling me in and
I'm using it almost daily. It's basically a pre-customized version of
Firefox geared towards the social media power user. The built in sidebar
manages major social sites (cool!), a media stream bar pulls in
content, integrated blogging and search is handy, plus it has all the Firefox goodness.
And that's nothing - 2.0 is in beta! www.flock.com
- SocialThing!
This is basically a social aggregator, but I
love its look and feel. Seeing all your friends in one place is really
useful, and Socialthing is especially handy if you are following a lot of
Flickr/YouTube/Digg/del.icio.us junkies. And while FriendFeed may have
threaded discussion and rooms, my friends don't need to join Socialthing
for me to follow them. This type of tool could be useful to
organizations following large groups, especially if they add the
ability to tag and filter. www.socialthing.com
- Plurk
This site could be called a Twitter-clone, but the similarities stop there. They have implemented this amazing horizontal scrolling timeline for updates, and it simply looks gorgeous (though, I've heard that when you're following lots of people, it gets crowded). Similar to FriendFeed, threaded discussions are attached to each update - this is great, and is one of the reasons early adopters are finding the platform handy for distributed online meetings. www.plurk.com
- FriendFeed
Currently the darling of the early adopter set, FriendFeed is growing by leaps and bounds because of its nimble feature set. It feels effortless to use, and makes it easy to "like" updates, join threaded discussions, and form ad-hoc groups. The "Rooms" feature is something that both Twitter, SocialThing, and Plurk (they are using "cliques") desperately need. Beth Kanter did an experiment for NPTech folks that gave us a reason to play with the features - and now we're all hooked. Twitter, you're on notice! www.friendfeed.com
- Twhirl
This was one of the first Adobe AIR apps that actually stuck for me, and I use this desktop Twitter client every day. Very functional, great options, and easy to deal with - I've had no problem turning other people onto this tool. www.twhirl.org
- Alert Thingy
Basically like Twhirl, but for FriendFeed. You can do most of your FF business within this sidebar desktop app. www.alertthingy.com
- Snurl, TinyURL, is.gd, etc
OK, when you want to post a big, long, nasty URL into a microblogging service, you've got a problem. That's why so many short URL generator sites have popped up, and why I continue to use them. I used Snurl for a long time, but lately I've been using is.gd, as the average URLs are a few characters shorter. www.snurl.com, www.tinyurl.com, and www.is.gd.
So, what webby things are getting sticky for you?
One of the most interesting webby things I get to do here at Blackbaud is produce, host, and edit all of our podcasts. Podcasting is a great way for any organization to create inexpensive social media that is informational, portable, and shareable. We have three different brands of podcasts here at Blackbaud, but the one nearest and dearest to my heart is The Baudcast.
Started over a year ago, The Baudcast is a bi-weekly nonprofit technology podcast. The show originally had a magazine format, with segments and interviews edited together in post-production. Recently, we've switched to a more engaging panel format, which allows us to bring in experts from around the company and industry for informal chats. With two shows featuring this new format under our belt, we have committed to record every two weeks. This will give us a chance to be more relevant and timely with our content, as well as bring in fresh faces from around the industry.
Feel free to download the last two shows, and if you have any interest in participating on the panel, just let me know.
- The Baudcast, Episode 9
This episode's panel discusses the Kintera acquisition announcement, the Internet Symposium, BBNC mashups, the Causes data report, mobile giving, the 3G iPhone, Socialthing!, NTEN Office Hours, and more. Chad Norman, Steve MacLaughlin, Melanie Milonas, Allison Van Diest, and Garrett Keating from The U.S. Navel Academy Alumni Association & Foundation. Download The Baudcast, Episode 9 (21 MB, 31 minutes)
- The Baudcast, Episode 8
This episode's panel discusses Blackbaud NetCommunity 5.5, social networking noise, the European SONI, Marc Pitman interview, and more. Chad Norman, Steve MacLaughlin, Melanie Milonas, and Allison Van Diest. Download The Baudcast, Episode 8 (15 MB, 21 minutes)
Following the example set by podcasting guru Leo Laporte, I am using a mix of in-room microphones and Skype to record the panelists. I am still working out the kinks in the technology - for instance, in episode 9 there is a problem with Steve's microphone - but things are always getting better. I will get a "how-to" post up here soon so you can start podcasting at your organization!
