Is Facebook Causes Worth the Effort?
NTEN Affinity Groups member Ari Davidow recently prompted a discussion by asking:
Have people had success fundraising by setting up causes in Facebook? For what organizations do they work best? Is there a way to market joining the cause other than virally?
Responses ranged from the pragmatic:
I think creating the official Cause, with as much membership as you can is a good idea... Go after the long tail. A good example of the long tail is the amazing online work of the team at the Humane Society of the United States. http://www.causesonfacebook.com/beneficiaries/59
Since it is so uncontrolled I wonder about the reputation that Causes will develop and if it will be a good thing to be listed there. Also, it is fine to try it as a learning experience if you are interested but I wouldn't suggest putting in an effort as though this was going to be effective.
Overall, the tenor of the discussion was hopeful, focusing on the relative youth of the Causes application and the possibility that experimentation will lead to new and interesting ways to connect with constituencies.
Members recommended learning more from Care2's analysis of Facebook Causes and a (more superficial) piece in Newsweek.
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