The last three months have been exciting and daunting at the same time as I have tried to enter the twitterverse with our cause OperationSAFE. Most non-profits (certainly us) are not well-known or well-funded and don’t have a lot of time or resources to throw at online social media, and yet the potential for social media to help raise awareness and garner support is too appealing not to get involved. So many smaller causes are jumping in and this is where you can be a very real help! Here are three ways that you can help a favorite cause get started.
1. Help Them Get Up To Speed
There is a learning curve involved in using social media. One of the most important things is to understand where they are, what is acceptable and what is annoying. Like anything social, causes need to understand the culture to really make an impact.
I look at Facebook as being like a large party, where some kids are playing games, a group of guys is chatting about sports and movies, some women are passing around some photo albums and you can kind of drift over to whatever group you want and join in for a while. Twitter on the other hand seemed more like a large convention where everyone is wandering around exchanging business cards and looking at what people have on display. So I came to Twitter wearing my business suit and tweeted away about our program and the difference that we are making for children.
Then one day Susan @BuzzEdition pulled me aside (that is what DM’s are for) and helpfully told me that I was doing it wrong. She told me to stop talking at people and start talking with them. (Thank you Susan!) You see, just like at a convention, the true value of Twitter is not in getting as many business cards as possible, or even getting them to take our literature. The real value is to join the conversation. As people interact with you as a real person they will catch some of your passion. I am sure that I have many lessons left to learn but since we don’t have a budget to hire a consultant or even someone to be our social media person, I am very grateful to those who have been donating some of their expertise to the cause. It could be as easy as suggesting to your favorite cause that they keep their posts at 120 characters so that you can RT them easier.
2. Lend Them Some of Your Clout
I don’t know who said it first, but in Twitter “love” is spelled “RT”. The RT is changing but it still means that you think highly enough of the message to add your support to it. It is very encouraging when someone RT’s one of our messages and a stream of RT’s come in from that person’s followers. What is intriguing though is that it is not necessarily just those with followers in the tens or hundred’s of thousands who have the highest rate of RT’ers. Even someone with only a handful of followers has a measure of clout within that circle.
This is true in real life as well. While it can be a great boost to have a celebrity mention the cause, real support in the form of dollars contributed and hours volunteered usually comes from regular folks. It is their passion and commitment that are the backbone of any cause. So even if you are very small in comparison with others, your RT is incredibly valuable for your cause because it speaks of your passion.
3. Set a Personal Example
While activism and raising awareness are important the true goal of any cause is to make a real difference, which almost always translates into dollars given and hours volunteered. Never underestimate the power of personal example. I have made a habit in my life to always put things into practice in my life before I try to preach it to someone else. One of the powerful things about a quote is that not only is it true, but it is also affirmed by the life of the person who said it. So when we read the quote, “Never give up” the fact that it was spoken by Winston Churchill is just as much part of the message as the actual words.
Make it your habit to set a personal example of giving and volunteering to any cause that you trumpet online. Volunteer a few hours of your time and then blog about the experience. Give a few dollars and then challenge your followers to match your gift. If you make a personal investment, not only will it help your cause but it will also be proof of your passion to those you are influencing online.
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Great Post Jonathan. I have a suggestion for you if you would email me at YourHealthyWealth@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing more! Anne (@WealthOfHealth)
thanks Sara! And absolutely love the dog!
Wonderful post, Jonathan! Not only have you made your points very well, you’ve also done so in a way that is clear and easy to adopt for anyone looking for more ways to help the causes they believe in online. You’re right – awareness and funds are crucial. But when it comes to social networking, there is so much more to it than that! Thank you for the engaging and refreshing perspective.
Thanks Ana, no Portuguese yet, but maybe someday! : )
Great blog, great job. Thank you for sharing. Congrats!
Thanks Marianne – hesitant is right! Twitter can be very intimidating to begin with and the last thing we want to do is wear out our welcome – great people like you giving us advice has been awesome.
Jonathan:
I remember when you first came to Twitter and asked people to look at what you were working on. You have come so far from that first hesitant step into Twitter.
I am always happy to RT your tweets because you are helping so many innocent children. RT does mean love and I know how much you appreciate all of us doing it.
This blog should be a must read for everyone who has a cause to promote. Susan was right when she said that you should talk with not at people. We all should do that. People get turned off if they feel they are getting a lecture.
Keep up the good work! May God Bless you and all who are in your organization.
Marianne @RiWrites
Charlotte – You were one of my earliest mentors, giving great advice and encouragement back when I wasn’t sure if anyone was really listening anyway. Thanks!
What a great first post Jonathan.
You have come such a long way in the social media realm and it’s nice to see you offering back some first hand advice. I think taking the time to learn how passionate someone behind the organization is plays a huge part in how passionate we (the audience) become about it too and this couldn’t be more true in your case!
‘I don’t know who said it first, but in Twitter “love” is spelled “RT”.’ Excellent.
Keep up all the great work!
@charlottehrb
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RT @operationSAFE "How Can You (Really) Help Your Cause Online" http://bit.ly/8u2jIb #charity
Big thanks to Julie and Natalie – I am learning as I go. Each person stands on the shoulders of those who went before and gives a lift to those who come after.
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Jonathan,
Beautifully done and so inspirational to others! Your making a substantial differance. Blessings to you new friend.
Sincerely,
Natalie Laatz ( pics are all soooo precious)
Hi Jonathan
This is a fantastic Blog. GREAT JOB!
Thank you not only for your efforts with the children, but for your constant friendship & for being a mentor to people like me!
[...] This post was Twitted by RichBassett [...]
Thanks for dropping by Nana! It is kind of like an open house.
Great blog and good advice too!
Thanks Lee and Rick, and Jason as well, glad you liked it!
No truer statement has been made in relation to how Twitter works for every one. “I don’t know who said it first, but in Twitter “love” is spelled “RT”.” Brilliant Blog!
Hugs & Love,
Lee & Rick @ricklondon
Great site! Thanks.
Thanks, I am learning from the best! You
First blog by @operationSAFE "How Can You (Really) Help Your Cause Online" http://bit.ly/8u2jIb #nonprofit
"Love is spelled RT" Great first blog by @operationSAFE "How Can You (Really) Help Your Cause Online" http://bit.ly/8u2jIb
RT @RiWrites: RT @operationSAFEMy first blog post "How Can You (Really) Help Your Cause Online" http://bit.ly/8u2jIb Please comment and RT
RT @operationSAFE: @perthtones My first blog post "How Can You (Really) Help Your Cause Online" http://bit.ly/8u2jIb Please comment and RT
Great blog! Good, solid and practical.
Shire – you are one of my mentors as well
Dear Jonathan,
I loved your blog post. Great suggestions & advice!
I know from my own experience that building relationships is the most important step. Then you can introduce them to your cause. The friendship factor is very powerful when utilized in a positive way.
Thanks Richard – learning a lot from you my friend.
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Jonathan,
This is excellent and very practical advice and your suggestions are very real, and very simple to follow. When you bring people into your life on a personal level, they will listen to you because they care about you. They will hear your message as well as your words. Without this personal connection, they only hear the words and may or may not even put them all together.
RT @RichBassett @operationSAFE My first blog post "How Can You (Really) Help Your Cause Online" – http://bit.ly/8u2jIb
@operationSAFE My first blog post "How Can You (Really) Help Your Cause Online" – http://bit.ly/8u2jIb