I have thought quite a bit about whether or not blogging, facebook and twitter are really worth the effort, or rather what the correct balance should be between more traditional communication and the new social media. In typical business parlance I am worried about ROI, return on investment. Does it make more sense for me to spend my communication time writing e-mails, making phone calls and designing newsletters, or sending off tweets into the void, updating statuses and writing blog articles that might just well go unread?
To be honest I don’t really consider ROI that often, as I am not in the business world but the non-profit humanitarian sector. I do quite a lot of things that do not make much business-sense but in which there is a lot of common-sense. I give away much more money than I make. I often help people who can be of no use to me at all. I go out of my way to find the least and the lost that no one else is willing to spend the money to help because it is inefficient and unproductive. I do this because I believe in the brotherhood of all and the larger community, not to make money but because helping one another is our duty as human beings. Perhaps in this brave new world of connections and community online, common-sense has something to share with business-sense.
Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters
The business model is to track every effort made against the amount of return gained through that effort. Efficiency then requires that we maximize efforts that bring in greater returns and weed out useless exercises. This might work well in the corporate world where customers are reduced to numbers and bottom lines are everything, but in the connected world of community both online and for smaller non-profits there is more to consider. The old saying goes, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.”
- Goodwill – Communities have long memories. A specific action might not have any immediate result, but continued interaction within a community will build reputation, trust, and positive image that will influence decisions in the future.
- The Tip of the Iceberg – The network of connections that we can track are only the tip of the iceberg. For every person that we actually talk to, there are friends, neighbors, relatives and countless others who are influenced indirectly through them. They will never even show up on our radar until they have need of us.
- Relationship – Once goodwill has been established, people in your community, online or otherwise, will be willing to do things for you even though it brings them no immediate benefit either. People will step up in times of need simply because it is the neighborly thing to do.
So perhaps it is better for us to be less efficient in the short-run to become more effective in the long-run. I liken it to the constant dilemma of “the walk-in”. At times it seems that I can never accomplish anything because there is always someone at my door who just dropped by to chat. I might be frustrated but of course I put on a big smile, offer them a cup of coffee and prepare to “waste” the next half-hour or so chewing the fat. My productivity might suffer, but in reality I know that the personal visit always trumps whatever important project I might be working on, because it is these people who will be donors, volunteers, partners and advisors, they are the ones who will believe in what we are doing and move heaven and earth to see that it happens, all because I took the time to sit down with them, hear their concerns and share my heart. A half an hour not wasted but well spent, but with precious little data with which to track it.
Twitter
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter: deaulivery
says:
Just like the saying “A little bit goes a long way”, it sure goes some way indeed. Everything is worth, someone hears our cry, and that as long as God leads or spurs us on, if anything.
More than just the sum of all the parts, there is a much more going on in everything than what we can measure. If we settle for only the results that we can see, we will miss the greater good.
Just wanted to add that in addition to goodwill, network, and the relationships, we first have to know you’re out there. Social media is the platform for everyone. It is so universal, it’s amazing. What a great time we are in, where it is so easy to let the world know who we are, what we do and why we do things. Not only that, it’s a platform to seek and receive help as well. No it is not a waste of time, there is a learning curve of course, and when you know how to do it (here comes efficiency) then we can do greater things and reach more who need us. And the law of nature will bring to us what we need.
Please continue your great work.
I want you to meet Susan Smith of http://togetherweflourish.com , she just got approved as a non-profit organization and she is helping non-profits get noticed online.
I agree Jeannie – so many great smaller non-profits that are getting exposure. I will check out Susan as well.
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
I met you on Twitter, got to know you on Facebook, and really learned about the issues on your blog. WIthout Twitter, I wouldn’t be here. I’m grateful to know you and your mission.
Joy to you and yours,
Jeanette
Each one really fulfills a different purpose. I have likened Facebook to a big family reunion, where there are some kids playing games, old folks trading memories and young ones talking about the latest things. You can observe everything and jump in where you feel comfortable. Twitter feels more like a convention hall, city center, grand central – less familiar but more exciting. Blogging is yet another animal – so much to learn but having a lot of fun learning it.
