Social Fundraising Using Facebook Timeline Apps

Social proof
Social proof is the effect you feel when you see what others you know and respect are doing and the impact it has on you doing the same. This is an important dynamic when it comes to where to have dinner, what shoes to buy, what music to check out, what articles to read and even what causes to donate to. TechCrunch recently published a post that stated, “Learning from friends thru (sic) the social web is likely the killer app of social proof in terms of 1:1 impact.”

The new Timeline apps from Facebook show which of your friends are also using the app. This community effect of friends establishes an endorsement that can positively influence others to jump in and help out.

Multichannel
Multichannel fundraising is increasingly becoming an important theme in how fundraisers use online, mobile and social channels collaboratively. Look for this to gain momentum in 2012, where it’s very likely that we will start seeing Timeline activities generated from mobile and "big browser" devices.

Mobile is already an important factor, with more than 350 million mobile Facebook users. This, combined with the fact that many of the first 60 Facebook Timeline apps also have app counterparts available in the iTunes store and Android market, will serve to accelerate this multichannel trend in fundraising (and in areas outside of fundraising).

There are currently only three Timeline apps focused on serving the nonprofit community. However, the platform is now open for developers everywhere to get to work. There will certainly be a learning curve to understand how to best leverage this new social fundraising opportunity using Timeline apps. But the good news is that the foundation has been established for advancing our sector’s mobile and social activity and results. If you haven’t already, jump on to the Facebook Timeline apps and embrace the learning curve!