Yesterday I participated in the NTEN Office Hours program by hosting a session in the Communication Track...which we all know these days means webby things. I was a bit nervous going into the session, but I have to say it was a lot of fun - and a great example of using web technology to provide real-time results (on of my favorite things.)
Basically, NTEN reached out to its members seeking volunteers to host hour-long chat sessions once a week in their area of expertise. Using freely available tools like Google Calendar and meebo, the office hours program provides a conduit for sharing knowledge. Cheers to Anna, Holly, and the rest of the NTEN crew for setting up such a useful program!
Participating is easy. First, check out the calender to see which experts are signed up and when. Second, visit the chat room at the scheduled time for the expertise area of that volunteer: IT Staff,
Communications,
Fundraising,
Program,
or Leadership. And third, ask away!
I'll be hosting a session every Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET in the Communication room...stop by and chat!
I'm really not obsessed with Twitter...well, no more than you are at least. OK, maybe a little more. Either way, I just wrote this article for Fundraising Well and The NonProfit Times, and thought it should end up here on Webby Things. Enjoy!
Twitter Makes Relationships Work — Right Now
Social networking connects us like never before. We find each other, exchange information, and develop expanding networks as easily as we send email. This helps individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and governmental agencies form new kinds of relationships. That’s great, but now what? How do we put these relationships to work?
Sometimes participation in social networks can feel passive, because everyone is focused content. Friend requests, photo galleries, comments, application installations — it's exhausting! It’s like we’re spending all of our time creating and consuming each other’s content, instead of actually doing something.
What Is Twitter™?
Twitter™ is the social network that asks, "What are you doing?" and was designed “for staying in touch with and keeping up with friends no matter where you are or what you’re doing.” It’s sometimes called a micro-blogging service, because posts are limited to 140 characters or less. You can also look at it as social networking based on text messages, much like Digg™ is based on news or LinkedIn™ is based on resumes.
The relationship model is simple: You can follow people, and people can follow you. When you “tweet” something, your followers receive the message in their feed and on their phones. It sounds simple, but what separates Twitter™ from the social noise is its ease of use and mobile reach. The introduction of real-time, everywhere connectivity into a social network has produced meaningful results — results well past the original vision of keeping up with your friends while on the go.
Let’s assume someone on your staff has used Twitter™ to build a large following of interested people (how to do that is another article altogether!); what happens next? How can you make these Twitter™ relationships work?
Your Followers Are Actually Listening
Reaching out to constituents is a necessary part of fundraising, and many traditional methods require a serious investment. Direct mail, phone calls, email, blogging, and public relations can all take a long time to actually reach your audience. With an established following on Twitter™, you can reach out to them in just seconds. But you’ve got to have something to say…
You could use Twitter™ to broadcast outgoing marketing by posting links to event registrations, online donation forms, or volunteer opportunities. This is a more traditional way to make the relationship work, and many organizations are doing it. But you may want to try a more subtle approach by posting about those same things, but with a more personal vibe. Tweet that you are touring the venue for this year’s gala, stuffing bags for volunteer day, or heading to a board meeting. It may sound crazy, but your followers will care about this stuff. In fact, knowing these things will make them feel closer to you. This could come into play during your next campaign, as it’s always harder to say “no” to a friend.
Followers on Twitter™ can also help you spread your story, which can bring a welcome set of new eyeballs to your mission. Danielle Brigida is a social media expert who detailed her development of a successful social media strategy for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). By leveraging relationships in various social networks, including Twitter™, Danielle’s followers regularly help NWF content land on the front page of the social news website digg.com. When this happens, a post on the NWF Wildlife Promise blog might see traffic increase from around 150 pages views to around 29,000 page views. For organizations like NWF, where online visitors often turn into online donors, investing in a social media channel like Twitter™ can clearly pay off.
