You probably already know that Google Grants gives out free AdWords accounts to nonprofits. With an account, if somebody searches for info on, say "polar bears" -- and your organization is trying to ensure there's an ice cap left for them to do polar bear-y things on -- you can use AdWords to try to steer them to your web site. (The searchers, not the polar bears. If polar bears learn to use the Internet, we're all in trouble.)
Yes, you too can try to attract the attention of folks looking for specific information with 3 lines of text next to Google search results. But it can be hard to get started, and even harder to optimize and track.
That's why we're excited to offer you a new webinar series, "Online Advertising Power for Nonprofit Organizations".
[Editor's note: The following is from the December 2012 issue of NTEN:Change, NTEN's quarterly journal for nonprofit leaders. Read the complete issue on "Collaboration" when you subscribe to the journal for free!]
By Debra Askanase, Community Organzier 2.0
This spring, the New York City Elder Abuse Center (the Center) began its journey from a traditional, “non-social” organization to one that uses and embraces social media in both its communications and internal processes. Established in 2008 as a collaborative response to the growing number of complex elder abuse cases in NYC, the NYC Elder Abuse Center helps professionals, organizations, and systems prevent elder abuse and improve their response to it.
The Center wanted to expand its reach, connections, and impact using social media and received grant funding in 2011 for social media planning and implementation through 2012. The Center staff includes just five staff members (four full-time) plus one very part-time social media manager at five hours a week. In order to accomplish the goals of social media strategy, Deputy Director Risa Breckman knew that 1.) work must be spread among staff 2.) she had to delegate others to take the lead with social media and 3.) everyone will need training in order to realize efficiencies and goals.
This is just a quick, last reminder that Early Bird Registration for the 2013 Nonprofit Technology Conference ends January 11th. After that, the price goes up, so we encourage you to:
[Editor's note: The following is from the December 2012 issue of NTEN:Change, NTEN's quarterly journal for nonprofit leaders. Read the complete issue on "Collaboration" when you subscribe to the journal for free!]
Data sharing has become a critical part of collaboration and will continue to do so as we are able to access and create more data. There are many sites that allow you to upload data, as well as download other data, for free. These are just a handful of nonprofit-focused data sharing sites to get you started:
A simple rule of thumb is that you should spend more time learning from your data than gathering it. When you get your data, make sure you understand why things happen. This doesn’t mean that you need to prove causality, most of the time a simple correlation will do. The important thing is that you think through the results, analyze them for insights and learning, and, most of all, look for failures
The NTC is NTEN's signature three-day gathering, bringing together nonprofit professionals like yourself from around the world to collaborate, innovate, and maximize effectiveness.
A look back at the most popular links from "Things We Like" in 2012.
According to the data, you're distracted. Or you want to be distracted. Or maybe there's no difference. In pulling the most popular link from each month this year, we found that NTEN: Connect readers clicked fun links about as often as they clicked links about how to avoid distractions or boost productivity. So, in the interest of time, try saying "no" to projects every once in awhile. You'll thank us later.
Still pressed for time? Try streamlining your e-mail processes. Here are "9 Gmail Plugins to Revive Your Productivity". Don't have time to finish reading this newsletter right now? Boomerang it! Want to learn more about who sent it to you? Add Rapportive! Nice.
Fortunately, some things have already been settled -- like Twitter. Over the summer, Taco Bell won Twitter, so we might as well move on to other things.
But there are so many cool distractions, right? I mean, consider the hexaflexagon. Have you made one of those yet? They're awesome!
These conflicting trends -- greater productivity vs. intentional distraction -- may explain the rise of the easily digestible infographic, like "Which Social Network Should You Use – and When?".
Because in the end, how can we ignore cats in a drawer. Happy holidays!
The generosity of spirit in the NTEN community is an amazing thing. We've raised nearly $5,000 of our $15,000 goal, and I know that with your help, we're going to exceed that goal.
And your donation today have double the impact, because the NTEN Board has stepped up to match your contribution dollar for dollar – up to a total of $15,000.
In 2012, we had more than 3,500 attendees to our local 501 Tech Club events, and hundreds more at local meet-ups across the country. We couldn't have done it without the generous support of the NTEN community.
But we have our sights set even higher for 2013. And there's never been a better time to show your support for NTEN. In fact, right now, your contribution will be matched by the NTEN Board, dollar for dollar – up to a total of $15,000. That's doubling your impact! (Thank you, NTEN Board!)
In trying to capture all the goodness of this year's Member Appreciation Month, two words come to mind immediately: Wow and Thanks. Every Novemeber we celebrate you, with you, in a month of free programming, shared "thank you" messages, and lots of prizes. And the biggest prizes come at the end!
