1. 5 4 3 2 1… A COUNTDOWN TO SUCCESS IN SOCIAL MEDIA & NETWORKING
4 questions to answer before you get
1 solid definition started with social media
This techie buzz phrase "social networking" or
"Web 2.0" is meant to describe new web-based 1. WHY do you want to use social media? The clearer
online communities meant to encourage you are about your goals, and the more specific you
members to socialize with each other online and are about what you want to achieve, the better your
have their friends and colleagues publicly listed. results.
These platforms are Friend-of-a-Friend networks: 2. WHO are you trying to reach? This affects which
when you join, you note who else on the network channels to use and how to approach them.
is your "friend" or associate, and others are able
3. WHAT do you want your audience to do? If you’re
to see these associations. These platforms are
focused on social media for marketing, you probably
also set up for members to frequently update
have two key audiences: people you want to use your
each other. product or join your program (customers) and the
people who will help you reach them (influencers).
Many users find these sites easy-to-use as "one
stop" shops, since so many tools are all in one 4. WHAT can your social media presence do FOR your
place: to chat live with other members, to share audience? You need a value proposition for your
music and photos, to know which friends have customers and a value proposition for your
updated information, etc. Social networking sites influencers.
also feel exclusive and special, qualities that
people under 30 find particularly appealing. http://www.socialsignal.com/blog/alexandra-samuel/4-
questions-answer-you-get-started-or-move-forward-
with-social-media
The first social networking site to 5 tips for engaging web audiences
achieve mass appeal to a broad demographic. Can be
used to create a presence for a nonprofit or a social
1. Focus your site on a particular goal or conversation,
cause, promote events, and raise money. rather than just a general mandate.
2. Invite your community to make contributions other
Allows people to easily upload and share
than money.
video clips, as well as comment on them and share
favorites. Includes a nonprofit channel.
3. Play nicely with other nonprofit (and for profit)
organizations. Engage in conversations and ideas
on other blogs.
3 ways in which Facebook & Twitter differ 4. Don’t feel like web 2.0 means building your own
online community—use existing web tools.
Followers 5. Stay current with how other nonprofits are using
Extra Content web 2.0 and learn from their experiences.
Conversations Read the full article online at
http://www.socialsignal.com/blog/alexandra-samuel/best-
http://blog.socialsourcecommons.org/2010/11/musings-
rumblings-on-twitter-vs-facebook/ practices-for-non-profits-using-web-2-0