Video: How Small and Large Nonprofits Use Social Media - Social Philanthropy. As social networks grow in popularity, nonprofits of all sizes must figure out how they spend their time using them, which networks to focus on, and what skills to hire for. But big groups and small groups often have different approaches to these challenges. Large groups typically have more resources and can give more time to social media. For example, TechSoup Global, which has a staff of about 230, dedicates three full-time employees and four part-time contractors to maintaining its presence on social networks. The group soon plans to use fewer contractors while adding a new full-time employee who will handle live online events, says Susan Tenby, TechSoup’s director of online community. Smaller groups can’t afford such luxuries. Ms. Related live discussion: Social-Media Advice for Small Nonprofits Send an e-mail to Derek Lieu. Return to Top. Tools to Build a Stronger Nonprofit Sector.
Tools to Build a Stronger Nonprofit Sector By Nell Edgington A little over a year ago I started introducing tools on the Social Velocity web site to help nonprofits, who might not be able to afford consulting services, grow their programs, create a financing strategy, revamp their board. I am blown away by how popular these tools have become. I started Social Velocity almost four years ago because I saw a real hole in the nonprofit sector. Small and medium nonprofits working on social change lacked access to expertise and resources to strengthen and grow their solutions. The Teach for Americas of the world were building impressive organizations and replicating their solution far and wide. But they were doing so with the help of deep networks of experts and money. But there are equally impressive solutions housed in much smaller, less resourced nonprofit organizations that aren’t really seeing the light of day.
Our Step-by-Step Guides help a nonprofit to: Five Steps for Winning Conversations With Donors. Laura Fredricks, a fundraising consultant, say she has noticed a disturbing trend. Too often fundraisers use the same formula to seek a gift, whether they are asking for $10,000 or $50,000, instead of tailoring each interaction with a potential donor to the person’s interests and values. That practice wastes time and ensures poor results, she said at the Association of Fundraising Professionals conference, which opened Sunday in Vancouver.
Conversations with donors are too important to use a standard template, Ms. Fredricks said. A guarantee that fundraisers are doing the right thing: They should be a little nervous every time. Otherwise, it’s a sign they are coasting. She offered her five steps to improving conversations with donors: Know exactly what you want. Prepare the conversation. Deliver with confidence. Clarify your results. Plan the next move. Send an e-mail to Cody Switzer. Return to Top. What are nonprofits doing with social media? Six interesting stats. 5 Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2012. 5 Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2012 By Nell Edgington My annual predictions for the coming year are probably a bit more wishful thinking than actual prediction.
It’s hard to say if my predictions for 2011 became a reality for the sector as a whole. But I am ever an optimist and continue to think that the nonprofit sector is getting smarter, more effective, and better able to create real, lasting change in our communities. I truly believe that our challenging economy offers nonprofits a real opportunity to reinvent themselves. So here are my predictions (hopes) for what the nonprofit sector will move towards in 2012: More Open, Engaging Organizations Smart nonprofits are getting better at engaging armies of supporters.
I’m not a fortune teller, but I am an optimist. Photo Credit: riptheskull Learn more about nonprofit innovation anddownload a free Financing Not Fundraising e-book when you sign up for email updatesfrom Social Velocity. How Nonprofits Can Thrive While Awaiting Economic Recovery. How Nonprofits Can Thrive While Awaiting Economic Recovery By Nell Edgington After 3+ years of a difficult recession it looks like the economy might be starting to turn around. That’s great news. But for the nonprofit sector, which is always the first hit by and last to rebound from a recession, it might still be awhile until they enjoy the looming economic recovery. There are some key things nonprofit leaders can do to create a sustainable financial model in the midst of lingering economic uncertainty: Take a Step Back. Things may be looking up, but it’s going to be awhile for the nonprofit sector. Learn more about nonprofit innovation anddownload a free Financing Not Fundraising e-book when you sign up for email updatesfrom Social Velocity.
Tags: case for support, cost of fundraising, fundraiser, nonprofit board of directors, nonprofit donors, nonprofit earned income, nonprofit fundraising, nonprofit fundraising events, nonprofit social media, nonprofit strategic plan. Why I Love Pinterest and Nonprofits Should Too. Why I Love Pinterest and Nonprofits Should Too By Nell Edgington I am far from a social media expert, but I have grown to love some social media tools. Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have been my favorites, while I still haven’t seen the value of Google+ (although if someone wants to convince me, I’m all ears).
But the newest social media darling, Pinterest is fast becoming my favorite. Pinterest is a social media network based on images. For example, I currently have 12 “boards”. There are several things about Pinterest that I love. There have been many articles about the potential of Pinterest for companies. But I think Pinterest is a particularly powerful opportunity for nonprofits for several reasons: Nonprofits are naturally image-based. If you want a quick guide to getting started on Pinterest, check out this great HubSpot post, although it’s focused on businesses, it definitely applies to nonprofits.
Get out there and give Pinterest a try. Photo Credit: Mashable.
Research demostrating impact.