May 29, 2009
When your nonprofit puts on an event, you might want to keep a video camera on hand. If things are going well and people are giving you compliments, why not get a video testimonial that you can later post on YouTube You can even embed the video in your blog. Then you can put out a Twitter alert that tells people what you’ve posted and where to look for it.
Capture the priceless moments on video and share them with your supporters
The key is being able to capture the spontaneity of a moment. If people are excited about what you do, then why not share it with everyone. Social media can make that possible. You can do a normal write up of the event and then add some video testimonials.
You can speak to volunteers, staff members, board members, and other community leaders. Just remember that if you talk to a minor, you need to make sure it’s with the permission of a parent.
You’re doing the same thing that TV reporter or a pricey public relations firm. Only you’re keeping tight control of your message. In this economy, that’s a smart move.
Additional Resources:
9 Comments | 
blog, nonprofit fundraising, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, youtube | Tagged: blog, communication, facebook, in this economy, ken okel, marketing, nonprofit, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, twitter, youtube | 
Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 27, 2009
Is your nonprofit the best kept secret in town? Here’s your chance to learn how to use social media tools like blogs, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to put your organization on the map.
In this call you’ll learn how social marketing can work for you, how to avoid making costly mistakes, and how to keep a consistent flow of updates reaching your supporters. You’ve asked these questions and you’ll get the answers. In this economy, you need to take advantage of these free tools to reach your supporters.
Teleseminar: Social Media for Nonprofits
1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Tuesday, June 2nd
Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 432-0111
Participant Access Code: 129074#
The call is free, however you are responsible for paying any normal long distance charges.
There are a limited number of spaces available for this call and it is expected to fill up fast. There’s no registration. You may want to call in a few minutes early to ensure a spot. To submit a question, email tvguy@kenokel.com
Additional Resources
Leave a Comment » | blog, nonprofit fundraising, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, youtube | Tagged: blog, communication, facebook, in this economy, ken okel, marketing, media, nonprofit, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, twitter, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 27, 2009
See your organization in a new light.
I tell my clients that if they have an event and no one takes any pictures, then the event really didn’t happen.
As a nonprofit, it’s critical that you take your supporters into your organization and pictures can make that happen. Make sure that someone always has a camera. If no one does, then use a cell phone camera to capture your Kodak moments.
Take pictures of special events but also snap some shots of daily life in your organization. Some say, “But our office looks dirty.” This probably means that you need to do some cleaning ASAP. Show me what you do and who are the people who make it happen.
After you’ve taken the pictures you can:
- Post them on your blog and/or your Facebook page.
- Create a YouTube video from the still shots and add some music to it.
- Email copies to your valued supporters.
- Post a Twitter message letting people know that you’ve just posted pictures and include the link where they can be found.
Far too often I see someone take a lot of shots at an event and it takes months for them to be shared. If you’ve got a good picture, then there’s no excuse not to upload them to your blog, no latter than the next day.
If no one in your organization has a digital camera, see if any of your supporters would be willing to donate one. Digital cameras are updated a lot and last year’s model may be collecting dust in someone’s closet.
Additional Resources: Engage Your Lapsed Donors With Social Media
1 Comment | blog, nonprofit fundraising, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, Uncategorized, youtube | Tagged: blog, communication, facebook, ken okel, marketing, nonprofit, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, twitter, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 26, 2009
What’s the question people always have about your organization? Does it involve a level of uncertainty that might make some not give to your nonprofit if they’re unsure about the answer?
With social media you can be proactive in this situation. Write the answer to the question on your blog. You can then link this blog to your Facebook page.
You can even record a YouTube clip where you answer the question. While you’re at it, why don’t you do a “Question of the Week/Month” feature. You can invite your supporters to submit questions. Then you can post the links to the responses on your Twitter feed. Suddenly, you know what’s on the minds of your supporters.
Now, with social networking, you’ve educated your donors and reinforced their decision to support you. Use social media to take control of potentially sticky situations. In this economy, it’s an inexpensive way to protect your nonprofit’s future.
Additional Resources:
Other Blog Ideas
You Need a Blog Team
How Often Should I Blog?
1 Comment | blog, nonprofit fundraising, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, youtube | Tagged: blog, communication, facebook, in this economy, ken okel, link, marketing, media, nonprofit, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, twitter, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 25, 2009
By all mean keep sending press releases to TV stations and newspapers. But don’t expect the same response you’ve had in the past.
Use social media to overcome the limitations of traditional media.
The media world has been hit hard by the recession. As a result, a lot there have been a lot of layoffs. Fewer stories are being covered. And sometimes, coverage amounts to little more than the first three lines of your press release being printed verbatim. And the story might be buried in a section that no one reads.
In the past you may have worked with a reporter who only covered the nonprofit world. Their level of experience helped you get ongoing and accurate coverage. Now you’re likely dealing with someone who is fresh out of college, a product of “hire cheap” corporate mentalities. He or she may not fully understand how the nonprofit world works and that could result in some bad publicity.
These are reasons why, in this economy, it’s so important that you use social media to connect your nonprofit with the community. Tools like blogs, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter give you the ability to send out your message whenever you want. You also have complete control over the content.
Speed, accuracy, and inexpensive distribution are all present in social marketing. Don’t solely rely on coverage from industries that couldn’t or wouldn’t predict the impact of the Internet.
Additional Resources: Watch the two short video clips on the Think Differently page of this website.