Jonathan
I look at social media as a new mission field full of brokenhearted seekers.
There are many brokenhearted people who are bursting with love for others who have been hurt as well.
Jonathan
Apologising…
Sorry for my mistakes writing in English. I am trying to communicate and typing is not my business. In the text above the right word is new – not knew. If there is another one I am sorry. Try reading the meaning of my heart too. Thanks to all.
Not to worry, I am sure I am much worse in your language.
Hi ! I’ve read the article and…,well ,Thanks God the world still have people like you and a few more! I believe that when there are people who puts all effort in accomplishing the aim that was established since the beginning it wil be fulfilled. All the things you are doing are worthwhile as it is a cause. In the past time I’ve done something to bennefit others untill I believe on it. That is the point: How to make people believe in my cause ? It is a hard work even if you show them the necessity of helping the needy. I don;t know enough to help you better . Let me know how you expect to count on me. You ‘ve got my e-mail and I allow you to write to me as well. What I want to say is that there is a learning,an strategy in helping even thouh someones heart is on it.
I think it is a matter of balance – we must keep learning and believing. Belief alone can lead to dogmatic repetition of things that don’t work simply because that is what we have always done. Learning alone can leave us cynical and doubtful that anything will truly make a difference. We must always believe that what we are doing is right, whether it succeeds or not, and always continue learning how to do better because of it.
Jonathan
You know from inside what you are doing and why,for sure. Love is an open window and that is what really matters, isn’t it. I bealieve in a love that comes from God’s heart and the power and the resources , inspirations of what way to follow – Everything comes from Him . I don’t believe that a person who acts as you , and writes as you wrote above, is a person who is not tightly connected to God’s heart.-I’ve tried to sleep but it was impossible because I could’t stop thinking in your heart translated in love for people that have no one in their favor. This, I believe , is the key: Your heart is the open window. Let me help you in an objective way. What could it be ? I thought in doing an objetive twitter . I am knew in twitter and I am also following many people in order to see what it is and how it works, but I can change the track . Could you tell me how and in which way I can be helpful?
Rosana Thomasi
Twitter is about connections and community – Rosana, the best way to begin to help is to join our OperationSAFE Twitter Team and help us spread the word about the work that we are doing. How to do that practically?
When you log on to twitter, do a search for the tag #opsafe, you will see my posts and the posts of other people who are helping. Here are some things you can do to join the community and help it grow.
1. Retweet #opsafe tweets – it is that simple!
2. Follow others who are tweeting #opsafe
3. Introduce yourself to others who are tweeting #opsafe and share your passion
4. Introduce your friends to #opsafe
Thank you so much,
Jonathan
You wrote “Perhaps in this brave new world of connections and community online, common-sense has something to share with business-sense….”
Isn’t technology a beautiful thing when used for good… thank you for encouraging us to be the hands of Jesus to a lost, broken and hurting world. May God bless the work you are doing for His children.
Blessings~
Janice
Thank you Janice! I aspire to be His hands.
Blessings to you!
Jonathan
Twitter: samiaq
says:
I like this sentence it’s so true ” I do this because I believe in the brotherhood of all and the larger community, not to make money but because helping one another is our duty as human beings”..Yes Dear Johnathan I do share the same sentiments about this too it’s not an investment -and me too i know nothing about the business and investment world- but I know about humanitarian work and volunteering as I’m doing it I know I do spend money from my own pocket to go and help others and I’m not being paid in return but I’m being paid in something else in the love, satisfaction and the smiles I see on faces of those I meet and help..
You know what I always say Samia, “The greatest reward this side of heaven is the smile of a child.”
I love this part of your article, for it is what keeps me going as I raise my four girls, two of whom have emotional challenges due to history in foster care… ” I go out of my way to find the least and the lost that no one else is willing to spend the money to help because it is inefficient and unproductive.” This is why I do it every day too. And why I post what I do on my site. I’m subscribing today – looking forward to more great posts.
Thanks,
Laurie
http://livingpower.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mylivingpower
Thanks! I am glad that my words could be an encouragement!