You Should Listen Too
If Twitter's™ emergence as a broadcast tool is the predictable success story of the platform, then its power as a receiver is the big surprise. When you reciprocate relationships by following your own followers, you let your most avid supporters know they have a chance to reach out to you — and that you’ll listen.
A frequently used tactic on Twitter™ is to ping your followers for some information. You could reach out for ideas for your gala theme, find a volunteer in a nearby neighborhood, or get one last anecdote before a board meeting. Instant feedback by like is difficult to get with traditional tools, but Twitter™ can make it happen as you’re rolling on the tarmac or waiting in line at a store. A community that’s always connected is always there when you need it.
But what about just getting to know your constituents better? After a big alumni event, spending an hour following links to Flickr™ photos and YouTube™ videos might give you a clearer picture of how things really went from an attendee perspective. If you have a large scale media or viral campaign, you can use a tool like TweetScan to monitor the chatter. Because the Twitter™ platform is mobile and provides constant access, it’s becoming the place to go for instant reaction. If you can develop a large enough following, this can work for you.
In the end, Twitter™ is a place where relationships can get things done quickly. As with any foray into social networking, a well thought out strategy and clear goals are important first steps. But once you decide to integrate real-time social networking into your communication plan, your Twitter™ relationships will be ready for duty.
Want to see what it’s all about? Sign-up and follow me!
My brain has been buzzing ever since I read the big Google Friend Connect press release yesterday. Social networks form natural silos or walled gardens, and even FriendFeed may not be able to break them down (despite an AMAZING feature set - I've loving you FriendFeed). This is a big challenge, and Google's Friend Connect has arrived to take it on.
Friend Connect uses the open API access of existing social networks (Facebook, Orkut, Plaxo, hi5) and social standrards (OpenID, OpenSocial,oAuth) to bring social networking to any website. By adding some relatively simple code, your visitors can soon be bonding over their love for what you do - and who doesn't want that? Sure this thing looks a little unfinished (Where is the support for EVERY social network - come on, you're Google - get it done! And the widget better be highly customizable, because the demo didn't exactly look fetching.), but the idea is simple: connect the dots.
I've been really fascinated with all the lifestreaming/social aggregator sites like FriendFeed, Socialthing!, and Profilactic. The ability to have a real-time view of people's lives is powerful. But putting all the rich audience knowledge aside, even FriendFeed is not immune to social network whiplash (the sudden migration of users form one social network to the next). Friend Connect could make network migrations irrelevant, while also giving smaller sites an inexpensive way to leverage broaders social networks. With a strategy like this, we may not have to wait for friends to join us on the next "It Social Network"... they'll already be there.
I can't wait to see where this goes...how about you?
Geek Note:
As I'm writing this, I'm sitting through the presentation at Google Campfire One live from Robert Scoble's Quk account. Not only am I hearing all of this two hours before it will be publicly available, but it's a beautiful example the Twitter > Qik broadcast schema. Just a few clicks and I'm watching live coverage of an invite-only event from the perspective of an industry insider. Several jets flew over the outside gathering, leading to inevitable jokes about Microsoft spy planes...you can't make this stuff up. I mean, this would never have happened one year ago. Is this an exciting time for technology or what?!?
Blackbaud's Conference for Nonprofits in Montreal
is off to a brilliant start this morning, and Twitter updates are
allowing attendees to share the experience with their followers. The
era of microblogging (Twitter), lifestreaming (Socialthing! and FriendFeed), and mobile broadcasting (Qik) is changing the way we we communicate with each other, and events are certainly prime venues to play with this technology.
I've already seen a few tweets from people I'm following, and I'm dropping some myself. Twitter user micahwittman
sent in this update from Marc Van Baar's session on Mail Merging:
"Spoiler: Raisers Edge 8 to have Total Giving and other aggregate
fields for mail merge!" Shortly after, I picked up a tweet from marcapitman, who said: " tweeting from the Blackbaud
conference in Montreal. About to learn about building an online
village! (This is my first "in session" tweet!)"
