Sometimes it can be challenging to communicate to higher-ups about the importance of experimenting with social media, especially if you are a communicator working in the philanthropic field. To be frank, with the exception of some brilliantly shining examples, the field has a reputation for being “behind the times” when it comes to online communications, a fact underscored by a recent Foundation Center survey that found only 29% of foundations reported having a website.
This is due in part to limitations of capacity (for example, there are a lot of no-staff family foundations out there). That being said, sometimes people are either not really aware of the sheer size and potential of social media, or may be thinking (or hoping) that social media is a fad and that they can safely wait this one out.
So, if you’re an internal change agent at a grantmaking organization or nonprofit, let me suggest the following video as a nice ice-breaker that vividly illustrates the scale of the social media sphere. Although it has a definite private sector flavor, it’s still a great conversation starter.
This video is by Erik Qualman of the Socialnomics Blog. To see the video in its original context, along with a full list of references for each statistic in the video, check out this post on his blog.
- Cary Lenore Walski, MCF web communications associate
This video really motivates me to manage social media better. Nonprofits need to have advanced knowledge of how to use these mediums effectively. The starting level is to have an account and put out updates, but I don’t really believe that most organizations are LISTENING.
How do we listen better? How do we maximize our limited time and dollars? And how do we analyze what is working? There has to be more (free) training and info sharing for/between nonprofits.
Well said, Kendra. There are huge opportunities for both grantmakers and nonprofits to use these mediums to listen — a behavior that’s a key component of success on both sides of funding and service delivery.
-Cary
Cary:
Thanks for posting my latest video for all of your readers. A huge thanks to your readers for all their kind comments. It’s supporters like you that have made it possible for Socialnomics the book to go to #1 in the US, UK, Germany and Canada.
Thanks for the support and for spreading the word on social media!
Best,
Erik Qualman
Thanks, Erik! It’s a great video for folks in the independent sector to see as well.
-Cary
Hi – thanks so much for sharing this updated version of this video. I wish I had known about this version 2 weeks ago prior to a keynote I gave to nonprofits and funders about social media! Great to learn about your blog too.
Kris Putnam-Walkerly
Putnam Community Investment Consulting &
@Philanthropy411
Thanks for being in touch, Kris! Yeah, there are a bunch of versions out there. I only found the latest and greatest because I followed the bread crumbs back to Erik’s blog.
-Cary
Oh no, are we planning to collaborate!? Look what social media is doing to us! : )
I know! Scary, isn’t it??? ; D This is why I have no free time! I’ll be in touch once this idea starts taking shape.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by OnlyFoundations and Cary Lenore Walski, MCF. MCF said: A video for the social media doubters on staff – http://bit.ly/9Y9Jid #MCFPotluckBlog #nonprofit #philanthropy [...]
Sorry for the typos in my post… too early, need my coffee…
I tried sharing this video, but they just stared at me and said “what’s a you tube?”
All kidding aside, thanks for the post. I think think video does a great job of relaying the facts quickly. I think most folks in the Foundation world, as in many other sectors, are simply overwhelmed with these new communication methods and want to know what we do with them besides posting what we had for breakfast in the status update. It’s out job as communication professionals to provide them with simply, clear and effective suggestions for integrating these tools into their work lives. I think the best step in that direction is cultivating a presence online and developing relationships with fellow professionals. Personally, I find that as I do that, opportunities arise for networking, gaining knowledge, feedback, collaboration and a host of other valuable returns.
Thanks for the blog post and inspiration!
XD I think you’re right on about the overwhelmed part. If you don’t have a full time communications person, how do you make time for it?
Your post has me thinking, it might be interesting to create some resources/see what resources there are around helping no or low-staff grantmakers decide what mediums might have the most impact for them, and how they can engage in them quickly and easily.
I’ve been doing a lot of “blah blah” about technology and philanthropic transparency lately. It would be interesting to flesh out what this could mean/does mean to different grantmakers already.
Since you inspired me, I will perhaps be in touch as these ideas develop to get your feedback…
And yikes, 7:09 am! That is early, sir. All typos are forgiven before 9 am, so far as I’m concerned.
-Cary
Nice video! Intriguing even for the converted among us.
I think so too!
-Cary