Clicktivism refers to the use of online tools like social media to promote and support causes. While some critics argue that clicktivism is ineffective slacktivism, others believe it can be a successful form of activism when used strategically. To maximize impact, online campaigns must adapt their message for digital spaces, engage viewers through wit and narratives, spread their campaign across multiple sites, and connect online actions to real-world impact. An example of a highly successful viral clicktivist campaign was the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised much more money than previous years through its shareable social media challenge.

1. Clicktivis
m
Clicks count!
Photo via kalw.org

2. 71% go online to discuss
what’s on their minds [1]
Among millennials
Photo via falequin (Flickr)

3. American’s aged 18 and older spend
an average of
One hour per day on the
Internet and at least
another hour with apps [1]
Photo via Lel4nds (Flickr)

4. Social Media thrives on
engagement and conversation
To gain visibility, An
organization needs to be
Photo via mkhmarketing (Flickr)

5. Clicktivism | [klik-tuh-
viz-uh m]
[noun]
1. the use of information
communication
technologies, such as social
media, to promote, support,
and advance worthy causes.
2. Clicktivism can include a
range of activates such as
organizing protests and
signing petitions. [3,4, 5] Photo via frits ahlefeldt-laurvig (Flickr)

6. Many critics have condemned
Clicktivists, instead calling
them Slacktivists. [6]
Critics of Clicktivism
believe: Photo via petesimon (Flickr)

7. 1. Getting involved online
merely creates the impression
of support for an organization
[1]
Photo via mindful342 (Flickr)

8. 2. All the “likes”, “tweets”, and
“shares” generated by online
activists are “feel-good
measures” that do not yieldPhoto via Jason A. Howie (Flickr)

9. 3. That Clicktivists are lazy
and actually degrade “the very
nature of activism” [8] - meg Wagner
Photo via Bill (Flickr)

10. in order to create greater
change offline [1]
But in fact, a number of organizations have
found ways to operate effectively online
Photo via OC Always (Flickr)

11. So why does Clicktivism
work? [9]
Photo via an untrained eye (Flickr)

12. Part of Clicktivism’s success
is due to
the ease with which
individuals can initially get
involved
and share their cause
with friends [10]
Photo via got credit (Flickr)

13. Social media allows
organizations and activists to
raise awareness on a larger
scale
and reach an audience they might
not have touched offline [5,7] Photo via oggin (Flickr)

14. But in order to make digital
engagement meaningful
online presence must be
leveraged so that online activism is
Photo via Cali (Flickr)

15. “A successful activist utilizes both
virtual and real-life tools to spread
the message” [8]
- Meg
Wagner
Photo via 3eCheval (Flickr)

16. The ALS Ice
Bucket Challenge
For
example:
Photo via dragonbandphotos (Flickr)

17. The point of the challenge:
To raise awareness and money
for ALS
by creating funny, shareable
videos of individuals pouring
buckets of ice water on
Photo via globalpanorama(Flickr)

18. The ice bucket challenge is a
true example of a successful,
viral, online and offline
campaign.
The challenge raised 800%
over what was raised in the
same period of time duringPhoto via ksayer11 (Flickr)

19. So, how can online
campaigns be successful?
Photo via photosteve10 (Flickr)

20. 1. Present the campaign message
from an online perspective.
- Adapt your message so that it translates
properly online, where people function
differently than they do offline
- Make sure your message can become aPhoto via successonline.com.au

21. 2. Be witty to
engage viewers!
- Social media has the ability to
allow multiple narratives to occur
at the same time.
- If you’re message can engage
Photo via teachsxxxi.blogspot.com

22. 3. Expose you’re campaign and
decentralize social networking
- Run your campaign on many
different websites in order to
create multiple points of contact[2]Photo via siliconstaffing,co

23. - Create a relationship with social
media.
- Be sure to connect your online
mission to offline action in order to
4. Create a
sustainable
operation
Photo via gorge.net.au

24. Clicktivism can “make the world,
the one beyond the keyboard, a
better place”
- David Carr
Photo via Twitter Icon 9a (Flickr)

25. Work
Cited:
1. Carr, D. (2012, March 25). Hashtag Activism, and Its Limits. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/26/business/media/hashtag-activism-and-its-limits.html
2. Adhikari, A. (2012, April 5). How charities can use social media for digital campaigning. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2012/apr/05/charities-social-media-digital-campaigning
3. Sharma, R. (2014, August 20). Stop Pouring Ice on Clicktivism. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ritusharma/stop-pouring-ice-on-click_b_5692555.html
4. What is clicktivism? (n.d.). Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.clicktivist.org/what-is-clicktivism/
5. Kielburger, C., & Kielburger, M. (2015, April 10). A click is not enough to have impact on world. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://cnews.canoe.com/CNEWS/World/2015/04/10/22337541.html
6. Faw, L. (2012, October 23). Are Millennials Lazy Or Avant-Garde Social Activists? Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/larissafaw/2012/10/23/are-millennials-lazy-or-avant-garde-social-activists/
7. Moore, G. (2012, May 3). When clicking counts: In defense of slacktivism and clicktivism. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.one.org/us/2012/05/03/when-clicking-counts-in-defense-of-slacktivism-and-clicktivism/
8. Wagner, M. (2013, September 25). Why 'Clicktivism' Isn't a Dirty Word. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://mashable.com/2013/09/25/clickivism/
9. Carr, D. (2012, March 25). Hashtag Activism, and Its Limits. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/26/business/media/hashtag-activism-and-its-limits.html
10. Kingsley, P. (2011, July 20). Avaaz: Activism or 'slacktivism'? Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/20/avaaz-activism-slactivism-clicktivism