“Can non-profits raise awareness, increase membership, and most critically “make the ask” successfully on Twitter?”
“Can a 140-character message deliver the visceral wallop of, say, heart-wrenching footage of starving children covered in flies or the sad eyes of a neglected and abused animal? The answer is yes.” says Lydia Dishman in an excellent article which recently appeared in Fast Company magazine.
See: Tweet Tweet Ch Ching. Twitter Changing the Way Non Profits May Ask
The article quotes Beth Kanter, a leading not for profit blogger, and author of Beth’s Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media.
Beth says: ”Organizations using Twitter that “take the time to engage supporters in a conversation and get to know them are more likely to build trust. And that trust can turn into raised awareness, support, and ultimately donations for their cause.”
The article mentions one of our favourite causes 12for12K, established by social media strategist Danny Brown. 12for12K seeks to use the power of social media and its global connections to gather support and donations for various charities.
Perhaps call centres requesting donations will soon be relegated to the past, as organisations harness the ability to build relationships via a dialogue with existing and potential donors – whilst also tapping into the good will good will present in social media.
Have you considered using social media to support a cause?
Related references:
Social media for good – Business making a difference using social media: 12for12K
Listening for Nonprofits in a Connected World – a recent presentation from Beth Kanter
View more presentations from Beth Kanter.
[...] In December 2008, Danny Brown and several friends started the 12for12K project . They’ve since raised more than $100K for thirteen different projects and used social media as the key communications tool. A new phase of activity for 12for12K is about to commence. Read more here: Caring Across Continents – 12for12K, and our previous posts about Danny and the project: Social Media for Good – Businesses Making a Difference and More on Non Profits Use of Social Media [...]