Good Works Grapevine

Today Diane Rehm had a great show on social media featuring Gina Bianchini, Andy Carvin, Josh Bernoff, Manuel Hernandez and Amy Worley. Check out the podcast!

There has been an ongoing conversation on one of my listservs discussing how to use Twitter and the comment came up - “Do you really need a strategy for using Twitter”? The author couldn’t understand why there was so much talk about how to use Twitter and proposed that we just use it and not put so much thought into it. In my work life, I spend all my days developing strategies for clients, so not having a strategy for how I use tools is foreign to me. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Do we always need a strategy when utilizing social media tools? Let’s debate!

So you’ve set-up your social network - Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Fickr, Twitter - now what? One of the critical paths to success within a social network is participation. Social networking does not to adhere to the “if you build it, they will come” mentality. You must engage your audience and participate in the conversation. Blog regularly. Comment on the blogs of others. Comment on Facebook “walls”. Comment on the photos of others. Reach out to your constituency and understand their needs. Then, do what you can to support them through regular discussion. Share your ideas. Spend a little time everyday feeding and tending to your network. Social = human interaction. People want to be seen, heard and be part of something bigger than them. By talking with your audience, your social network is sure to thrive and grow.

I’m very excited to let you know that GoodDogz.org is BETA testing our new online NING community! We are in the process of a re-design and the social community will be a huge, new offering for dog lovers. Exciting stuff. Please leave a comment if you would like an invitation to test!

Network for Good is a great resource for non-profits. I highly recommend checking their site out regularly for new info on how to improve fundraising efforts, online outreach and just plain good ideas. Social media can be somewhat hard to get your head around in terms of effective implementation and knowing what outlet will work for your organization. There is a lot of trial and error. Here is a great “toolkit” for vetting the waters of social media before diving in head first. Thanks Network for Good!!

Social Media Starter Pack for Nonprofit Organizations | Online Fundraising & Nonprofit Marketing Resources & Tips | Network For Good Learning Center

We’ve been in the process of selling our house and buying something with more land for our pups. So, posts have been a little sporadic. Please hang in there - as things slow down, I’ll start writing more!

In the meantime, here’s part of an email I received from a good friend about the animal welfare efforts in Maricopa County, AZ. This is one way to “git ‘er done”!

Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay. The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who’d like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows. The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. Teresa and I adopted a Weimaraner from a Maricopa County shelter two years ago. He was neutered, and current on all shots, in great health, and even had a microchip inserted the day we got him. Cost us $78.

The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.

I just realized that Flock has changed the way that I use the web. I am much more social. I am much more in tune with what’s going on in the world (and with what’s happening with Britney!). I am able to multi-task like a mad woman. And as more folks flock to Flock, the harder its makers are working to stay ahead of the curve.

In short order, Flock will be releasing an “eco-edition”, delivering environmentally friendly, green content directly to your browser. I don’t recycle and I drive an SUV, so this is likely the closest I’ll get to being environmentally conscious. Thanks for supporting my personal sustainability, Flock!

Check it out…

Flock Browser - The People-Powered Browser | Flock

Megan Fitzgerald has been guiding me through a personal branding process. It’s been really interesting and has taught me a lot about myself and how I am viewed by others. Some bad - some good. All little gold nuggets. If you’re ready to REALLY know what people think of you, I would highly recommend it. Here’s a great article by Megan about personal branding and positioning. Check it out!

Career By Choice: Personal Brands are Uncovered Not Created

I’ve had many conversations lately on whether Twitter has any real business value. It’s a tough sell, but I’ve personally found many great uses for Twitter, both in my business life and with my friends. This is a really great article from doshdosh.com digs into Twitter, provides different points of view and I think sums up how you can make Twitter work for you.

17 Ways You Can Use Twitter: A Guide for Beginners, Marketers and Business Owners

This is a great way to call your constituents to action without immediately begging them for money. Kudos to the Breast Cancer Fund for this fantastic campaign. And now introducing…my “hooters”!

I am protecting my hooters because I’m very attached to them. I will save the world one breast at a time by choosing safe cosmetics.