Facebook may have 500 million users and can be useful to help promote your cause, but Facebook could not and should not ever replace your nonprofits website. "Thinking Facebook could take the place of an organization's website is like saying your car is so great soon you can just live in it and get rid of your house. You might have a really, really nice car (now, notice I didn’t say RV; that might be do-able) but it’s a car, not a house," said
1. Facebook Pages have very limited functionality.
2. You have very little control over how your information is displayed on Facebook.
3. Facebook looks out for themselves and doesn’t care about businesses.
4. Facebook’s analytics are very limited.
5. Facebook may be popular today but it’s still FACEBOOK.
Words and Phrases to Avoid in 2011
Dan Gunderman over at Big Duck is not a totalitarian when it comes to words but he’s got strong opinions on the subject, and what words your nonprofit should be avoiding across your online and offline constituent communications.
In these economic times
Raising money during recessions are tough on nonprofits but that doesn’t mean fundraisers have to always remind people of “these economic times” when sending out fundraising appeals. Plus, as Gunderman adds can times be economic?
More than ever
Another common phrase that many nonprofits like to use in every other fundraising appeal is “your donation is needed now more than ever.”
“If your audiences sees it every fundraising cycle, pretty soon they’ll either think you’re lying, or that you’re always in a state of desperation,” said Gunderman.
Take it to the next level
Be honest, does your nonprofit ask donors to give more money than they usually do by stating “Take your donation to the next level.” Well, you are not alone. Every other nonprofit says the same thing. Get specific and stand out from the rest of the fundraising appeals that are hitting your members’ inboxes.
What Will Be the Impact of the Tucson Shooting on Grassroots Communications?
In the ladder of engagement, the ultimate in communications and activism is attending an event or meeting in person, and if possible, engaging a policymaker in a face-to-face conversation. "That is our pot of gold," said Shana Glickfield of the Beekeeper Group.
Will recent events change the advocacy landscape, asks Glickfield. Will we see public events taper off? Will we see Members moving their communications online? Will the impromptu dialogue with a policymaker become more difficult, or even a thing of the past?
What blog piqued your interest this week?