The document outlines an audio seminar on blogging for nonprofits and libraries, emphasizing the benefits, best practices, and tools for successful blogging. It highlights the importance of defining goals, understanding the audience, and maintaining a dynamic online presence to enhance communication and brand recognition. Additionally, it includes resources for ongoing learning and engagement through TechSoup's platform.

1. Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries Audio is only available by calling this number: Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392 Sponsored by

2. Using ReadyTalk Chat & raise hand Mute = *6, Unmute = *7 If you lose your internet connection, reconnect using the link emailed to you. If you lose your phone connection, r e-dial the phone number and re-join. ReadyTalk support: 800-843-9166

3. You are being recorded… This seminar will be available on the TechSoup website along with past webinar presentations: www.techsoup.org/go/webinars You will receive a link to this presentation after. Twitter hashtag: #tstblog Ask follow-up questions in the Emerging Technologies Forum: http://forums.techsoup.org/cs/forums/t/28873.aspx

4. Facilitator: Becky Wiegand ( TechSoup) Presenters: Allyson Kapin, Care2 Jason Griffey, Library Blogging Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries Sponsored by

5. Today’s Speakers Answering chat questions: Laura Newton, TechSoup volunteer Becky Wiegand TechSoup Jason Griffey Author, Library Blogging Allyson Kapin Care 2’s Frogloop Blog

6. Webinar Objectives Definitions Benefits of Blogging for Nonprofits Benefits of Blogging for Libraries Considerations Before Starting Overview of Tools Best Practices and Tips Favorite Blogs More Resources Q&A

7. What Is a Blog? “ A blog is a web page (usually) written in a programming language, where the content of the site is stored in a metadata-rich format, and the presentation of the content is (usually) in a reverse chronological order. Each piece of content is (usually) the product of a single author, and the content is updated regularly. The page in question (usually) has some form of social component, whether through comments, trackback, or other mechanism of communicating content or feedback.” -- Library Blogging

8. What Are the Benefits of Blogging for Nonprofits?

9. Communicate. Stand Out. Direct communications with your base of supporters, potential supporters, the press and influentials, and decision makers such as political representatives and staff. Don’t get lost in the shuffle. Your opposition or competition probably has a blog. You should too! www.blogforchoice.com

10. Tell Your Story with Your Voice Easy and cost-effective way to share latest news, tell your story, solicit feedback and foster discussion. Gives your nonprofit a distinct voice within a movement and can distinguish you from other nonprofits working on similar issues. www.greenpeace.org/uk

11. Brand Your Mission Build brand recognition around your mission. blog.amnestyusa.org

12. Deliver Fresh Information Integrate a blog feed on your organization’s homepage. It’s an excellent way to freshen up your homepage and make it dynamic. RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feeds allow you to automatically deliver updates. www.savedarfur.org

13. What Are the Benefits of Blogging for Libraries?

14. build your audience

15. share your secrets

16. remix your world

17. Considerations for Getting Started

18. Getting Started: Goals & Staff Define Your Goals Upfront! Identify your target audience. Define the unique information you want to use your blog to deliver. Publishing schedule: Can you provide information quickly and regularly? Staff Commitment Options: Designate Blogger-In-Chief, periodic guest posts, rotating staff contributions. Aim for three short posts per week to keep the blog fresh. Who Should Be Blogging? People that truly understand your organization’s mission, issues, and agenda. Guest bloggers: Board members, allies, partners, etc.

19. Getting Started: Voice Tone depends on your target audiences. For example, if you have: Young, tech-savvy online communications practitioner audience? Professional voice with some personality and spunk. Policymaker audience? Research-based tone. Community members including teens and children? Straightforward, non-sarcastic, age-appropriate.

20. Getting Started: Comments, Security Do you want to allow comments? Moderated or anonymous? If you work on controversial topics, do you want to keep identities of your bloggers concealed? How can you ensure your blog doesn’t get hacked or become a spam repository? Do you need a disclaimer stating that your bloggers have their own opinions? What standards apply for staff, volunteer, intern, or board members who blog for you?

