Competing with social networks: Why should someone join or support your organization when they can network through Facebook?

Competing with social networks:
Why should someone join or support your organization when they can network through Facebook?
Membership Software for Clubs, Associations and Communities

The Challenge
Reaching Members & Supporters is More & More Difficult
Recruiting Members, Donors, and Supporters
Retaining Members, Donors, and Supporters
Membership Software for Clubs, Associations and Communities Community Building Magnifiers for Non-Profits & Associations

Aging Supporters & the Generation Gap
Part of value of associations traditionally used to be pressing the flesh.
Younger generations though are not joining like they used to.

Aging Supporters & the Generation Gap
University of Ottawa study
Students are interested in learning about non-profits, especially in their region
Internet is their preferred means of learning about your organization
They need a forum of interactivity...aka by older generations as “networking”!
Preferred means Students/ youth from which they prefer to be informed about NPO’s & networking opportunities

The Challenge
Hundreds of Social Networks, Multitudes of Competing Networking Events Vying for Attention

The Challenge
Issue Fatigue:
500,000 new NPOs in US in the last four years
1.5 million NPOs in the USA;

Where to Start??
Why go to your organization?
More are Turning to Social Networks

It’s still hard to see results
http://www.clickz.com/3634883
“ Like brand marketers, advocacy and nonprofit groups are struggling to measure how their social media numbers translate to real action and real donations.” Membership Software for Clubs, Associations and Communities Community Building Magnifiers for Non-Profits & Associations

The Value of Associations & Cause-Based Organizations in a Social Media Age
Face to Face Networking Opportunities

The Value of Associations & Cause-Based Organizations in a Social Media Age
Associations, Non-Profits, & Charities offer specialized communities
Focused discussions
Controlled discussions

Melding the desire to network with social media
If you can’t beat’em, join’em!
Social media use amongst the professional-class (those who can become involved & donate) is only going up!

Melding the desire to network with social media
Associations, Non-Profits, & Charities offer specialized communities
Focused discussions
Controlled discussions

How can social media create a more valuable experience for networking event attendees?
Pre-event:
Organize “birds of a feather” luncheons or dinners
Post questions to session leaders to better prepare for the topics you’re interested in
At the event:
Discuss the day’s important discoveries and special moments during breaks or after hours
Create more interactive events and sessions to share with your community group members

How Can We Keep Up & Add Value?
Making the link:
NPOs need to act as the aggregate of the sources of networks which interests their niche

ASAE Hub ’09
Case Study

Association Jam
Case study

Stop Broadcasting, Start Narrowcasting!

Community Narrowcasting Campaigns
Two communities chosen, crowded media marketplace
In Compton, more promo materials placed in hands of a small number of locations
Messages tested & targeted to groups
By targeting in Compton vs. broadcasting in Bakersfield, 50%+ recognition of the campaign
March of Dimes Southern California - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Membership Software for Clubs, Associations and Communities Community Building Magnifiers for Non-Profits & Associations

Associations are where expert individuals already congregate in the real world!
Associations Now Magazine
“ These tools (social media & online networking) can be pedagogical and informational bridges for experts to the outside world (and amongst members).”
Associations are missing a particular opportunity when it comes to their ability to position themselves and their members as experts in their fields using smart blogging/ social media strategies.

Growing Membership: North Mason Chamber of Commerce http://frankkennysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-we-grew-our-membership-by-85-in-18.html Membership Software for Clubs, Associations and Communities Community Building Magnifiers for Non-Profits & Associations

Growing Membership: North Mason Chamber of Commerce
"How we grew our membership by 85% in 18 months"
Started with blogging
Created a private Ning group to connect members
Started adding content regularly
Once established, members "post dozens of times to your one time, keeping the site active"
Promoted through Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube, and email
"You must nurture the sites by seeding them, reinviting members to join, engaging them, friending them, coaxing them along until they have a habit of contributing.“ - Frank Kenny , North Mason Chamber of Commerce http://frankkennysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-we-grew-our-membership-by-85-in-18.html Membership Software for Clubs, Associations and Communities Community Building Magnifiers for Non-Profits & Associations

How much time does it take?
Beth Kanter: How Much Time Does It Take To Do Social Media?
5 hours/week to start listening
10 hours/week to participate
10-15 hours/week to generate buzz
20+ hours/week to build community
(At least ) 3-6 months before you start seeing tangible results

Start by listening
Search for your keywords on Twitter
Subscribe to search results RSS feed
Follow people who tweet about you or your cause

Start by listening (2)
Find and follow people/organizations
http://wefollow.com/tag/nonprofit

Search Facebook
What other nonprofits like you have a presence?
What kind of support are they seeing? -- fans, wall posts, etc.
What is being discussed?

Ask your supporters and volunteers
Where are they active online?
What would they like to see you do?

In Summary
NPOs face a number of challenges
NPOs still CAN flourish in a social media age!
If you can’t beat’em, join’em!

Membership management software
Focused on small associations & nonprofits
A cost effective solution for managing your:
Members
Website
Events
Fundraising
Try it for FREE at wildapricot.com
Nonprofit technology blog
blog.wildapricot.com
Association Jam social news sharing site
associationjam.org
Facebook
facebook.com/wildapricot
“ Name the Apricot” contest starts next week
Who is ? Member Management Magic Questions? Please contact Jay at [email_address] or 416-410-4059 x. 302

Who is Action Strategies?
Upcoming webinars on social media for non-profits and associations -
Social media techniques & strategies for growing audience share, memberships, donations: November 30, 2009 http://actionstrategies.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-webinar-social-media-strategies-for.html
Pre-register NOW for our book: “Social Media for Non-Profits and Associations” www.actionstrategies.ca
One-on-one training and services in:
Social Media
Communications plans
Media relations
Revenue generation & membership recruitment/ retention
Stakeholder engagement
Increasing event attendance
Magnifiers of Public Relations and Government Relations consultancy for non-profits, associations, and charities

Questions & Answers
We’re here to help!

Competing with social networks: Why should someone join or support your organization when they can network through Facebook?

by Wild Apricot

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

1 Embed 3

Statistics

Competing with social networks: Why should someone join or support your organization when they can network through Facebook? Presentation Transcript