This document discusses best practices for creating effective online petitions. It outlines that online petitions can engage supporters and generate media attention to pressure decision-makers. Winning petitions have asks that are achievable, specifically targeted, and tell compelling stories with provocative images and engaging titles. The document also provides tips for promoting petitions through email lists, social media, websites, local bloggers, and press releases to maximize support. The overall message is that online petitions can complement traditional advocacy by combining engagement, media generation, and pressure tactics into a single social object.

1. Petition To Win: Benefits & Best
Practices for Online Petitions
Lawrence Grodeska
June 19, 2012
A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

2. Protecting and Preserving the www.cjwconsulting.com
Institutional Memories of
Nonprofits Since 1993 (866) 598-0430
info@cjwconsulting.com
A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

3. www.mission.do
A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

4. Today’s Speaker
Lawrence Grodeska
Nonprofit Community Manager,
Change.org
Assisting with chat questions: Hosting:
Jamie Maloney, Nonprofit Webinars Cheri J Weissman, CJW Consulting & Services, Inc.
A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

5. Petition To Win:
Benefits & Best
Practices for
Online Petitions

6. Presenter: Agenda:
 Why online petitions?
 What makes a winning petition?
 Best Practices for Petitions
 Promoting Petitions
Lawrence Grodeska
Nonprofit Community  Q&A
Manager
Hashtag: #petition2win

7. The World’s Organizing Platform

8. 2,000,000 New Users each Month
10,000,000 Active Users each Month in
2011
150 Countries
15,000 Organizations have collected
21,000,000 Signatures 2010
2008 2009
2007
Annual Member Growth

11. #petition2win Takeaway:
Online petitions are highly social
objects that compliment
traditional advocacy tactics.

12. Benefits of
Online Petitions

14. First step in the “Ladder of Engagement”

17. #petition2win Takeaway:
Online petitions effectively
combine a number of tactics:
engage supporters, generate
media, pressure decision-makers.

19. Creating Your Petition

20. Winning Petitions Are “DIRTy”:
Dramatic, Inspiring,
Relevant & Timely

21. Edison Wetlands Association

23. The Polaris Project

25. CORNELLIANS FOR NYC TECH CAMPUS

27. Best Practices for
Creating Your Petition

30. Remember to make
your petition “DIRTy”:
Dramatic, Inspiring,
Relevant & Timely

33. #petition2win Takeaway:
Winning petition checklist:
achievable ask, specific targeting,
compelling story, provocative image,
engaging title

35. Promoting Your Petition
 Use your email list
 Share on Facebook & Twitter
 Integrate with your website or blog
 Reach out to local bloggers & allies
 Include link in press releases

37. What are YOU going to change?
 Change.org/start-a-petition
 Lawrence@change.org

38. Find listings for our current season
of webinars and register at:
NonprofitWebinars.com
A Service
Of: Sponsored by: