Archive for the ‘Non-profits’ Category

Facebook Fan Page or Group Page – You Choose

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

By Sharon Hill

No really, you need to choose.  Recently we were working with a university on a local alumni club’s new Facebook page and it was decided to go with a Fan Page.  The page looked great, the first event was posted and a discussion started.

By going with a Fan Page, we had several other choices to make:
Local
Business
Artist, Band, or Public Figure

Focusing first on Local, we had 26 business categories from auto to travel including Club in which to choose.

Moving onto Business, we had 24 business categories from something very generic such as Products all the way to Websites including Non-Profit.

If we had selected local, the information tab would include street address and hours open for business.  This would not work for our alumni club at all.  Business worked fine or so we thought.

Now that we were ready to have our new Facebook Fan Page link placed on the university alumni club page, we realized most of the other clubs had selected Groups rather a Fan Page. As we had just started and had not announced our new Facebook presence we decided to investigate.

Groups are the same and different from Fan Pages

Group Type drop down box includes 10 selections, two of which would fit:  Organizations and Student Groups.  Selecting Organizations, we have these choices:  Academic Organizations, Clubs & Societies or Non-Profit Organizations
Group Choices in Facebook

Student Groups look like this:

Group Selections in Facebook

Most obvious choices would be Alumni Groups or Clubs and Societies. Most of the other Facebook alumni clubs had selection Organizations and Clubs and Societies.  For consistency purposes, we made the same choice.

So what are the other advantages specific to our example choosing Groups over a Fan Page?

There is a place to list Officers and most Clubs have Officers.  You can Message all Members and invite people to join.

Here again is the difference between Fan Page and Group Pages.  For Fan Pages you may suggest the Fan Page to Friends and only to Friends.

With Groups when you invite people to join you can invite people by email.  You can invite folks to join your group even if they do not currently have a Facebook profile (they will need to create one).

These are just a few of the differences between Groups and Fan Pages.  Be aware that you cannot change from one or the other.  The only way to change from a Fan Page to a Group or a Group to a Fan Page is to start over. Choose wisely.
@social_dynamics

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Posted in Articles, Facebook, Non-profits, Technical | No Comments »

How Social Media is Influencing Employee Networking

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

By the Social Media Dynamics Team

Employee groups are springing up all over the Internet particularly in Facebook and LinkedIn.  There are the traditional reasons of connecting with former employees of course, griping and such, but there are ways that these employee groups are making contributions to society and each other.

Fundraising efforts, helping someone who is sick or someone with a sick family member.  Your company may frown on selling Girl Scout cookies for your kid using regular company channels, but now you can reach all the employees in the company that have joined Facebook and take some orders!

Sharing good news, sharing bad news, caring about those in need.  Social media makes it easier.

More articles on Social Media’s Influence:

How Social Media is Influencing the Real Estate Industry

How Social Media is Influencing the Court System

How Social Media is Influencing the Jury Selection Process

How Social Media is Influencing Local Politics

@social_ dynamics

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Posted in Articles, Facebook, Non-profits, Social Media and Social Networking | No Comments »

Why Social Media Works for Communities – Using Facebook – Part 6 of 6

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

By Sharon Hill

  • Does your neighborhood or community have a website?  How about email blasts?
  • Is there one person in charge of keeping it updated?
  • Is it totally public on the internet?
  • Are there concerns about placing too much information regarding neighborhood and individual neighbor events?
  • Do the residents want a way to communicate with each other about neighborhood issues?
  • How about garage sales and events not sponsored by the neighborhood association but interesting to the residents?

I live in this neighborhood and I am our volunteer webmaster.  I understand the limitations of a website, especially the technical side of keeping it updated and fresh.  I also don’t want to be the editorial police of the website so we limit the content to issues that concern the neighborhood as a whole as compared to individuals.

Facebook is a perfect solution in addition to a public website.  Here’s why:

  1. You do not need one person in charge of keeping the Facebook group page updated.  You will need to have administrator or two.
  2. You can limit the access to the group to your neighborhood easily.  Members only.  Someone will be responsible for screening requests to join

When you create a group, you can completely control its privacy. There are three different access  levels:

Open:   For “global” groups, everyone on Facebook can view the group and join. If the group is exclusive to a specific network, only the people in that network can view the group or join it. All content (e.g., photos, videos and discussions) is visible to anyone viewing the group.

