If you don't know about NTEN (The Nonprofit Technology Network), they are the membership association for technology professionals in the non-profit sector. Here's more on them. Anyway, as you can imagine, they have a pretty great blog. I encourage you to subscribe!
The post I am referring to is all about how you might build all the flashy social tools in the world, but what if your members don't want to use them?
Holly writes,
"...You may build it, they may not come.
Of course, this is not to say that I don't think you should be experimenting with social media. I think you should be trying as much as possible. What I am saying is that your audience may not be ready to have the conversation that social media enables. That's because social media does not just enable conversations. It enables PUBLIC conversations.
- If you blog, do you remember your first blog post? Did you feel awkward and silly for publishing your two cents where anyone could read it. Did it make you feel like a bit of an egomaniac?
- Have you posted a photo online and wondered what your boss, colleague, or significant other would think if they ran across it online?"
Read the rest, but she ends her post with some tips:
- "Demonstrate that it's ok. Find a few community members (not staff!) and ask them to participate in your conversation, and encourage others to do the same.
- Use social media like a normal human. You will be more successful at having a conversation if you don't participate as "THE ORGANIZATION." Empower your staff to participate as individuals, sharing the right mix of organization party line (Check out our new program!), as well as personal news (I got a new puppy!).
- Keep at it. Building a true, interactive community takes a lot of time, and it happens slowly. Keep plugging away at it, and be consistent in your attempts and it will start to pay off."
Anyhoo... I will be in Charm City tomorrow and Friday, hopefully doing some live blogging, or taking video for PITV, or getting together with some YAPstars. If you are there and want to hang with us, follow me or Lindy on Twitter (@maddiegrant or @lindydreyer) and we'll keep you updated as to where we are. If you're not there, I'll see you on the other side.
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