Handout from our Blogging Basics webinar on April 13, 2011. Can one tool help you share your story, build your brand, provide timely information to a variety of audiences and strengthen supporter engagement? Blogs can! In this webinar, you will be introduced to the basics of blogging including different blogging platforms and blogging principles: managing expectations, becoming an authority, and building networks. Learn the secrets of blogging success with examples from nonprofits. Presentation by: Archana Sridhar, Co-Founder, South Asian Philanthropy Project Registration for MyCharityConnects webinars is open to employees, volunteers, and board members of Canadian charities and nonprofits. The 2011 MyCharityConnects Webinar Series is generously supported by Direct Energy.

1. Blogging Basics: An Introduction to Nonprofit Blogging
CanadaHelps MyCharityConnects
Archana Sridhar
April 13, 2011
BLOGGING BASICS
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.
Pros
• Instant Publication
• Feedback and Comments
• Searchable
• Automatically Archives
• Links
Cons
• Dependent on Internet Access
• No Authority or Control
• Too Much Information
• Takes Staff Time
Principles for nonprofit blogging
• Manage expectations
• Become an authority
• Build networks
• Entertain while being informative
Practical tips
• Use interns
• Keep it simple
• Write informally and often
• Expand into other social media
• RSS feeds

2. Blogging Basics: An Introduction to Nonprofit Blogging
CanadaHelps MyCharityConnects
Archana Sridhar
April 13, 2011
NONPROFIT BLOGS AND RESOURCES
Blogs
South Asian Philanthropy Project http://southasianphilanthropy.org/
Interplast http://interplast.blogs.com/
MaRS http://blog.marsdd.com/
Ontario Nonprofit Network http://ontariononprofitnetwork.ca/blogs
PhilanTopic http://pndblog.typepad.com/
Give & Take (Chronicle of Philanthropy) http://philanthropy.com/giveandtake/
Resources
Blogger https://www.blogger.com/start
Wordpress http://wordpress.org/
Typepad http://www.typepad.com/
CanadaHelps (MyCharityConnects) http://mycharityconnects.org/
Nonprofit Blog Exchange http://nonprofitblogexchange.wordpress.com/
NetSquared http://www.netsquared.org/
Nonprofit Technology Network http://www.nten.org/
Lucy Bernholz (Philanthropy 2173) http://philanthropy.blogspot.com/
Beth Kantor (Beth’s Blog) http://beth.typepad.com/
Marnie Webb (ext337) http://ext337.org/

3. Blogging Basics: An Introduction to Nonprofit Blogging
CanadaHelps MyCharityConnects
Archana Sridhar
April 13, 2011
MAKING A PERSONAL BLOGGING PLAN
What is my organization’s goal in starting a blog? (fundraising, media, outreach,
program building, etc.)
Who would write on the blog? Who would maintain the blog? What kind of staffing
resources do we have for this? (staff, volunteers, interns, group or solo authors, etc.)
What are some topics we would cover? What are some ideas for content? (news,
events, commentary, etc.)
What other blogs in my field would serve as examples and/or links?
Whose buy-in do I need to get for this to happen? (director of communications, CEO,
board members, etc.)