Closed: For “global” groups, everyone on Facebook can see the group, but the administrators must approve all membership requests or personally send invitations. If the group is exclusive to one network, only people in that network can view the group or join it. Only group members can view its Wall, discussion board, and photo or video content. Non-members can view its Info and Recent News. If you are not a member, you will not receive stories about closed groups.

Secret: These groups cannot be found in searches or be viewed by non-members. The name of the group will not display on the profiles of members. Membership is by invitation only. Non-members will not receive stories about secret groups.

Group administrators can change these options at any time by clicking “Edit Group” below the group photo.

3.    Residents can post their garage sales, events of interest in the neighborhood and share referrals for having work done such as tree trimming or remodeling on the Wall.
4.    Volunteerism can have a prominent place in your Facebook community.
5.    Residents will police themselves.

The best part about your Facebook Community page is when someone complains, the administrator recruits!

Here is what a Facebook group page will look like:

facebook-community-page1

Look what you can do:

  • List events in neighborhood and community
  • Link to outside websites such a city services
  • Post photos and videos of  events, yard of the of the month and recognition of volunteers
  • Provide information about the association, whom to contact, history and etiquette
  • Discussions threads can be about volunteerism, crime, referrals and events where neighbors can share ideas and take action

Setup of the page will be initially required and monitoring by the officers/administrators.

A Facebook group page does not replace a website. A Facebook group page provides an easy and everyone-can-do-it-way for neighbors to connect real time about real issues and opportunities in their neighborhood.

Oh and you know it is free right?

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Posted in Articles, Email, Facebook, Non-profits, Social Media and Social Networking, Technical, Websites | No Comments »

Why Social Media Works for Non-Profits Part 4 of 6

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

By Karen Miller

Non-profits encompass a variety of organizations from the arts (museums, symphonies, operas, theaters, etc.) to cause-related (American Heart Association, Humane Society, etc) to religious groups (churches, temples) and then some. The one thing most of them have in common is a need to stretch their budget. Social Media can help stretch that budget. But just how would non-profits best use it? Let’s look at some ideas:

Blogging allows you to expand on what is happening with your group. An arts group can use a blog to explain more about programs, discoveries, exhibits and how they will help, benefit or entertain their audience. A museum can also talk about the steps that were undertaken to bring in a new exhibit, why you are doing what you are doing and what it will mean to the community. Cause-related health groups can speak to new discoveries or about testing that is going on and what they hope will be accomplished with the new tests.

LinkedIn gives your non-profit a presence in yet another place to expand on your goals and even your needs. Using your own links to others you can look for companies who could perhaps become an underwriter for you. A non-profit can also link in any articles written by them or about them on their profile.

Facebook can become a treasure trove for any non-profit. As you add fans to your page, they will comment and promote the things you are doing whether it is your latest production or exhibit or your fund-raising efforts (walks, runs, auctions, etc). Your fans can create excitement for any upcoming event. You can  offer tickets, post pictures, add a video commentary or tour and get immediate feedback from your fans. As a non-profit you can have interaction with those who use your services, attend your functions or need information. You can ask them for suggestions and comments. It’s a wonderful way to keep the public informed.

Twitter provides a way for you to communicate immediately with the public. You can send information on ticket availability, remind people of an event or direct them to an article, blog, your Facebook page or website. You can tweet a thought for the day, a fact about your non-profit, an update on fund-raising or any other fact that is pertinent you and your followers.

These are just a few suggestions on how a non-profit can use social media. There are other places too – YouTube, Wikipedia, flickr, digg and a boatload more. Be creative and do some homework. At this point in time, these are free or almost free. The biggest cost will be in personnel and time. A non-profit (or any business) needs to have one or two dedicated people to keep up with the social media sites. You can always have more than one person participate in tweeting or updating your Facebook page – different voices provide different points of view. Of course, the more you use social media, the easier it becomes and the less time involved. But it does require time and personnel and that needs to be considered. Start with one or two areas and expand as you get more familiar with how it all works. There are plenty of places and people on line who can answer questions and help you get started.

@social_dynamics

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Posted in Articles, Blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn, Non-profits, Social Media and Social Networking, Twitter, Video | 1 Comment »

Why Social Media Works – Part 1 of 6

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

By Sharon Hill

Over the next week on a daily basis we will be posting a six part series.

