Five Ways for Charities to use Social Media   by Janet Gershen-Siegel

in Internet    (submitted 2011-01-20)

Very recently, I came across a great blog post on five possible uses for social media for charities.

While I think that these were all rather good ideas (the Twitter Twibbon was one of them, which is similar to wearing a pink ribbon or a Livestrong yellow rubber bracelet), I suspect that charities could go even further. After all, much of social media is absolutely free. And free is one of charities' favorite words (along with cure, and donation, I suppose).

For one thing, how about using Facebook and LinkedIn to promote charitable events? While these RSVPs are often unreliable (a yes often really means maybe, a maybe means "I might get to it if nothing better comes along" but at least no still seems to mean no), this could be a creative way to get the word out.

Or what about keeping donors informed of totals by tweeting that information? E. g. if a $1,000,000 donation total is desired, how 'bout keeping donors informed on how it's going by using Twitter and tweeting about it regularly? This would be used in place of an old thermometer bar, with, possibly, regular tweets every hour or every time the number jumped by some significant amount.

Could volunteers check in with foursquare and get badges? Uh, why not? I'd love a blood donation badge. So long as it wouldn't be an emergency situation (you don't want Red Cross volunteers checking in while racing to help flood victims or anything like that -- no disparagement to the fine volunteers is intended, of course), well, why the heck not?

I am sure that there are plenty more where that came from. Do you have any ideas of how charities could possibly effectively use social media? Toss 'em here, if you like.

For more information, see the December 30, 2010 blog post on Social Media Today.

About the Author

Janet Gershen-Siegel is a Social Media Specialist and serious weight loser (over 140 lbs. and counting). Visit today for social media marketing information or for weight loss inspiration. Visit her social media blog today for more information.