What
can I say, I'm loving this! This influx of real-time tools is
encouraging lifestreaming and self-broadcasting, and their impact is
only just beginning to become evident. One thing is for sure - things
will never been them same...for you, me, nonprofits, corporations, and
even government agencies.
OK, back to the Twittterverse...
Last week, I sat on an emerging technologies panel at the South Carolina PRSA conference. This was a great opportunity to introduce a tool like twitter to a room full of professional communicators. It doesn't matter if you work for a 500-donor nonprofit or a publicly traded behemoth like Google, tools that facilitate disintermediation are becoming more and more relevant to marketing, and Twitter is no exception.
So since I know some of you are out there tech evangelizing everyday, I thought a few of my Twitter-related slides might prove useful to you. I've uploaded a PowerPoint file with 10 graphical slides that you can use to your heart's content. It's not much, but hey - if it saves you a few minutes while working on a presentation, that's just more time for you to tweet. Enjoy!
Have you checked out Woopra yet? Woopra is a web
analytics tool that not only delivers revolutionary real-time data, but does so
with stunning beauty. The day trader vibe of the user interface makes me
think all webmasters using this tool will soon be channeling their inner Jim Cramer,
with a touch of Jason Calacanis thrown in.
Check out this video for a great tour.
Most of the base
features you would find in any analytics tool are there, but then
Woopra takes it to a whole new level by adding rich visitor
interactivity. Here are some things that stood out to me:
- Live web tracking - Yeah, the real time stuff looks incredible.
- Visitor and member tagging - By tapping into membership
data in tools like Wordpress and vBulletin, known visitors can be tagged and
monitored as they navigate your site.
- Visitor chatting - The ability to open a chat session with
a visitor you are monitoring, or vice versa (WHAT?!?!) I'll have to see
this to believe it, but it sound pretty amazing.
- Real-time notifications - Woopra can send you alerts when
specific actions take place (user X views product page, user Y is
starting a new discussion, etc.)
So, if you can get over the stalker-esque nature of this app, sign up for the beta to get your hands on it. If you want to learn more, check out Cali Lewis' coverage of the tool at GeekBrief.tv.
As with most webby-types, I'm becoming hopelessly addicted to Twitter. That
said, I have a lot of trouble explaining to skeptics how tiny updates
about what people are doing can actually be useful. They don't see that
while Twitter appears to be about nothing, it is really about everything
(I'm starting to understand how Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David must
have felt pitching their show "about nothing" to NBC.)
CommonCraft
said it best: real life is what happens between blog posts and emails, and now there's a way to share. Watch the video and see for
yourself...their explanation is right on the money. To me, following the right person on Twitter is like shadowing a mentor - the content comes from in the field, is timely, and can be extremely useful. Following someone on Facebook feels like I'm reading their yearbook or dorm room door - the content is planned, often stale, and typically unhelpful (groups, causes, and apps aside...but stay with me). If you don't believe me, check out these updates from my Twitter and Facebook feeds:
Twitter feed:
- CaliLewis: Shooting live on www.GBTVlive.com now. Will give away eight Woopra invites randomly. Must log into geekbrief.tv & have left a comment.
- ntenhross: very concise, easy outline to ensure email delivery for orgs newer to all this: http://snurl.com/23h6r-snit
- WilHarris: WT? New Kids on the Block are back??
- bwjacobs: Thundercats are GO for Cocoa Infinity build!
- JasonCalacanis: Google Analytics now supports hourly/weekly/monthly reports! Thank you Google Gods!!! I love you!!! kiss kiss: http://tinyurl.com/392ct8
Facebook feed:
- Rachel Hutchisson and Colleen Troy are now friends.
- Rich Conte added the Dogbook application.
- Erin Watson is attending SCPRSA Spring Conference.
- Meg Trott, Suzann Wolfe, Violet Meyer and Seth Greathouse changed their profile pictures.
- Get Blockbuster By Mail for only $3.99 a month.
