Chad Norman's Webby Things : Marketing

7 Webby Sessions Not to Miss at BBCon

Chad Norman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:59:00 GMT

I can't believe our 10th Conference for Nonprofits is just a few days away! There's still so much to get ready, but I'm really getting psyched to see all the peeps coming into town. And while networking is a key benefit of BBCon, it's really the sessions that everyone is excited about. With over 130 topics to choose from, there's definitely something for everyone. But if you're a webby geek like me, there are some amazing Internet sessions you won't want to miss. My picks for this year are...

Branding Your Nonprofit Online - This session is based on case studies, and will help you realize the impact branding has on online communication. Social media rock star Danielle Brigida (National Wildlife Federation) will be co-presenting and providing some great insights from NWF.
Making Event Participants More Successful with Social Media Tools - If you are rocking Blackbaud Sphere, this is the session for you! Mark Davis (Blackbaud), Donna Wilkins (Charity Dynamics) and Jodie Kolkowski (American Heart Association) are going to cover how to incorporate Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube into your online events.
Online Metrics Demystified: Understanding Your Hits, Clicks, and Errors - If online metrics really freak you out, be sure to check out Steve MacLaughlin's session to soothe your soul. He covers all the metrics you should be looking at, and will help you understand why they are important.
Tools and Techniques to Make Your Web Content More Interactive and Shareable - Frank Barry (Blackbaud) is a genius, and this session will explore all the third-party tools you can use to make your web content dynamic and sharable. Don't miss this!
Live and Interactive: Does Your Website Meet Your Organizational Objectives? - If you're wondering if your website is meeting your mission, be sure to attend Raheel Gauba's session. He'll be doing live, 10-minute brainstorms on the actual sites of attendees - maybe yours!

I'll also be talking about webby things throughout the event, so come find me! My sessions include:

50 Social Media Tactics You Can Use Today - I'll be presenting this rapid-fire session with Melanie Mathos (Blackbaud), and it will cover 50 things you do using social media. We're assuming you have a strategy and goals already, so we're hoping this session will give you the ideas to push ahead.
Social Media Workshop - This 40-seat workshop will allow attendees to actually do some of the things we discussed in the 50 Social Media Tactics session. We'll setup a Google Dashboard, add a blog to a Facebook profile, and find some good people to follow in Twitter.
New Frontiers in Marketing and Fundraising - This is a cool panel discussion that is focused on emerging technologies. We'll be covering how video, SMS, and podcasting can be using to enhance your engagement and fundraising.

There you have it. Be sure to check out all the Conference sessions - there's a lot of great stuff to see. Follow @BBCon on Twitter for updates and I'll see you in Charleston!

9 Simple Things Everyone Should Know about Twitter Hashtags

Chad Norman — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:30:00 GMT

A couple weeks ago, we had a rip-roaring conversation about Twitter on The Baudcast. We gave Twitter center stage for the entire episode, and picked a couple of topics we know people often have questions about. Wendy Harman (American Red Cross), Danielle Brigida (National Wildlife Federation), Anna Richter (NTEN), Frank Barry (Blackbaud), and Steve MacLaughlin dropped some great insights, including how to setup your account, the best tools to use, and hashtags.

Here are 9 simple things we discussed that everyone should know about hashtags:

They're great for grouping and tracking conversations (#nptech)
Hashtags make keeping up with events easy (#10ntc)
Useful when searching for real-time information (#iranelection)
Great for finding new people to follow (#nonprofit)
Don't overuse them in your Tweets - save room for content!
Funny ones can add some humor to a tweet (#justsayin)
You can integrate them into a program (#nwf)
Keep them short of you want people to use them (#ff)
You can search for them at hashtags.org

Now, if you're not that into hashtags, the show had plenty other stuff to chew on. I really liked the discussion around whether to use a branded Twitter account or just let your staff be your evangelists. There was also a lengthy discussion on Twitter tools.

