Social Media for Fundraisers

Web Based Fund Raising

Social Media Tactics and ConceptsKara Kane, Medaille College

PRSA – February 2009AJ Dicembre: BuffaloMe.comKevin Lim: UB and theory.isthereason.com

Kara Kane: Medaille College

Intro

. . . Internet- and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings. . . activities that integrate technology, telecommunications and social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio. . .

From Wikipedia 4/21/09

What is Social Media?

Social Media in Plain English

Transferring data back and forth, and back again.

Dependent on who, what, where, when, why, how, and how much.

Sounds similar to “The Right Ask”: ◦ Prospect◦ Solicitor◦ Gift Amount◦ Project and Purpose◦ Timing

What is Communication?

Feedback and Assessment Are you doing what you set out to do? How can you do a better job? What does “better” mean?

Critical Elements for Communication & Fund Raising

If you◦don't know your strategy and long-term goals . . .

◦don't understand your audience . . ◦can't extend traditional concepts of fundraising into new and emerging media . . .

◦can’t tolerate any semblance of ambiguity or risk. . .

Is Social Media Right for my Fund Raising Operation?

If you◦don't know your strategy and long-term goals . . . NO

◦don't understand your audience . . . NOT NOW

◦can't extend traditional concepts of fundraising into new and emerging media . . . NOPE

◦can’t tolerate any semblance of ambiguity or risk. . . MAYBE NEVER

Then the answers are:

If you are willing to take a few risks and try things to see what works. . .

Social Media will help you.

However -

Obamarama

Twitter War

This week (on 4/21): $1,905,450.00 lent. 1 loan every 11 seconds. In a week. That’s pretty cool.

Kiva.org

how you distribute information and gather feedback.

Evaluate

habitually develop and disseminate chunks of information.◦ News◦ Events◦ Commentary◦ Pictures

Be chunky

manage your brand and your reputation, relentlessly .

Buffalo News vs.Rochester D&C

Stake your claim

Be shrewd

develop a constant stream of relevant content that is compelling to your audience.

Build an audience

there is no one-size-fits-all approach to using social media.

Find a mix

◦Group Pages◦Fan Pages◦Advertising◦“Causes” Application

Options that you can explore today

Email: [email protected] Twitter @karakane Watch Medaille’s Social Media Efforts:

◦ alumni.medaille.edu◦ Facebook: Medaille College Alumni Group◦ Twitter @medaille◦ LinkedIn◦ Del.icio.us◦ Feedburner

◦ Some images taken from Google Image Search; contact me for citations

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