Leave a Comment » | blog, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, Uncategorized, youtube | Tagged: blog, communication, economy, facebook, in this economy, ken okel, marketing, media, nonprofit, press release, recession, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, twitter, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 22, 2009
As a nonprofit you want social media to help you change your community for the better. It’s important to inform through your blog, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter accounts. But you need to make sure that in your social marketing you’re delivering a call to action as well.
Think about your message. You’re telling people something but is there something that you want or need them to do? For instance, have you talked about the success of a volunteer event? At the end of the post, you need to put out a call for more volunteers. You could say something like, “To be a part of future events like this one, contact….” or “This was a fantastic event but we could make it even better with more volunteers. Please join us next time for a day you won’t forget. Contact…”
You want to always give your supporters a next step that they can take. It can be simple as telling them to please pass on the message to someone else who might appreciate it. In this economy, you can’t afford to miss a chance to engage as many people as possible.
This is a great way to get the attention of your donors and make them feel needed. You don’t want to just give good news that makes them think that you’ve accomplished everything you’d ever want to do. Instead, you want to always point to a stronger tomorrow, which you can achieve with their help.
Additional resources: Another Blog Idea
1 Comment | blog, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, Uncategorized, youtube | Tagged: blog, communication, facebook, in this economy, ken okel, marketing, nonprofit, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, twitter, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 21, 2009
When you set up your social media presence, you’ll need to select a user name for sites like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. This name is how you’ll be listed on those sites so think carefully before you pick one, especially since once you make your choice, you usually can’t change it.
It’s also good to have the same name for all of the social marketing platforms. That way it’s easier for your supporters to remember.
Make sure the user name is something that is easily remembered and easy to find online. A lot of organizations use their actual name. This can be a bit tricky if it’s long or if there’s a word in it that’s hard to spell.
In these cases you may want to go with your group’s initials, especially is they are commonly used. For example, the National Speakers Association is often referred to as NSA. Members use the terms interchangeably so there’s no confusion.
Others prefer to substitute part of a slogan or mission statement. You want this to be something short and recognizable. Remember, you want to make sure that your username can be easily found by people who are looking for you.
Leave a Comment » | blog, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, Uncategorized, youtube | Tagged: communication, facebook, ken okel, marketing, nonprofit, nonrpofits, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, twitter, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 20, 2009
Don’t let technical intimidation keep you from using YouTube as a social media tool. As a TV news veteran, I know some easy tricks that can help you boost your video’s production values.
Try to keep the camera as stable as possible. The easiest way to do this is with an inexpensive tripod, which cost about $15. Another is to hold the camera close to your body so you naturally stabilize it. I’ve also used desks, shelves, and chairs as a flat surface where the camcorder can be balanced. Also keep in mind that the more you are zoomed in, the more any movement will make the picture shake. The more stable your image, the easier it is for your viewer to watch.
When you shoot your video, keep in mind where it will be seen. A YouTube screen is much smaller than a TV set. Avoid wide body shots as the person will look really small on the web. I suggest copying many of the camera shots you see on the news where the anchor is captured from the shoulders up. Play around some before you officially start shooting your video to see how things look.
You need to also be aware of audio quality. You’ll likely be using the camera’s microphone. Remember the further away the camera is from the subject the harder it will be to hear them. You’ll also hear more ambient noise and possibly echoes from the room. Stay close for the best sound.
5 Comments | Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, youtube | Tagged: ken okel, marketing, nonprofit, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 19, 2009
Social media opens the door to two way communication between an organization and its followers. Some nonprofit leaders I’ve talked to are worried about having an open door that could lead to negative comments being posted on their blog, Facebook, and YouTube pages. This fear keeps many from jumping into social marketing, which is too bad as the fear is largely nonexistent.
Whatever social media site you’re using, as the administrator, you can create restrictions on comments. You can have it set up so that a comment doesn’t appear until you’ve reviewed and approved it. This allows you to get rid of bogus comments like, “Love your site. Visit my site to learn more about male enhancement.” And as newspapers do, you can edit comments so they are shorter.
What should you do if you receive a legitimate but negative comment? I say, post it and then respond to it. As a nonprofit, you want to create an ongoing dialogue with your followers. Sometimes that may mean, acknowledging some of the shortcomings of your organization. I’ve known donors who give thousands of dollars to groups they’re not 100% happy with. They’ll keep giving, if they know their concerns are being heard.
Finally, consider having part of your post include a request to your readers/viewers to make comments. It’s a great way to get some feedback from the community.
Leave a Comment » | blog, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook, youtube | Tagged: blog, communication, facebook, ken okel, marketing, nonprofit, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking, youtube | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
May 18, 2009
When it comes to social media, as a nonprofit, you can’t afford to be shy or modest.
For your next blog post, I want you to talk about the best kept secret in your organization. By this I mean, what is something that people are always amazed to hear but don’t know about? Every organization has one of these. It could be about a program, an outcome, or the overall need for services. Your mission is to get the word out and increase the “wow factor” about your organization.
For an agency that helps homeless families, the shared information was the fact that the average age of a homeless person is 10 years old. That kind of information stops people in their tracks, makes them listen, and hopefully donate to the cause. This fact existed in a report and was shared within the organization but had never been widely discussed.
When you work at a nonprofit, it’s easy to take certain situations for granted because you deal with them every day or try to protect the public from certain hard-hitting facts. Resist that urge. Social media allows you to take people deeper into your organization than traditional media. That immediacy helps build stronger relationships with donors.
3 Comments | blog, Social Media for nonprofits, Social Media for nonprofits who want to use twitter, youtube and facebook | Tagged: blog, communication, ken okel, marketing, nonprofit, social, Social Media for nonprofits, social networking | Permalink
Posted by Ken Okel