Be sure to get all the juicy details on The Baudcast: (iTunes or direct)

6 Dogooding Webby Things Your Nonprofit Should Check Out

Chad Norman — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:19:00 GMT

The Internet, nonprofits, and cause-based action have been natural partners since day one, not unlike peanut butter and jelly...and, um, more jelly. So it's no surprise that the successes nonprofits have seen with social media are constantly being cited, something I observed at SXSW. This happens because social technology works, and new methods of interacting with supporters are emerging every week. Here are six great webby things that every dogooder should check out:

Act.ly
A tactful use of a petition can work wonders for a cause, and Act.ly is an easy way to integrate this activity into your Twitter strategy. Act.ly allows petitions to be created that target Twitter users (politicians, businesses, organizations, etc.). The platform provides a way for your supporters to sign the petition, send a tweet about the effort, see others that have joined the cause, and embed a badge on their own sites. Check out how the League of Conservation Voters is using the platform to urge Oprah to discuss President Obama's clean energy plan, and then integrating the petition into their home page. www.act.ly

Facebook Fan Box
Having a Facebook Fan page is a great way to engage supporters, and many organizations are integrating these pages into their overall communications strategy. The Facebook Fan Box is an embeddable widget you can place on your website, blog, and other web properties to integrate the Facebook experience. Visitors can use the Fan Box to become a fan, view status updates, see who is supporting your cause, and read what they are saying. The Lance Armstrong Foundation uses the widget to connect connect fans with Lance himself, and drive visitors to this valuable social channel. www.facebook.com

IdealistNews
Using social news sites like Digg, Yahoo Buzz, Mixx, and Reddit can bring new visitors to your cause, but only if your stories don't get lost in the vast pool of content. Idealist.org has partnered with Reddit to create IdealistNews, a nonprofit-focused social news platform. Once your organization's news stories and blog posts have been submitted, users have the opportunity to vote them up. The more votes, the more likely people are to hear your message. www.idealist.org

Actions for Facebook
For advocacy-based organizations, providing easy ways to communicate with politicians is critical to success. Grassroots Enterprises has released Actions for Facebook, and powerful online advocacy application for Facebook. The tool makes it easy to turn your fans into activists by helping them send letters to state and federal officials, find appropriate local activities, and invite friends to participate. Features like widgets, unique URLs, and data collection make it easy to integrate into your communication strategy. www.grassroots.com

eBay Giving Works
While this isn't exactly new, I like that eBay helps users create positive change with every purchase. eBay Giving Works allows buyers to find sellers that support good causes, give direct donations via PayPal, and enables sellers to donate proceeds to nonprofits. All you have to do is sign-up your org to participate in the program. www.ebay.com

Good.ly
If your organization is using Twitter, then you're probably familiar with URL shortening tools like bit.ly, ow.ly, and TinyURL.com. Good.ly has taken the short URL business into the nonprofit sector by generating donations from users. When purchases are made from Good.ly click-throughs, a portion of the referral fee goes to one of three featured charities. While this may not be a financial windfall for the nonprofits, it is still a great application of technology for social good. www.good.ly

I also want to give a shout out to a few other webby things I've been digging lately. Check out Geoff Livingston's List of Change for a dynamic list of the most popular nonprofit blogs. Socialbright is a great resource that can help your nonprofit use social media, as is Social by Social. And of course there is the Summer of Social Good, Mashable's push to promote dogooding through social media.

How Much Are Your Webby Things Worth?

Chad Norman — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:29:00 GMT

The cost of keeping your cause on the web, whether it's online fundraising, social networking, or raising awareness, is hard to quantify. It's even harder to determine wheather these efforts are actually helping your organization, or just wasting valuable time. Blackbaud wants to help you find out!

Today is your last chance to participate in the "What is the monetary value of being online?" survey, which is part of the State of the Nonprofit Industry (SONI) program. Not only will you be helping the nonprofit industry, but you'll be entered to win one of three $100 Visa gift cards. You'll also receive a copy of the final report, and that's it - because not only will your information be kept confidential, it won't be used for sales purposes. The SONI team really just wants to help us all understand the value of being online!

