We've never understood the phrase "whistling past the graveyard". Wouldn't that just attract the zombies? If you like what you read, support us by becoming a member.

HOW TO LEVEL UP

Chris Brogan, New Marketing Labs

In games, leveling up is when you reach the end of a series of activities, face a big challenge, and then move to the next level. It's very distinct and defined in most games. In many games, facing a "big boss" at the end is your chance to prove that you've accomplished new skills.

Real life doesn't have such obvious transitions, but there's a lot to think about with regards to this kind of thinking. If you could see your organization and personal challenges as tasks and experiences towards attaining new levels, you might approach things differently.

TEN USEFUL EXAMPLES OF THE REAL-TIME WEB IN ACTION

Marshall Kirkpatrick, ReadWriteWeb

The Real-Time Web: it's more than just immediate delivery of Twitter messages to an always-on mobile device, disrupting the concentration that civilization is based on and bringing a rush to crazed social media addicts obsessed with the hottest new buzzwords. No, there are scores of companies building systems today that deliver very real value via the real-time web.

Here's our list of ten cool companies or services that make use of real-time web in what they do:

DATA PORTABILITY FOR GOOD

Michaela Hackner and Sandy Smith, Forum One Communications

Data is powerful.

Making your data public and accessible has numerous benefits for your organization. If you've been thinking, "Yeah, I get it. Data is the next buzz-word after Web 2.0. I’ll pay attention as soon as I get my Facebook and Twitter strategy off the ground," it's time to to take another look.

Not only will making your data accessible to others increase your opportunities for funding, it will also further your mission, grow the number of people invested in your work, and make your work and research credible to your existing and future audience base.

MEASURING ORGANIZATIONAL INFLUENCE IN SOCIAL MEDIA

John Kelly and Ken Deutsch, Morningside Analytics

Social media can be the handiest new gadget in an organization's tactical toolbox -- but how can you be sure that the time and dollars you are investing in it are really paying off?

Some goals can be pretty easily quantified -- such as dollars raised, actions taken, or members recruited. But what about equally important intangibles, such as increasing your organization's influence or shifting the public debate on your key issues?

Social network analysis can help you determine whether you are making an impact in these areas and help you more effectively target your efforts. It can tell you how widely your message is spreading and if it is spreading to the right audiences.

HAS YOUR ORGANIZATION THOUGHT THROUGH ITS SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY?

Dee Albritton, Fast Forward

You open the door to your office and see your Program Director in shorts and a t-shirt with a dubious message, holding what might be an inappropriate beverage. He is talking about outside activities. Close the door! Except the door you opened was to your social network space. It's too late to take it back -- and it could have been seen by clients, donors, funders, volunteers and clients.

Extreme circumstances? Not really. We think of social networking as a great way to get our message across, to raise funds, to communicate with our constituents. And it can be, but too often, we fail to see the other side. What may be just one fun photo of a staff member can destroy the professionalism of your office.

The mission and vision of your organization may be at odds with your social network choice. There are many things you need to consider:

THINGS WE LIKE

1. Researchers have found that health spreads virally: your friends can infect you with obesity, happiness, or smoking. We're just speculating, but if social media can work the same way, we may be on to something. (Also, you may want to start blocking spammy Twitter followers who post pictures of young women.)
2. Blackbaud has a great new Nonprofit Social Media Primer.

3. Is anybody else reading this stuff? Personal Democracy Forum reports that most large nonprofits in DC still aren't doing much with social media.
4. Maybe you're tired of it? Here are "10 Tips for Managing Social Media Burnout". Now, back to work on that Fan Page, you!
5. No, you're right, that's enough social media. Check out these Chuck Norris Action Jeans, instead: "specifically designed to be worn while you are kicking people in the face." Awesome!
6. Or, for you pacifists, how about this puppy? Oh, wow, is that cute, or what? It's like the opposite of a Weeble.
7. The Payphone Project has a Google Maps mash-up that lets you find a mailbox near you. Makes sense: payphones and mailboxes are both harder to find than a Shriner in a monster truck.
8. Jon Stahl suspects that nobody's actually talking about your nonprofit online. (He's nice enough not to add "neener-neener".)
9. On the subject of prognositication, Pew Internet asked some smart people about the year 2020.
10. Nobody can predict what the funniest protest signs will be in 2020, but at least we have these doozies from 2009.
11. Nancy Schwartz just revealed the best nonprofit taglines of 2009, and they're terrific. In the spirit of fun and Halloween, however, we'd like to propose a few zombie-themed rewrites:
• "A mind is a terrible thing to taste."
• "Filling pantries. Ending lives. Braaiiiins."
• "If you want to be remembered, do something memorable. If you want to be devoured, just stand there."
• "A head for business. A heart for the world. A spleen for breakfast."
• "Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. And run."
12. Finally, and completely unrelated to the previous frivolity, you can apparently get a flavor of bacon named after you. Might come in handy.

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