how to build a volunteer blog with form & function
DESCRIPTION
How does a bare-bones nonprofit manage to create a strong and consistent online and social media presence without spending big $$ and hiring a team? Same way it manages other projects: volunteers! But every NPO knows that even the best volunteers need support and coaching, and every volunteer project needs management. That can make it seem daunting or, worse, as a resource drain. This presentation will specifically walk-through how organizations can create and implement a plan for a volunteer-based online presence that builds connections to community, heightens cause awareness, raises funds and brings valuable rewards. Using a case study compare/contrast of two national nonprofits’ plans for blogs and social media, learn: Mobilizing and selecting volunteers Planning and tasking Organizing with schedules and deadlines Planning content Pros and cons of models: regular contributors, guest contributors I speak in takeaways. Audience members will walk away with a sense of can do!TRANSCRIPT
How to Build a Volunteer Blog with
Form & Function Julie Pippert, Founder and Director, Artful Media Group, Inc.
@jpippert on TwitterJulie Pippert on LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest and Facebook
Who I Am I’m Julie Pippert (@jpippert on Twitter, Julie
Pippert everywhere else in the online and offline world)
I have a dog, 4 cats, 3 generations of wild cardinals I track, and someday I’d like a pygmy goat. My two children are on board, my husband not so much.
Professionally, I’ve advocated for clients and employers through writing, mainly technology, health care, political, and nonprofit, and also through communication strategy.
I also avidly volunteer and/or donate in those same areas of interest plus The Arts, which I adore. This includes American Cancer Society, MD Anderson, NOW, Planned Parenthood of Gulf Coast, certain candidates, education, a local playhouse, PBS, and more.
What are you doing? Let’s get to know
each other a bit and talk about… What your
organization is doing with blogging now
What you hope to do
Questions you have
Goals for this presentation
Do blogs really benefit your organization?
Tell your story
Tell other stories that engage and compel action
Provide updates and news, happenings of interest
Explain why and purpose of events
Share events and photos etc. from events
Give a face to your organization: employees, volunteers, supporters, board, etc.
Principles of Persuasion
People are more likely to donate and participate when:
Asked by a friend or acquaintance
When it is easy
When they understand the purpose
When they know where resources go
When they know results
Quick Exercise 1 Grab your paper and pen
(or Smart Whatever) and jot down:
Stand out and be heard
Attract the masses (and their help)
3 things you could share on a blog3 things you wish you’d get for your organization from your blog
Elements of a Good Blog
Not pictured: Magical Fairy Dust or Pixie Dust (as you prefer)
Other Elements Tell me: what do YOU
love to read and what drives YOU to act?
It’s science! But not rocket science. Unless it’s a rocket science blog!
Much
matter
and lots
of art!
Tell me something good!Make it real, and, as if it
came right out of my head.
Give me one good
reason, and a few I
can use to
persuade loved
ones and friends.And then what
happened? I love serials and updates!
How to Make it All Happen
Make a plan, Stan
(Make it SMART)
Group Q: How does your organization plan? One person? Team? Collaboration? Brainstorm sessions? Designated plan writer?
Step 1: Choose Your Method
Single Contributor vs. Multi-Contributor
Open Access vs. Moderated/Edited
VoiceSingle Contributor who manages, writes most of the content, coordinates with organization, and fills in with occasional guest posts and interviews, strongly tied to social media community (conversation rich source for content)
Step 2: Be Organized Editorial
Calendar
Schedule: Assignments, Deadlines, and Tasks
Step 3: Be Clear You have to lay it all out
In writing
And share it
Where appropriate
These are rules but try for less…complex. And
readable by all.
Step 4: Recruit Volunteers
Volunteers can give a face, voice and story to your organization and blog, while making it do-able for you
Method
GuestsRegular
s
Incentives
Regular
Special
Inter-
views&
High-
lights
Quick Exercise 2 Organize into small groups of about 5
Have one leader who represents the org, one editor, and any additional people will be potential volunteer bloggers
Quickly create: 1 goal for your blog Method and type of blog 1 incentive 2 types of blog post (guest, interview,
etc.)
10
Go be Wonderful! Thank
you so much for attending today!
Questions?
"And though I be but
little, I am fierce."
Gratuitous cat photo
Resources Some good resources for you:
Who Owns Copyright in Works by Volunteers? http://www.copyrightlaws.com/us/who-owns-copyright-in-works-by-volunteers/
6 Free Websites For Public Domain Images & Free Stock Photos http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-free-websites-public-domain-images-free-stock-photos/
Frogloop – Care2’s nonprofit marketing blog: http://www.frogloop.com/
HandsOn Network http://www.handsonnetwork.org/ Beth Kanter – the best nonprofit voice out there and if you
read nothing else read her http://www.bethkanter.org/
Things I Wish We’d Gotten to Talk About
Building an editorial calendar (good thoughts from Spin Sucks – a great site -- http://spinsucks.com/communication/how-to-create-an-editorial-calendar/)
Content Strategy – an easy-to-follow process at http://marketing.about.com/od/strategytutorials/a/Create-A-Content-Strategy.htm and NTEN Your Top 10 Content Strategy Questions (Finally!) Answered
http://www.nten.org/blog/2011/10/06/your-top-10-content-strategy-questions-finally-answered
You Need a Content Strategy (slideshare) http://www.slideshare.net/annanten/12-nt-clorem
Policy Database: The most complete listing of social media policies. Referenced by the world's largest brands and agencies. http://socialmediagovernance.com/policies.php
Volunteer Blogger Agreements. Look at your own standard volunteer agreement and use it as a base. Tailor it with blogging specific expectations and incentives. One sample at http://www.npnparents.org/guest-blogging-for-npn