Take the Internet value survey - What is the monetary value of being online?

The survey ends today at 5:00 p.m. ET, and the results will be released very soon. In the mean time, be sure to check out these other studies:

Online Giving Smackdown :: A Very Special Baudcast

Chad Norman — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:18:00 GMT

When Target Analytics released its 2008 donorCentrics Internet Giving Benchmarking Analysis, the sector responded with keen interest. The study is packed with insightful nuggets, but one trend is capturing everyone's attention (including The New York Times): First time online donors are often migrating to other channels, like direct mail. Yikes!

Will online giving, with it's higher average gift and youthful appeal, prove not to be the silver bullet everyone thought? The blogosphere and Twitter lit up looking for an answer, but I really liked this post on The Agitator: is online fundraising Too Important for Techies?

We decided to dig into the issue on episode 24 of The Baudcast (iTunes | direct), so key players were invited on the show for an epic online giving battle (or at least a lively conversation). Joining me was Roger Craver (founder of The Agitator and Craver, Mathews, Smith & Company), Hildy Gottlieb (president of The Community Driven Institute and author of The Pollyanna Principles), and Rob Harris (co-author of the 2008 donorCentrics Internet Giving Benchmarking report). I had a great Blackbaud crew on hand as well: Steve MacLaughlin, Allison Van Diest, and Melanie Mathos.

The conversation was GREAT to say the least, as both Roger and Hildy blew us away with their understanding of multi-channel integrated campaigns. Steve posted some quotes from the show over on Connections, and we were all live tweeting comments during the call. Near the end of the conversation, I asked the panel what nonprofits could do tomorrow to better integrate and support online fundraising efforts...here are the responses:

Have a strategy that goes beyond fundraising. A good strategy should start with what your organization wants to accomplish, who you want to reach, and where those people are - then decide on the channels and tools.
Find other organizations that are doing multi-channel communications well, and copy them.
Listen carefully to what people are saying on blogs and social networking sites. Then use these feedback mechanisms to solicit information from your audience. Testing should used online as much as it is with direct mail - because it works.
Invest in good copy. Not just a good writer, but looking at your audience and what drives them. Then craft a message based on that.
Use your online channel to improve stewardship and increase the value of your donors.
Leadership is needed at an organization to break down the silos between the direct mail, email, and phone-a-thon teams. An integrated campaign is a successful campaign.

There you have it. Hear the rest on The Baudcast: (iTunes | direct)

5 Nonprofit Storytelling Lessons from a Master of Hip-Hop

Chad Norman — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:40:00 GMT

So much of social media and relationship marketing revolves around storytelling, and this is especially true for nonprofits. Using the internet and social media as a vehicle to tell stories is an approachable, inexpensive, and effective way to engage your audience (Check out NTEN's social media and storytelling web seminars series for the juicy details.)

Last week I was listening to some old school hip-hop - you know, Eric B and Rakim, Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, etc. These artists are all great examples of how media can be used for social change - as a vehicle for storytelling. At this phase in the evolution of hip-hop, artists were still explaining to listeners WHY they were picking up a microphone - meaning, they were trying to tell us about themselves...about their organization, and what they were trying to accomplish.

KRS1 was the brains behind Boogie Down Productions, and he was a master storyteller. He devoted a few songs on every album that told us about himself, his mission, and why he was speaking out. I think that's something all nonprofits can learn from. It's like selling yourself from the inside out. KRS1 would go on to become an expert at using music as a vehicle for social change (a whole other blog post), but early on it was all about telling his own story. And he did it well.

Here are 5 quotes from the Boogie Down Productions classic "My Philosophy" that provide lessons in storytelling that all nonprofits can benefit from:

"You're a philosopher? Yes, I think very deeply."
Do you know you stuff? Oh yeah you do - and your audience wants to learn from you. Go deep, be honest, and be passionate. Tell your story from the roots up. Nobody knows your mission better than you, so every time you write, blog, podcast, and speak, tell your story proudly and your philosophy will get across.