Why Social Media Works – Part 1
Why Social Media Works For Local Business – Part 2
Why Social Media Works for Direct Response Marketers – Part 3
Why Social Media Works for Non-Profits – Part 4
Why Social Media Works for Recruiters – Part 5
Why Social Media Works for Communities – Part 6

Social media works because it works differently than media.  Wait a minute isn’t social media media?  As an advertising professional of many years, I would say no in the traditional sense or term.  When reading the definition of media it is to store, transmit, receive or deliver some form of communication.  Technically that description fits.  I can transmit a tweet, deliver it to my followers and receive a tweet from those I follow and store all of it.

So what about networking?  Definitions include an interconnected system of things or people and to communicate with and within a group.

So what makes social media different from traditional media?  Social media truly engages one-by-one. Traditional media (print/television/radio/magazines, etc.)  transmit their message and while it is delivered over the air or on your front porch and  therefore received, the biggest question has always been how many are paying attention?

I do subscribe to the local paper and I read it most everyday.  I only read certain sections or columns (ok the comics too). I don’t engage.  I don’t connect.  I don’t communicate.  This is still a one-sided relationship.  Sure I could write to the paper or go online and post a comment and many do. Newspaper is closer to social media than some of the other traditional media vehicles.

Radio talk shows have been around forever and maybe were the first forum for social networking.  Find a talk show host you like (or extremely dislike), listen and call in to be heard.  Some callers are first timers and others are daily or weekly folks.  Even closer to the concept of social media.

By now, I would assume you understand where I am taking you so we need not discuss television or magazines.

So how does social media work?  It is completely opposite to traditional media.  Traditional media defines targets: Adults 18-49, Households with incomes of certain amounts.  Households with pets.  These messages are then transmitted to these targets.  Social media starts with the target.  They decide to visit your Facebook fan page, they decide to follow you on Twitter, they decide to join certain groups on LinkedIn because they are interested in what you have to say.  They want to connect.  They want to be heard.  They put forth the effort.

Social media encompasses the best of old world one-on-one conversations and referrals with new technology to make it easier and wider spread.  Social media is the handshake that traditional media has been missing.  It is personal and intimate. This is what advertisers and marketers have dreamed about for decades.  We must think differently.  Rather than talk, we need to listen.  Provide the social media platforms for your company and then participate yourself.

That is Why Social Media Works.

@social_dynamics

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Posted in Articles, Blogging, Direct Response, Email, Facebook, Industry Specific, LinkedIn, Local business, Non-profits, Real Estate, Recruitment, Social Media and Social Networking, Technical, Twitter, Video, Websites | No Comments »

What’s a Non-Profit To Do?

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

By Karen Miller

Lack of money? Lack of manpower? Does this sound familiar? What’s a non-profit to do? How can you stretch your marketing dollars to reach the most amount of people?A social networking presence can make your marketing budget go farther than you thought it could. A website and/or Facebook page can let people know what you are up to. A museum can promote their latest exhibition or anything special going on in the museum. A charity can talk about their latest goals or research or whatever their concerns are.

Adding twitter can give you instant communication with your followers. You can remind people to sign up for the latest charity race or whatever your current drive is. You can use twitter to give out the “fact of the day.” This can be about anything you specialize in.

A big component of your social media can be blogging. This is an optimum way to let everyone know more information about your non-profit. Blogging gives you “more space” to talk about yourself. If you are a museum, you can give more details on your special exhibitions, perhaps talking about the background of the exhibition and the special precautions of moving it from one place to another. You can have a weekly blog talking about the setting up of the new exhibition creating excitement. If you are a medical charity, blogging about the latest developments in your field can help bring awareness to what your charity has done and what still needs to be done.

Whatever social media you decide to use, make sure it all is synchronized and all of your information is the same – your look is the same, your message is the same – from one medium to the other. You want to have a cohesive message throughout.

Using social media will help your marketing dollars go further and expand your marketing base.

@social_dynamics

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Posted in Articles, Blogging, Facebook, Industry Specific, Non-profits, Social Media and Social Networking, Twitter, Websites | 1 Comment »

Getting Started: Planning Your Social Media Strategy

Monday, July 27th, 2009

By Jan Carroza

Think about this process as developing your own Social Sphere of Influence. Take the aerial view of your business today and where you want it to go in the near future and in the long-term. What are your goals?

Not all elements may be appropriate for your business and you need not tackle every facet all at once. Even pros like Mari Smith, a renowned maven in Facebook, suggest that embracing manageable efforts in sequence might be best for many of us. Dani Babb on Fox Business suggested just getting started and that you may make mistakes along the way.