The good one does may not be rewarded with money but with something more precious. I got to know you from a tweet someone sent me, this and other tweets inspired me to help as best as I can, I may not reach millions but as you said one person will tell another, its a ripple effect, somewhere down the line you will see a return. I also believe that if we dont get rewarded here we will in heaven. Keep up the good work.
I actually like that I have no control over the ultimate outcome – I know that as long as we do good today, it will result in good tomorrow, and most possibly a much greater good than I could have imagined.
WOW…. I love this post, I love what this organisation does!
Helping children through tough times and always trying to improve upon what you do… That’s why I follow u on Twitter and that is why I love this site!
Thank you… Xx
Thanks Shireen, I do try to improve, but mostly to learn – thanks for letting me think out loud.
We choose to give our selves and our time to that which we value, it’s true for all of us.
I believe we are here to build relationships where ever we are. I pause with wonder and awe with the wonderful work that you do daily.
I feel privileged and grateful to know you via Twitter and appreciate hearing your thoughts. I believe in you Jonathon!
Relationships are key – without them we are isolated and cannot accomplish anything. Thank you for your friendship.
Good post!
And i thank you for always there to help people.
Great job!
Shall Retweet it on Twitter! =)
Thank you!
You have it right about building communities. A healthy oversight of where funds are being spent to ensure the donations are being assigned as promised is appropriate. Yet the rest of the energy will multiply in favor of the orgs. purpose if you spread the word through communities and build bonds!
Corporations are starting to realize that in customer service. The “micromilli” focus on numbers has not produced customer loyalty. Zappos, Nordstroms etc… have understood that goodwill must be there to have profits to measure!
Great post.. I will RT it on Twitter.
Kate Nasser, The People-Skills Coach
Yes, I think that the non-profit world has had to work harder on the social end of things that the corporate world – might be a few things they can learn about social media from us.
Jonathan
You do fantastic work and you do this work with a dedication that is courageous and admirable. Just so you know, I knew nothing about you at all until Twitter – you’re efforts are not wasted as you ARE getting the word out. By doing that and raising the awareness of what you do and what is needed, you do change the world, in little tiny ways at first, but that will snowball out and the changes will become more and more profound as the awareness becomes greater. That is one of the most wondrous things about Twitter and Facebook and other social networking sites; the sheer amount of people you can reach – it’s almost mind boggling
As for your comment about feeling that you don’t get “work” accomplished because of your walk-ins; I think you accomplish far more than you realize. You take the time to listen to people and to be present for them. That means more I think, than you know and the ripples from that are just as powerful and profound as the other work you do
Knowing that there are people like yourself out there restores my faith in this maelstrom of horrors that I find currently gripping the world – thank you
Thank you Tasha, I am encouraged by the many great people I am getting to know on Twitter. Finding the balance is the tricky part. I honestly do feel that twitter can just as easily become a distraction, but the possibility are great as well. Nice to know that my work is appreciated!
Jonathan
I know it’s difficult when you desperately need money to continue humanitarian work (and feed yourself!), but I still believe in the motto: “Do what you love and the money will follow.”
I also believe in this, Mother Teresa’s version:
“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
Excellent! There is a balance between Mother Teresa’s words you quoted – which can easily lead to a “lone-ranger” attitude of me and God and to …. with everyone else, and her actions, which were obviously deeply rooted in community. She made a difference both by personal example and by involving others to commit to doing the same. This is where I believe social media has great potential to help us as humanitarian workers to involve the community – not just as a source of funds, but as partners in the work.
Thanks!
Jonathan
These words come from a heart that is keen on God’s heart ! It is a Cause . Only when it is a Cause people go beyond. The question still is: How to gather people to “my” Cause?
Anyway, as the beautiful words above say, go ahead anyway, any time ,any effort , it doesn’t matter how many anys…
Twitter: happy24n7
says:
a little things i can help by share this with others.
thanks~
And that help is much appreciated!
Blessings,
Jonathan
THank you for always helping people.Mat God Bless you always!
Thanks for the blessing and the help Delisa!