Social Media

November 3, 2009, The Huffington Post — In case you haven't noticed, Twitter has made headlines recently as a platform for passionate people to effect social change.

With the global number of users on Facebook now fast approaching the size of the U.S. population, it’s surely clear that time is up for anyone who still wants to ignore online social networking as a passing fad. However, while nonprofits now generally recognize the need to take it very seriously, most still struggle to understand how they can best fit it into their fundraising programs.

Even if your nonprofit isn't currently focused on online fundraising, you've probably heard some buzz about the brave new world of fundraising in social media. Don't get me wrong; no one is about to ditch traditional fundraising and put all of her eggs in the Twitter basket. But if direct mail, e-mail and other proven fundraising tactics are still the bread and butter of the nonprofit world, social media has served up some exciting dessert options.

October 21, 2009 — Some 19% of internet users now say they use Twitter or another service to share updates about themselves, or to see updates about others. This represents a significant increase over previous surveys in December 2008 and April 2009, when 11% of internet users said they use a status-update service.

AUSTIN, Texas, October 28, 2009 — Sage North America today announced the results of its recently conducted social media survey for nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada. One of the most interesting findings: 91% of respondents raise funds online, but only 58 percent of those nonprofits using social media cite fundraising as a goal for using it. “Sharing our story,” building a community, public relations, and donor engagement/retention – not raising funds – were listed as the nonprofits’ top reasons for engaging in social media.

Blogs are a good way for nonprofits to expand their reach and communicate more directly with supporters and their community. But where do you start?

In August, TechSoup sponsored the webinar "Introduction to Blogging for Nonprofits and Libraries," in which presenters Allyson Kapin, blogger for Care2's blog Frogloop, and Jason Griffey, co-author of the book "Library Blogging," discussed the basics of getting started with a blog, covering how much staff time to devote to it, who should blog and which tools to use, and offering best practices.

Cary, NC, October 20, 2009 —  Brand-X-Press has just released a line of viral social media content for nonprofits. Providing engaging social media content is the key to building relationships and educating constituents. Brand-X-Press (BXP) creates customized games, animated public service announcements and virtual gifts designed to raise funds and awareness throughout social media channels.

BOSTON, October 20, 2009 — Almost 80 percent (78%) of new media users interact with companies or brands via new media sites and tools, an increase of 32 percent from 2008 (59%). And, the frequency of interaction is increasing, too, with more than a third (37%) of users engaging companies or brands via new media at least once per week (up from one-in-four last year). These are among the findings of the 2009 Cone Consumer New Media Study, which explores consumers` interactions with brands, their engagement with corporate responsibility practices and their support of social and environmental issues.

SAN FRANCISCO, October 15, 2009, Associated Press — Everyone likes a wine with character. How about one with 140 of them?

October 12, 2009, The Wall Street Journal — Email has had a good run as king of communications. But its reign is over.