"You gotta have style, and learn to be original"
The best ideas may be stolen, but they're also the most common. Put yourself or your organization out there in a unique way that people can connect with. Be creative. Your story is yours, so give it a style and flair that reflects your culture and mission.

"I just produce, create, innovate on a higher level"
There is no substitute for hard work, high standards, and constant scheming. Join every social network, community, directory, and affinity group you can to tell your story. Be prolific, type furiously, be emotional - all when appropriate, of course. Content will always be king, so if your story is creative and innovative, it will be heard by the desired audience.

"It's not about a salary, it's all about reality"
A good story can connect with anyone, regardless of economic status. A well crafted, mission-focused message can impact an unemployed college graduate just as much as a Fortune 500 CEO. People are giving because of how they feel about reality, not their salary. The ask might be different when that time comes, but everyone loves a good story.

"This is just one style, out of many"
Despite Kurt Vonnegut being my favorite author, I still search for opposing styles from other writers. Tell a good story, but don't forget to bring in new voices. Storytelling is very personal, and multiple authors will bring multiple styles. This can help you reach a wider audience. Find the storytellers in your organization, whether they are members, staff, donors, or board members, and give them the platform to tell your story.

So, are you ready to channel your inner old-school hip-hop master and start storytelling? Be sure to check out the last two sessions of NTEN's social media and storytelling web seminars series, and then visit the We Are Media Project for details on how to make it happen. Now let's hear your philosophy!

A Trifecta of The Baudcast for Your Ear Holes

Chad Norman — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:07:00 GMT

If you dig nonprofits, technology, and learning, then I've got a show for you! The Baudcast is a biweekly technology podcast featuring Blackbaud employees and industry experts chatting about current tools and trends. The last three shows really showcase a good range of topics, so I thought I'd offer this quick roundup:

Episode 18 — Online Fundraising Events
Raising money at online events is more popular than ever thanks to social networking and internet marketing. In this episode, the panel discusses online event fundraising, friends asking friends, online giving trends, automated thank-you emails, event metrics and ROI, independent fundraising events, event widgets, and more. Participants include Chad Norman, Melanie Mathos, Jamie Holaday, and Mark Davis.

Episode 17 — Social Media Metrics
Hey, we all need help understanding the impact of our social media efforts. This tech issue-shortened episode has some great ideas to get you started. The panel looks at tracking conversations, reputation monitoring, personal verses organizational social graphs, measuring commenters, capturing incoming links, tracking tools, RSS filtering, and more. The all-star panel includes Chad Norman, Steve MacLaughlin, Melanie Mathos, Danielle Brigida (National Wildlife Federation), Jonathon Colman (The Nature Conservancy), and Holly Ross (The Nonprofit Technology Network).

Episode 16 — Social Media for Environmental Organizations
The Baudcast goes green on this episode by featuring techies from five environmentally-focused nonprofits. Green organizations have always done social networking right, so here's your chance to learn from the experts as they discuss social web promotion, market testing, social media ROI, social news stickiness, NWF's Good Neighbor Program, friends asking friends, allocating staff time to social networks, social networking role models, (lil) Green Patch, Facebook apps for small nonprofits, and more. Participants include Chad Norman (Go Green Charleston), Melanie Mathos (Fields to Families), Michael Sola (Chesapeake Bay Foundation), Danielle Brigida (National Wildlife Federation), and Jonathon Colman (The Nature Conservancy).

I hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as I enjoy making it. Networking, sharing, and learning is so crucial in our market, and I truly hope The Baudcast is helping do its part to make this world a better place.

The easiest way to keep up with the show is by subscribing via the iTunes Music Store, and episodes are always available at Blackbaud.com. As always, if you have any feedback regarding the show, drop me a line at TheBaudcast@blackbaud.com.

Also, we'll be recording a special edition from Blackbaud's 2008 Conference for Nonprofits right here in Charleston. We'll be set up in the Marketplace, and we're hoping some brave attendees will drop in for a chat. It should be a lot of fun, so be sure to check it out in a couple weeks.