The idea is to do some planning. You may want to outsource your online business management at the beginning when the setup is more labor intensive and while you learn. Gradually you can take it over as you are able to accommodate the requirements of time and resources in your organization. Or you may decide to continue with outside guidance as the Social Sphere expands.  For example, I heard that Comcast has doubled their social media staff from about 7 to 14-15 in the last year. Prepare for success.

Speaking of success, you might like to know about some real results before we get started.  “The world’s most valuable brands. Who’s most engaged?,”  a study prepared by Wetpaint and Altimeter, demonstrated that revenues increased by 18% by using social media (http://www.engagementdb.com).

So let’s get started. Make a list of what you want and need your Social Sphere of Influence to do for you. What does that list look like?

Consumer connection  – Is that:

  • Retention
  • Finding new consumers
  • Education
  • Building relationships
  • Getting feedback from consumers
  • Increasing sales

Other Initiatives

  • Finding, talking to investors
  • Introducing new products, new services

What else do you need to do?

Some of the forms beyond your website that you can put in your Social Sphere might include:

  • Blogs
  • White papers, articles, newsletters
  • Social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and an ever-growing list of large and niche networks

Each choice offers different opportunities. Each offers the possibilities to have different as well as several voices. Formats can be intriguing. Twitter’s short format can be challenging. Each has its own place and may or may not fit with your plan. Any and all can be viral. So a good consumer experience has an excellent chance of being shared.

Take blogs, for instance. Blogs can look like a website with the look and feel, navigation and sections for Services, About, Contact et al. The difference should be the immediacy of news that’s regularly updated from once a month to once a week. This is the Podium point-of-view. Your voice.  Representing your company’s voice.

But the blog can be opened up to receive comments from readers, consumers, and the entire Spheriverse. Now it becomes a two-way superhighway of discussion, feedback and response to that feedback. An ongoing conversation. This has the power to be exponentially expansive and rewarding – for both your business and your consumer.

Articles, white papers, press releases, and newsletters are also a way to put out your voice, your opinions, and your announcements. But your website and all the parts of your Social Sphere will bring conversation back to you. It’s your job to plan the management of receiving and responding to those messages.

The social media each have their own channel of audience to offer. LinkedIn has professionals and folks looking to hire and be hired. There are groups to join to begin conversations. You can seek out and make important connections with people looking for answers.

Consumers are everywhere in all the social spaces. Your approach to each will probably be a little different with each one. Certainly the confinement and environment of the formats and technologies of each will impact the messages that you design.

As time goes on, no doubt the Spheriverse will continue to expand at a rapid pace of cyberspeed. Choices will increase. But the concept of the two-way dialogue remains constant. The challenge is in managing the communications most effectively. Enjoy and grow with the movement.

@social_dynamics

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Posted in Articles, Blogging, Direct Response, Facebook, LinkedIn, Local business, Non-profits, Real Estate, Recruitment, Social Media and Social Networking, Technical, Twitter, Video, Websites | 3 Comments »

Dynamics of Social Networking

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Social – Meet and interact with others in a friendly way
Media – Shared Communications
Dynamics – Driving or energizing force involved in social change

By Sharon Hill

I am the volunteer webmaster for our neighborhood association of around 600 homes. I receive all kinds of suggestions about improving the website including some that involve social networking.

Neighborhood associations are very similar to social networking. You create a group of individuals with similar goals and interests who want to be kept up-to-date on relevant events. Mostly it is in a friendly way. We have a 4th of July parade, egg hunts, holiday tree lighting and other events that are face-to-face interactions.

We share communications in our neighborhood through our printed newsletter, printed directory, our website and email blasts. Neighbors can sign up for the email list. We also have neighborhood meetings at the local school and post signs in the neighborhood for upcoming events.

We have changed the dynamics in our neighborhood through volunteerism. Recently a Seniors Group has been formed to honor and assist seniors in our neighborhood. We have a Pet program to help in finding lost pets and in finding homes for pets. Teens can earn service hours and credits.

I can see the next steps will be Twitter and blogging. Twitter will be a great addition for short updates and reminders for our neighborhood regarding events, dues and the like.

Blogging will be more challenging. Not everything is suitable and not everyone is a good writer. We will have to watch for those who just want to rant in the neighborhood blog. It will also be a great way to involve more people in the neighborhood and give them a voice. I am looking forward to the challenge.

@social_dynamics

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Posted in Articles, Blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn, Local business, Non-profits, Social Media and Social Networking, Twitter | No Comments »