News from the NTEN Connect Blog

Community Management and the Role of the Back-Channel

Submitted on Mon, 3/18/2013 - 7:33am
Sure, you reply to comments and thank people for re-tweets publicly; but are you also providing a back-channel for community members that need your extra support?

By Amy Sample Ward
Membership Director, NTEN


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Tech Across Your Org: Risks and Rewards of Combining Volunteers and Social Media

Submitted on Fri, 3/15/2013 - 9:41am
Social Media is an important tool for engaging with your community -- but what are the risks and rewards of working with volunteers to implement your social media strategies?

By Shari Ilsen
Online Communications Manager, VolunteerMatch


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Building Community On Your Website

Submitted on Thu, 3/14/2013 - 8:51am
How do you use your website to engage members more?

By Lori Halley
Engaging Apricot, Wild Apricot


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5 Key Relationships for Your Nonprofit: And the Tools and Tactics to Facilitate Them

Submitted on Wed, 3/13/2013 - 1:00am
Instead of siloing social media into “that stuff that so-and-so does,” what would a more integrated approach look like?

By Will Colely
Producer/Founder, Aquifer Media


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Member Round-Up: SXSW for good, content strategies, and technology social changemakers

Submitted by Megan on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 2:21pm

Our members have marched into March like lions! We continue to be impressed with the outpouring of useful tips and inspiring work from our nonprofit technology community and their eagerness to share with others. We're just as eager to keen to pass on the handy guides, fundraising insights, expert advice, among other events and happenings in nptech land.

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We Heart Social Data: But What Do We Do With It?

Submitted on Tue, 3/12/2013 - 1:00am
No one wants a warehouse of data that collects cobwebs and dust. We want data that can help us make our work more meaningful and efficient. We want data that will help us change the world for the better.

By Danielle Brigida
Sr. Manager of Social Strategy and Integration, National Wildlife Federation


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Issue 9 of NTEN:Change: Risks and Rewards

Submitted by Annaliese on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 1:00am

 

One running theme that echoes behind any new technology tool introduced to the public, or new trend identified for nonprofit operations, or new idea brought up by your staff is the concept of “risk and reward.”

What kind of risks would your organization be taking if you adopt that new social network into your communications? What is the risk of not adapting to a changing technology culture? How can we be sure that the rewards outweigh the risks?

This issue of NTEN:Change presents variations on that theme: tips and quizzes, inspiration and cautionary tales, examples and humor, all from peers and experts in the nonprofit and technology communities.

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Member Round Up: Getting attention, staying focused, and spreading the word

Submitted by Megan on Mon, 03/11/2013 - 2:16pm

These days, there's a lot competing for our attention ("Hey, is that a cat video?") in all the information that comes our way. It's an ongoing challenge to keep yourself focused, yet also capture and hold the attention of your supporters. This week's member round-up is full of tips for staying focused, ideas for your communications strategy, and insights on where to put your attention and efforts to build momentum for your cause.

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Got Ideas? Crowdsourcing for Innovation and Community Engagement

Submitted on Mon, 3/11/2013 - 6:44am
Nonprofits are making use of crowdsourcing, social media, and email lists to spread their message, mobilize volunteers, and get down to what’s important to their communities. But at the end of the day deeper engagement doesn’t come from more talking; it comes from better listening.

By Nick Bowden
CEO and Co-Founder, MindMixer


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Serve It Up: Frameworks for Curating Content in Communities

Submitted on Fri, 3/8/2013 - 12:00am
With information overload all the time, and fewer than 24 hours in a day to consume it, users have turned to online communities to play the role of content curation. And they’re winning out over traditional media sources.
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