It's not even a contest. Facebook is telling me about updated profile photos, installed applications, and products I may want to buy - this is not real life. Twitter is telling me about updates to Google Analytics, how to get Woopra invites, Blackbaud product information, and new tech tools for nonprofits - this is real life. This is useful. Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of "I just ate a hamburger" posts on Twitter, but the useful content tends to stand out.
I think Veronica Belmont described it well: Twitter is great for keeping tabs on internet friends (professionals, peers, partners, etc), while Facebook is great at keeping track of brick and mortar friends (family, classmates, neighbors, etc). That's a great way to look at it, and makes sense. Web-savvy types want to connect directly with followers via mobile phones, IM, and laptops in order to push the industry forward. My cousin just wants to find his old girlfriend from high school or post photos of his frat party - that's a different need, and it requires a different tool.
In the end, it's the concept of Twitter that is useful and historic. This is the first truly mobile platform providing busy professionals, celebrities, and other notables with an easy and safe way to directly communicate with their followers (and it works for the rest of us as well). When you've got a full calender, it's hard to blog or make phone calls...especially to your fans. But at 140 characters or less, there is always time to tweet...and thanks to Twitter, someone just might be listening.
Follow me!
Not necessary web-related...
Attention Junior Achievement chapters - this post is for you! Well, it's actually for everyone, but Junior Achievements are famous for their bowl-a-thons. These are great, interactive fundraising events that have proven successful for many years - but could they be better?
So, I'm bowling on my Nintendo Wii the other night, and got to thinking about how easy, fun, and approachable the system is as a whole. Even my parents like it! Maybe this bowling game could be put to good use? How about a Wii-a-thon?
Maybe this can actually compete with a real bowl-a-thon, but for certain organizations hosting a Wii-a-thon might appeal to a more youthful audience. This could increase participation, donations, and media awareness. Nobody is really doing this yet, so this might be a good opportunity to get noticed in your community.
Here are ten reasons why a Wii-a-thon might be right for you:
- Bowler's average scores are higher (more $$$).
- You don't need an available bowling alley.
- Participants can wear their own shoes.
- Physically limited bowlers can participate.
- Bowl-a-thons could span time and location.
- There is no cost if you have access to a Wii.
- Bowlers can rock & bowl to their own music.
- Participants won't smell like a bowling alley when they get home.
- Multiple locations could be used to increase participation.
- Actual bowling is tired, Wii bowling is wired.
Happy bowling!
It's February 1st - have you updated your Web site's copyright date yet?
If you haven't, you're not alone. Forgetting to update is commonplace, and I see it all the time. Data was needed, so yesterday I checked out the
top 100 nonprofits. What I found was shocking.
I expected a few would have forgotten, but not 34%. I even saw a few that still were listed as 2005 - wow! But don't feel bad - the
top 100 for-profits didn't fair much better, with 18% forgetting to update.
Are you still reading? Have you checked your site yet?
There are many ways to handle your Web site's copyright info, some of which require no updating at all. I took a look how nonprofits and for-profits were displaying copyright info, and was able to identify five buckets to drop each method into:
- Current - Example: © 2007 OrgName
By far the most popular, this method displays the current year next to the copyright symbol. Take a look at the Googles, Ebays, and Microsofts of the world and you'll see they've adopted this method. Why? Not only does it give an impression of being up-to-date, but it uses the least amount of pixels. If you go this route, you must remember to update it each year, or use some JavaScript to do it for you.
- Span - Example: © 2003 - 2007 OrgName
This method displays the range of years for which the work is copyrighted, usually spanning from the launch year to the current year. It shows off how long you've been around and gives the impression that the site is updated, but you will have to change the date each year.
- Launch - Example: © 2003 OrgName
This is the method actually prescribed by copyright law, but is very hard to find in the wild. Why? If you went to a site with a copyright date of 1998 would you buy something or trust them? It gives the impression of laziness or outdated content, something a netizen always tries to avoid.
- Text - Example: Use of text, images and other content on this website...
Some sites just provide their copyright information in paragraph form with no date to be found. While unconventional, this method requires no updating, and gives you a chance to be specific with your conditions. But if you are a fan of standards, I would steer clear of this one.
