Comments on: Twitter and Nonprofits http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html Thoughtful and sometimes snarky perspectives on nonprofit technology Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:57:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Jill C http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5899 Jill C Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:52:33 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5899 "But there is no way on earth that I am going to suggest that a client of mine whose demographic is mostly women over 50 that they even spend any time on twitter in trying to accomplish their mission, or even get the word out about what they are doing." That really sums it up for me, Michelle. I came across your post searching for exactly that sort of wisdom. I am volunteer Webster for a small, low-budget nonprofit that wants to boost its web presence. I know some of the larger nonprofits like ASPCA use social networking to good effect, but I think for my little technophobic group, that approach might be biting off more than they can chew. Wish we could afford to hire you! Thanks for the great advice. “But there is no way on earth that I am going to suggest that a client of mine whose demographic is mostly women over 50 that they even spend any time on twitter in trying to accomplish their mission, or even get the word out about what they are doing.”

That really sums it up for me, Michelle. I came across your post searching for exactly that sort of wisdom. I am volunteer Webster for a small, low-budget nonprofit that wants to boost its web presence. I know some of the larger nonprofits like ASPCA use social networking to good effect, but I think for my little technophobic group, that approach might be biting off more than they can chew. Wish we could afford to hire you! Thanks for the great advice.

]]> By: Erin http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5720 Erin Thu, 01 May 2008 03:59:30 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5720 this is such great advice. it is so tempting for those of us who are excited by the technology to see the opportunity and want to bring all of our constituents into the fold. I would love to see more dialog that helps us understand how to make the bridge and to track the evolution of the less-techy population so we can push the envelope a bit but not too much. I've just discovered your blog tonight and it is exactly what I've been looking for. Thank you for keeping this going! this is such great advice. it is so tempting for those of us who are excited by the technology to see the opportunity and want to bring all of our constituents into the fold. I would love to see more dialog that helps us understand how to make the bridge and to track the evolution of the less-techy population so we can push the envelope a bit but not too much. I’ve just discovered your blog tonight and it is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thank you for keeping this going!

]]> By: James Young http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5675 James Young Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:04:03 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5675 First of all, thanks for the mention in the carnival. As for Twitter, I think it is one of those tools that organizations can drive their vocal constituents to use on their behalf. If you have a constituent who has a lot to say and says it in an interesting way, get them to express those thoughts in tweets, and see how many other people can be reached. First of all, thanks for the mention in the carnival. As for Twitter, I think it is one of those tools that organizations can drive their vocal constituents to use on their behalf. If you have a constituent who has a lot to say and says it in an interesting way, get them to express those thoughts in tweets, and see how many other people can be reached.

]]> By: Seth Schneider http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5672 Seth Schneider Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:02:47 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5672 Two use cases where I think Twitter makes a lot of sense: 1) disaster and emergency situations and 2) direct action/civil disobedience organizing where distributed and decentralized communications can be very helpful in reacting quickly to new information. However, these two areas overlap very, very little with the vast majority of the nonprofit sector. Two use cases where I think Twitter makes a lot of sense: 1) disaster and emergency situations and 2) direct action/civil disobedience organizing where distributed and decentralized communications can be very helpful in reacting quickly to new information. However, these two areas overlap very, very little with the vast majority of the nonprofit sector.

]]> By: Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants » Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5668 Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants » Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:40:41 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5668 [...] lastly, since I’m hosting, I get to mention my recent post on Twitter and [...] [...] lastly, since I’m hosting, I get to mention my recent post on Twitter and [...]

]]> By: Marnie Webb http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5667 Marnie Webb Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:14:57 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5667 I'm curious about how organizations can use Twitter. I think it's different for people -- for the reasons you cite. It's social and can help people stay in touch with the colleagues or peers or old friends or whatever. But I'm really not sure how organizations can use it in service. Though I've been thinking some about organizations that need an immediate influx of something -- clothing donations to a women's shelter for example -- could us it. I’m curious about how organizations can use Twitter. I think it’s different for people — for the reasons you cite. It’s social and can help people stay in touch with the colleagues or peers or old friends or whatever.

But I’m really not sure how organizations can use it in service. Though I’ve been thinking some about organizations that need an immediate influx of something — clothing donations to a women’s shelter for example — could us it.

]]> By: Matt Radel http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5666 Matt Radel Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:42:21 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2008/04/twitter-and-nonprofits.html#comment-5666 I think the biggest pain point that Twitter has is getting people to start using it. For the longest time I shunned Twitter without ever really giving it a chance, as it sounded dumb just by definition. But once I started using it, I fell in love with it. I think you make a great point - Twitter is one of those "hey, why not" tie-ins for non-profits (and non-profit software vendors, as I hear their API is beautiful), but it is still a very small audience. While organizations may not have a fantastic return, there doesn't have to be a huge time investment. Great blog by the way - keep up the great work! :) I think the biggest pain point that Twitter has is getting people to start using it. For the longest time I shunned Twitter without ever really giving it a chance, as it sounded dumb just by definition. But once I started using it, I fell in love with it.

I think you make a great point - Twitter is one of those “hey, why not” tie-ins for non-profits (and non-profit software vendors, as I hear their API is beautiful), but it is still a very small audience. While organizations may not have a fantastic return, there doesn’t have to be a huge time investment.

Great blog by the way - keep up the great work! :)

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