Social Media is being discussed everywhere on the Internet. The discussion primarily has been centered on marketing, so it’s been labeled social media marketing. But not a lot is discussed about social media marketing for nonprofits. When nonprofits are being discussed it is more along the lines of cause marketing for donations.
Writing a blog for a nonprofit will help to bring a new dimension that opens up the world of social media marketing and relationship building. Keeping donors and volunteers involved and active is healthy for the nonprofit organization.
The blog acts as a communication device to allow board members, officers and staff a means to discuss ideas with the grassroots portion of the organization before implementing new programs or projects. This interaction is the new dimension of blogging.
What is Social Media Marketing for Nonprofits
In a previous article entitled “Are Nonprofits Using Twitter” social media was defined as “an individual communicating with a group through a devise that stores or communicates that interaction to other groups and individuals.” Taking that thought a bit further to include marketing, it becomes a primary network that spreads the message of a product, service or cause to individuals and the groups they represent.
This enables social media marketing for nonprofits to enlarge their territory, get the message out to other nonprofits that might be interested in collaboration and to raise awareness in the global, national, or regional arenas as to the specific mission of the nonprofit’s cause. A rather distant form of cause marketing for donations it links a specific cause with the organization allowing donations to flow globally through social media sites.
What Areas Does Social Media Marketing for Nonprofits Cover
When social media marketing is discussed it is in the context of blogs, micro-blogs, social media networks, and book-marking sites. There is a method behind how these different social media sites work as well as a strategy to using them together.
The technology behind social media sites is changing rapidly. Technology helps nonprofit's be more effective allowing the users to get a return on time spent or money invested.
How Blogs Interact With Volunteers
Blogs are a form of online newsletters. They take on a one-to-one conversation and feel. Unlike a newsletter it becomes a digital discourse that the reader engages in with the blogger. Opinions are then formed that is shared with the group. What makes the blog different is that it extends a running commentary as to the experiences and opinions of all the readers.
It allows for a freedom of thought that challenges the blogger and readers alike. Blogs become a source of creative synergy that are linked to present or historical thinking. If those thoughts are flawed the blog will sort it out and make a determination with the readers as to the correction necessary.
Blogs breakdown complex subjects in everyday language to allow readers to understand the underlying reasons for unfamiliar subjects. This stretches everyone to comprehend difficult questions and situations that have an adverse effect on those closest to the issues.
Writing a Blog for a Nonprofit
Write a blog for a nonprofit with the donor or volunteer in mind. What is in it for them? What can they learn from a nonprofit's blog?
Make the content valuable to the donor or volunteer by posting book reviews, articles, interviews and whats happening at the nonprofit. Post about needs and setbacks as well.
Take surveys and ask specific questions of this audience of readers.This promotes interaction and engagement with the readers. Readers need to be nudged to break the ice and add their comments. Also read these comments with an open mind focusing on whats best for the nonprofit organization as well as charting new territory for the blog to explore.
Quick Tips to Writing a Blog:
- Keep
- i>
- Peop
- g headers to help the audience find what they want is huge in keeping them loyal and coming back.
- Prov
- articles and other blogs of like subject matter.
- Usin
- or the content helps new potential donors and volunteers find the blog and ultimately the nonprofits cause through search engine placement.
- Reme
- d respond appropriately.
- Enco
- teract by asking questions directed at the readers.
For more on starting a blog go to 2 Create A Website . Lisa’s website will give lots of do’s and don’ts to get started and she has a great blog to ask questions.
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