- None - Example: ___________
This method is for people who drive without seatbelts and go spelunking alone. Some people like to take chances, but I would recommend using one of the previous four methods to protect your content. Then take the day of and go skydiving.
The data for the methodology survey is below. You'll notice most sites stick to displaying the current year, with spanning being the next most popular. I think it is noteworthy that 9% of nonprofits had no copyright info on their sites whatsoever, something that did not happen in the for-profit sector.
Two final thoughts. First, make sure your site's copyright information is up-to-date - It just makes good sense. Second, I am not an attorney, and nothing in this post should be construed as legal advice - I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
We talk a lot about nonprofits using the social web to attract and engage donors, but the concepts trend more towards awareness than action. Using MySpace or YouTube to deliver your message to a broad audience is one thing - getting them to act is another.
That’s where
SixDegrees.org,
AOL Instant Messenger, and
Network for Good come in. Someone had the brilliant idea to put these three ingredients into a giant Web 2.0 blender in the hopes of producing a tasty, social fundraising smoothie – and it looks like they have succeeded.
With Kevin Bacon as
the natural pitchman, 6Degrees.org is asking donors to choose a nonprofit, then get 6 friends to give to the same organization. Network for Good is covering the online donations, while AOL's MySpace equivalent
AIM Pages handles the social aspect. The idea is to use a social network to form impromptu giving circles...got it?
No? Here, I'll let Mr. Bacon tell it like it is:
All you have to do is use the AIM for Good module on this page. Simply pick the charity that you would like to rally support for, enter up to six e-mail addresses of your buddies and family members, and write them a note asking for their support. The e-mail that they’ll receive will give them the opportunity to give, right there, to the charity you’ve selected. All transactions will be private and secure.
Another way you can help is by making your own AIM Page, which can include the AIM for Good module on it too. So, when your buddies stop by your page, they’ll be reminded to get the word out and rally support with their friends and families.
While I love the concept, the whole things feels a little thrown together. When you read about it, or hear
Kevin talk about it, it's not crystal clear who is involved and exactly what you are supposed to do. With some tighter integration and better defined user paths, I can see this program really taking off. Cheers to everyone involved!
Each week, billions of searches generate millions of dollars for companies like
Google and
Yahoo!. It's hard to believe this much revenue can be generated simply from clicks and data retrieval. What if some of that cash could be diverted to your organization?
That question was on the minds of Ken and JJ Ramberg when they launched
GoodSearch.com back in 2005. GoodSearch donates 50% of their ad revenue to nonprofit organizations...and the kicker is that users choose which ones. Here's how it works:
On the GoodSearch homepage, choose from thousands of organizations or add your favorite cause to our list. Search the Internet just like you normally would — the site is powered by Yahoo!, so you'll get the same high-quality search results you're accustomed to. Fifty percent of the revenue generated from advertisers is shared with the charity, school or nonprofit organization of your choosing.
Sounds so simple, doesn't it? There may be some room for fraud here, but I still like the concept and attitude. I performed a few searches with some of my
favorite nonprofits, and it's nice to know that a few pennies of that ad revenue will be going somewhere useful, rather than to a corporation's bottom line.
GoodSearch has some
great information on how to get your nonprofit listed, and how to link to them from your site. So setup an account, educate your donors, and put those billions of searches to work.
I recently ran across a new video sharing site for nonprofits,
DoGooder.tv. Very cool. The site is live right now, though in alpha, and allows nonprofits to post high-quality videos for a small fee free. They plan to include more community and online donation functionality down the road, so this is pretty exciting.
But will nonprofits flock to DoGooderTV instead of free alternatives like
YouTube or
Google Video? DoGooderTV will always have a captive audience looking for nonprofit content, but whether or not organizations will be willing to pay for that placement remains to be seen. Tracking…
Update: Michael says:
The site is 100% FREE! A new version is online now that allows nonprofits to create basic home pages and upload video.
That's great news from the DoGooderTV camp - not only because the the service will be free, but social elements like creating pages are coming sooner rather than later.
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