21. What Tools Fit Your Needs?

22. Tool: Blogger.com

23. Tool: WordPress.com

24. Tool: TypePad.com

25. Tool: WordPress.org

26. Tool: MovableType.com

27. Tool: FeedBurner and Readers

28. Microblogging Twitter.com

29. Best Practices & Tips Sponsored by

30. Best Practices & Tips Blogs should be easily scannable. Use bullets to display lists. Frame your post around key sections that illustrate your points with bold headlines. Use pull quotes strategically such as to highlight a very compelling comment or good stat. www.frogloop.com

31. Best Practices & Tips Layout: Display several posts on the main page using excerpts and associated image so web visitors can get a quick synopsis of your latest articles. Length of Posts: 500- 750 words or less is a good framework. If it’s longer, divide into a two-part post. Search Engine Marketing: To increase your search engine rankings, use keywords that relate to your nonprofit’s issue. A keyword-oriented blog can increase your chances of higher search rankings which means more traffic to your blog. wilderness.org/blog

32. Promoting Your Blog RSS Feeds: Give visitors opportunities to subscribe to your blog’s RSS feed. Add This: Encourages users to promote blog posts - www.addthis.com Social Networks: Promote key articles to colleagues, listservs, reporters, your followers on social networks like Twitter and Facebook. Post Comments: Comment on blogs who are discussing similar topics.

33. Top Picks: Allyson’s Favorite Nonprofit Blogs Tone and Voice: NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network) - http:// www.nten.org Nonprofit Online Communications: Care2’s Frogloop - http:// www.frogloop.com Connection Café - http:// www.connectioncafe.com / Epolitics - http://www.epolitics.com/ Techsoup Blog – http://blog.techsoup.org Social Media: Beth Kanter - http:// beth.typepad.com / Care2’s Frogloop - http:// www.frogloop.com Compelling Blog Design: 350 - http://www.350.org , deals with climate change Carrots Creative - http:// carrotblog.com / , communications firm.

34. Top Pick: beth.typepad.com/

35. Top Pick: blog.techsoup.org

36. Top Picks: Jason’s Favorite Library Blogs Skokie Public Library Blogs - http://blogs.skokielibrary.info/ - The Answer - The Bookshelf, and more! Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library - http://www.tscpl.org/ The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County - http://www.plcmc.org/ (internal blog) Pattern Recognition – jasongriffey.net ALA Techsource - alatechsource.org/blog TechSoup for Libraries Blog – www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog

37. Top Picks: blogs.skokielibrary.info/

38. Top Picks: alatechsource.org/blog

39. Top Picks: techsoupforlibraries.org/blog

40. Questions? Submit your questions using the chat box.

41. Contact Allyson: www.radcampaign.com www.frogloop.com www.womenwhotech.com www.radicaltech.org Email: [email_address] Twitter: @womenwhotech,@radcampaign, @care2frogloop Contact Jason: www.jasongriffey.net [email_address] griffey on Twitter, delicious, flickr, friendfeed, just about everywhere google voice - 423-443-4770 links/photos available at: delicious.com/griffey/techsoup

42. Continue the Discussion… Thanks to our presenters, Allyson and Jason! Thanks to Laura Newton for managing the chat! Twitter hashtag #tstblog Ask follow-up questions in the Emerging Technologies Forum: http://forums.techsoup.org/cs/forums/t/28873.aspx

43. Get the Most Out of TechSoup At TechSoup, you’ll find a range of technology services to help your nonprofit: Read helpful articles in our Learning Center Get latest news and event info from the TechSoup Blog Request donated software , hardware, and online services Join our community forums to learn from your colleagues Browse upcoming events and conferences

44. Thanks to Our Webinar Sponsor! ReadyTalk offers dedicated product demos for TechSoup organizations 4 times per week: Monday 1:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST) Wednesday 9:00 am MST Thursday 1:00 pm MST Friday 9:00 am MST For more information: pages.readytalk.com/techsoup.html

45. Thank you! Please complete the post-event survey. For more information contact: Becky Wiegand [email_address]