379 is my new magic number. That's the number of "yes" votes we got for our proposed NTC session in just a couple short weeks—apparently the most ever. [Ed note: it's true, by a longshot!]

Seriously, though? Is "Top Ten Social Media Fundraising Tips, as Featured at Social Media for Nonprofits" such a compelling topic that droves of nptechies turn out to cast their ballot, or is something else afoot? Although my ego would prefer otherwise, I doubt it.

So what gives, and how can you crush our record when you propose a workshop next year?

In short, the secret lies in what some may call the "Kevin Bacon effect", AKA viral marketing. Fundly CEO Dave Boyce, my proposed co-presenter, and I may have a bunch of Facebook followers and plenty of twaffic in my personal network, but that's nothing compared to how many people the folks I know are connected to.

So how can you take your cause viral, whether it's your proposed session, a newly released YouTube video, or the nonprofit you represent?

The answer is simple, yet confounding: C+C+C = C.

• Compelling: Never mind the what; the key is sharing the so what with your audience. If you can't convey why they should care, and how what you're talking about relates to their interests… it's game over.

• Concise: Einstein said it best, "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." How can you expect folks to spread the good word if it's too long and complicated to remember?

• Credible: Great, so you've engaged me and done it quickly, but if you try and tell me that your magic beans are the cure to cancer tomorrow, I'm onto whatever else my fascinating network of do-gooders and colleagues is up to.

Put ‘em all together and you get the key to viral victory:

• Contagious: The holy grail of social media marketing is attained when your engaging, short, and believable message takes fire and people start spreading it on your behalf; hopefully even remixing your message and broadening your appeal.

I hope these insights are helpful and aid you in your efforts to secure a spot in next year's NTC lineup, and more importantly, that they help you harness the immense word-of-mouth power that is the allure of social media. In fundraising, we say that the most powerful form of ask is a peer ask, and what is social media if not a perfect medium to facilitate that?

But that said, never let anyone tell you they're a social media expert; the field is moving too quickly for anyone to claim guru status in this newly forming world.

Of course there are some mavens and mavericks out there, including Social Media for Nonprofits keynotes and industry leaders Beth Kanter, Geoff Livingston, and Guy Kawasaki (upcoming programs include SF 11/4, Atlanta 11/17 & NYC 1/30/12, all produced under NTEN's gracious fiscal sponsorship). But never forget that no matter how bright any given luminary may be, as Pulitzer Prize winner Carl Sandburg first noted in 1949, we have officially entered a world where everyone is smarter than anyone.

The waterfall age of the Encyclopedia Brittanica has given way to Wikipedia, and the bottom-up world is here to stay. Embrace it and thrive, or resist and go the way of the technosaur.

But enough hypocrisy as I sit here and tell you that there are no experts and attempt to share my self professed nuggets and insights. What keys to the viral kingdom have you discovered while going about your work?

After five years of service, Darian recently stepped down as Executive Director of Craigslist Foundation. While there, he helped launch Nonprofit Boot Camp, the Environmental Nonprofit Network, and the Next Generation Leadership Forum. His new book, Nonprofit Management 101: A Complete and Practical Guide for Leaders and Professionals, includes practical tips and tools from 50 recognized experts across 35 topics, and he recently launched a nationwide Social Media for Nonprofits conference series and his Advancing Social Impact blog on Skoll Foundation's Social Edge. Heyman is now a public speaker that provides strategy, messaging, and fundraising consulting for nonprofits and green economy organizations. Follow Darian on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@dheyman