How blogging and social networking benefit nonprofits
A nonprofit’s success hinges on how many connections it makes. New connections create increased support and typically lead to additional funding. Getting messages across, however, can be expensive and difficult without a strong platform to present from. Blogs and social network profiles are two simple and inexpensive ways a nonprofit can solve this problem.
Blogs and social profiles allow nonprofits to communicate with existing supporters and introduce the organization to new supporters.
According to Technorati.com’s about page, “a blog, or weblog, is a regularly updated journal published on the web. Some blogs are intended for a small audience; others vie for readership with national newspapers. Blogs are influential, personal, or both, and they reflect as many topics and opinions as there are people writing them.“
Nonprofit blogs can tell about the organization, discuss the causes the organization supports and update supporters about current activities and events.
In the Nov. 28., 2007, article “Nonprofit Leaders who Blog,” Nancy Schwartz mentioned some successful nonprofit bloggers, some of who are presidents and executive directors, that effectively communicate with supporters.
One stand-out blogger Schwartz mentioned was Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. Schwartz explained how Pope effectively communicated with people through writing about real problems and how he gave each entry a personal touch that could catch any readers’ attention.
Blogs are an accessible forum where an organization’s members can discuss topics of interest or concern at length. The March 22, 2006, blog, “10 ways Nonprofits can use Blogs,” Britt Bravo expands on nonprofit blogging by suggesting 10 ways nonprofits can use blogs.
Bravo wrote that blogs are great communication tools for organization members who are on the road or at a conference because blogs keep readers up-to-date with new information. In addition, blogs allow volunteers to interact with organization members by sharing ideas and discussing the work they’ve done for the organization. Blogs can also be used for wide-scale communication by creating media for a nonprofit organization and by reaching new donors.
Whether blogs are used in a personal manner for experience sharing or in a public manner as a marketing tool, blogs have versatility that is undeniable.
One issue many nonprofits face is reaching young supporters. Blogs and social network profiles are a great solution to this problem.
According to the Aug. 1, 2007, article “A New Generation Reinvents Philanthropy: Blogs, Social-Networking Sites Give 20-Somethings a Means to Push, Fund Favorite Causes,” at online.wsj.com, Rachel Emma Silverman said that blogs and social networking sites are effective ways to inform young adults and youth about your nonprofit.
Some sites that specialize in social networking are:
• Apps.Facebook.com/causes
• Change.org
• DoSomething.org
• Firstgiving.com
• GiveMeaning.com
• Impact.Myspace.com
• Kiva.org
• SixDegrees.org
Source: A New Generation Reinvents Philanthropy: Blogs, Social-Networking Sites Give 20-Somethings a Means to Push, Fund Favorite Causes; WSJ research
Whether your organization begins a blog, creates a profile on a social network or does both, you will most likely notice increased support. These simple and inexpensive means of communication can create exposure quickly and without too much effort. Become one of the many organizations that communicates with its volunteers directly through starting a blog or social profile.
