Social Networking Sites
Should Your Organisation Use Social Networking Sites?
Are social networking sites like MySpace or FaceBook likely to be a good fit for your non-profit's goals?
These types of tools, collectively known as social networking sites, allow individuals/organisations to create
online profiles, discover others who share their interests, and create an online network of contacts and
supporters.
Social networking sites have received a lot of attention from the nonprofit world because they align with
nonprofits' desire to reach out to larger communities. If your local animal shelter could tap into a network
of cat lovers in your area, the logic goes, wouldn't that allow it to find homes for even more pets? There
are a number of success stories about nonprofits using social networks to reach new volunteers, build up
supporter lists, and even raise money. On the other hand, the success stories can be a bit thin
compared to the number of nonprofits experimenting with these sites.
Signs that Social Networking Isn't for You
1. You're still trying to get a handle on your basic software infrastructure.
There are many ways software can enhance your organisation's effectiveness and efficiency. Social networking
sites should not be the first tools you turn to, however.
2. Your target audiences aren't using social net working tools
3. You don't have time to experiment with some thing that might not work.
4. You're not willing to deal with technologies that don't work as well as they could.
5. You're not ready to invest in gaining a real understanding of the medium. Typical social networking site
users expect a collaborative, open approach. Anything that seems like a hard sell or like it was put together
by a committee will be ignored, or, worse, ridiculed.
6. You want clear editorial control over your brand and message.
Opportunities in Social Networking
1. Establishing a simple Web presence. MySpace and Facebook offer easy-to-use tools that will help you set up
a Web presence.
2. Promoting specific actions/petitions.
3. Consolidating existing, unofficial social net works related to your organisation.
4. Informal outreach that blends the personal and professional.
5. Researching VIPs, potential employees, and others.
6. Strengthening relationships between people who already know each other.
Are Social Networks for You?
To succeed with social networking sites, you'll likely need a staff member/ consultant who has a passion
for working with these types of sites. Be open to alternative goals, too: Perhaps your primary purpose with
social networks is just to get your name in front of the younger members of your audience. See full article
at:
www.idealware.org/articles/should_you_social_network.php
Sourced from Volresource Newsletter