The document provides an introduction to nonprofit blogging, outlining the basics of what a blog is, benefits for charities and donors, tips for getting started, principles for nonprofit blogging, examples of nonprofit blogs, and resources for nonprofit bloggers. Case studies of specific nonprofit blogs like the South Asian Philanthropy Project are presented to illustrate best practices. The presentation aims to educate nonprofits on how to utilize blogging as a tool for outreach, fundraising, and community building.

1. Blogging Basics
April 13, 2011
The 2011 MyCharityConnects
Webinar Series is generously
supported by Direct Energy.

2. Today’s Presenter
Archan Sridhar
Co-Founder, South Asian Philanthropy Project

3. reminders
 You can hear us, but we can’t hear you
 Presentation slides will be available on
www.mycharityconnects.org/pastwebinars
 For the best webinar experience, close all other applications
 Turn up your computer’s volume
 Have questions? Type questions in the Questions Log

4. What is CanadaHelps?
A public charitable foundation that provides accessible and
affordable online technology to both donors and charities.
For Charities
A cost-effective means of raising funds online.
For Donors
A one-stop-shop for giving.
CanadaHelps is a charity helping charities.
CanadaHelps is giving made simple.

5. Blogging Basics
An introduction to nonprofit blogging
Archana Sridhar
The South Asian Philanthropy Project
and
University of Toronto Faculty of Law

6. What is a blog?
• Short for ‘weblog’
• Usually an online journal
• Contains regular commentary or news
• Personal, professional, and/or organizational
• Reverse chronological order
• Often interfaces with other social media – e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Flickr
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7. An example
• Resurge International
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8. Benefits of blogging
• Substance: Real-time commentary on relevant issues.
• Marketing: Reinforce your brands and claim expertise.
• Outreach: Forum to recognize and cultivate volunteers, donors, and journalists.
• Fundraising: Talk about appeals, campaigns, donors, and drive traffic.
• Community-building: Provide on-line resources and community-building.
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9. Case Study
• South Asian Philanthropy Project
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10. Pros
• Instant Publication
• Feedback and Comments
• Searchable
• Automatically Archives
• Links
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11. Cons
• Dependent on Internet Access
• No Authority or Control
• Too Much Information
• Takes Staff Time
– How much?
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12. How to start a blog
• Think about resources
– How much do you want to pay? – free to hundreds per year
– What kind of tech expertise do you have?
– Look and customization
– Ease of use
– Widgets
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13. How to start a blog cont’d
• Pick a platform
– Google Blogger
– Wordpress
– Typepad
– Tumblr
• Can be up and running in minutes!
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14. Principles for nonprofit blogging
1. Manage expectations
2. Become an authority
3. Build networks
4. Entertain while being informative
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15. Some more examples
• PhilanTopic
• Give and Take
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18. Practical tips
• Use interns
• Keep it simple
• Write informally and often
• Expand into other social media
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19. Some more examples
• MaRS
• Ontario Nonprofit Network
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22. Some resources
• CanadaHelps (MyCharityConnects)
• Lucy Bernholz (Philanthropy 2173)
• Beth Kantor (Beth’s Blog)
• Nonprofit Blog Exchange
• NetSquared
• Marnie Webb (ext337)
• Nonprofit Technology Network
22

23. Thank you!
• Thank you to:
– CanadaHelps
– Cindy Dabney of Indiana University
– Seth Mazow, formerly of Interplast
– The South Asian Philanthropy Project (http://southasianphilanthropy.org)
• Questions?
23

24. ABOUT MYCHARITYCONNECTS

25. www.mycharityconnects.org
free online resources
 Information about technology
 Video demonstrations
 More webinars
 Past webinar recordings & slides
 Learning opportunities
 Events across the country

26. MyCharityConnects Conference 2011
JUNE 6 – 7 | MaRS Centre, Toronto
• Join us for thought-provoking keynotes,
practical how-to workshops and plenty of
chances to learn from other non-profits
about what works online… and what
doesn’t!
• A proud partner in Net Change Week
• Registration is open!
www.mycharityconnects.org/2011Conference

27. Upcoming Webinars
www.mycharityconnects.org/webinars
• April 27 – Social Media Done Right: 5 Case
Studies
• May 11 – Spruce up your E-newsletter
• May 25 – 10 Tips to Improve Your Website
• June 15 – Getting the Most From your MyCharity
Account & Reports
• June 29 – Know Your Website: An Intro to Google
Analytics
• July 20 – YouTube’s NonProfit Program & the
Fundamentals of Video Storytelling

28. Keep in touch!
info@canadahelps.org
www.twitter.com/canadahelps
www.slideshare.net/MyCharityConnects
www.facebook.com/canadahelps
www.youtube.com/canadahelps

29. YOUR TURN