Is Your iPod Hungry? Feed it The Baudcast!

Chad Norman — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:10:00 GMT

I don't know about you, but my iPod has an insatiable appetite for new podcasts. Not a 12,000-calorie Michael Phelps-sized appetite, but it certainly appreciates being fed useful podcasts rather than old Led Zeppelin records. OK, it likes the old Zeppelin records too...

There are bunch of nonprofit podcasts out there to feed your mind and save your commute. I subscribe to Nonprofit Jungle: Guide to Smart Communications, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising, and the CPNS-QUT-Nonprofit Podcast. Sometimes nonprofit podcasts come in other shapes and sizes, like Marc Pitman's Ask Without Fear! Radio Show. It's live the first time, but after that you can download and take each episode with you wherever you go.

Here at Blackbaud, we're filled to the brim with amazing employees and customers that have served the sector for years. We use our flagship podcast, The Baudcast, as a means of capturing this thought leadership and delivering it to the world. Every two weeks, The Baudcast brings together a panel of experts to discuss recent news, trends, and happenings in the nonprofit space. It's a fun show that I'm proud to produce, host, and edit. If you haven't checked it out yet, it's available for download at Blackbaud.com or the Itunes Music Store.

Here is a rundown of the last four episodes:

The Baudcast, Episode 13
A fundraising-focused show featuring direct mail, list trading, data modeling, personalized touches, planned giving, attracting millennial donors, social networking, 2008 Conference for Nonprofits, NetWits Live @Portland, The United Way, and more. Participants include Chad Norman, Melanie Milonas, Jamie Holaday, Marc Pitman, and Ken Meifert (National Baseball Hall of Fame).
The Baudcast, Episode 12
This episode's panel discusses Blackbaud NetCommunity 5.5, efficiency through integration, multi-channel messaging, BBNC API, BBNC Idea Bank, social networking, Blackbaud Delivers, NetWits Live @Portland, Socialthing, VoteTheBay.org, and more. Participants include Chad Norman, Steve MacLaughlin, Melanie Milonas, Garrett Keating (United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation), and Michael Sola (Chesapeake Bay Foundation).
The Baudcast, Episode 11
A lively discussion on the Target Index of National Fundraising Q1 2008 findings, CAN-SPAM rule changes, the NTEN We Are Media project, PCI compliance, eTapestry in Spanish, the Kintera acquisition, the iPhone 3G, and more. Participants include Chad Norman, Steve MacLaughlin, Melanie Milonas, Jamie Holaday, and Chris Harris..
The Baudcast, Episode 10
This episode's panel discusses the 2008 Giving USA data, generation Y working at nonprofits, the 2008 Blackbaud Higher Ed Forum, Firefox 3.0, BBNC Idea Bank, Blackbaud Interviews podcast, Reward Your Passion grants, Blackbaud customer fan video, and more. Participants include Chad Norman, Steve MacLaughlin, Melanie Milonas, and Jamie Holaday.

We're already setup for a ripping good time discussing social networking on episode 14 next week - I'm looking forward to it. I often send out tweets asking for questions while we are taping (follow me on Twitter), so be on the lookout. I also hope to begin broadcasting the show live on Stickam this fall.

So, keep your iPod happy and healthy by downloading some nonprofit podcasts today!

Two New Episodes of The Baudcast

Chad Norman — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:37:00 GMT

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. Naval 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!

Anyone Need Twitter Slides?

Chad Norman — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:49:00 GMT

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!

Real-Time Web Analytics with Woopra

Chad Norman — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:29:00 GMT

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.

Chad Norman — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:18:00 GMT

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.

6 Degrees of Fundraising

Chad Norman — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 21:16:00 GMT

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!

Searching for Dollars at GoodSearch.com

Chad Norman — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:08:00 GMT

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.

Ten Social Web New Year's Resolutions for Nonprofits

Chad Norman — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 20:51:00 GMT

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!