Facebook is Diggin' it

This week Facebook introduced the "like" button that can be used on any site anywhere., similiar to "Digg". It will be interesting to see how this will be used, and if it will catch on. Then again, it seems like anything that Facebook does will catch on. I was thinking of the ways that nonprofits will be able to use this to their advantage--will the sites get info on who is liking their site/article? Will they have access to any information on the sites? Facebook has said that the "liking" will allow advertisers to target their audiences more accurately, but what will happen with nonprofits? Also, I wonder if Facebook will have a grant program (similar to Google Ad Grants) that allow nonprofits to follow up with some of those who "liked" their pages...

Facebook Fans Valued at $3.60 Each [STATS]

I came across this article (Facebook Fans Valued at $3.60 Each [STATS]) on multiple sites yesterday, but it was interesting to see exactly how these calculations were made. I don't think that this is particularly accurate (although it is probably as close as it could possibly be). It would be interesting to do this valuation for nonprofits and it is about as good an argument as any could be for noprofits to start focusing on social media. The value for gaining more and more followers and come up with unique information and updates for their fans. At a value of $3.60 a piece, gaining more and more fans can only help a nonprofit get more support for their organization.




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Status messages the automatic way!!

Recently, I became part of the Progressive Exchange Listserv. Yesterday, someone from water.org or one.org sent out an email asking all of the PXers to join World Water Week. There was a link to the Facebook application for the week, so I was immediately intrigued and clicked on the link. I was given the opportunity to choose exactly how involved with the campaign I wanted to be. I had the option of donating my status messages and/or my profile picture for the campaign. I decided that I would just do the status message, and I have posted a couple of status messages from water.org already encouraging others to donate their messages, and to learn more about World Water Week and the plight of those who do not have access to water.
I am happy to donate my status messages—I didn’t even have to do anything since the app does all the work for me. I am a little afraid that this is a “Big Brother-y” type app since it automatically updates my status messages and it can change my profile picture. I hope that my friends aren’t getting spammed by the app, and I can always check and update my preferences for the app at any point during the week.
A few days ago, I wrote about how our social networks have become our editors for news, videos, issues, etc. I don’t know if my network on Facebook is clicking on the links or not for these posts, but I feel good knowing that my friends and family (the only people in my Facebook network) know that this is important to me.
Has this become the future for advocacy in nonprofits? Will it be as easy as creating an app that will give you access to status messages and profile pictures? Will this be cost prohibitive for some organizations? But does this cheapen advocacy for an organization? I don’t feel like I am really a part of World Water Week—sure I gave my status message, but I’m not doing anything more than that…It will be interesting to see if this catches on or not.

Ok, so it’s been a while since I’ve talked about my job search. Maybe I haven’t even spoken about it at all on my blog. I’m not quite sure. Anyway, I was turned down from my dream job. I thought this job, company and I were meant to be—it was seriously just about everything that I could dream of. And it was in DC! It just wasn’t meant to be.
I have to admit the job search has me just a little jaded. I am currently working at 3 other jobs that are just to tide me over until I get my “Big Girl” job. I hear on the news all the time about people who have been unemployed for months, weeks, etc. I don’t want to think about how long it has been for me to under-employed (or “unemployed” according to the people hunting me down to pay my student loan debt), but it’s been a while. I’m holding out though—I know what I want in a job and in the organization that I work for. I’ve become astute enough through my education and my information interviews to know that I shouldn’t just take ANYTHING no matter what.
Anyway, after the dream job fell through, I found a similar job posting with another organization. I have a contact there, but he is on vacation until next Monday. Which means that he won’t even respond to my email until…maybe Wednesday at the earliest?
This is a for-profit SaaS company with offices in Austin and the job that I want is in DC, where they have other offices. I have been contemplating taking out some Facebook ads that are targeted only toward people with this company’s name in their profile. The ad would like to my personal website, which has my resume and other personal information on it.
I think I’m going to go for it—nothing to lose right? As one of my friends said “In this economy, you have to do whatever you can to get a job!” So, I guess I am just going to go for it. Maybe.

The most useful one of these I have seen yet!

In my research on ways your nonprofit can use social media, I have come across a bunch of "10 ways your nonprofit can best use social media". However, this one is the best one that I have found yet. I think that the tips mentioned are incredibly useful and relevant for nonprofits. One of the tips that resonated the most with me is the one about making social media social. Most people enjoy seeing pictures of themselves and their friends online. Add in the fact that they are doing something good, and they get some bonus points!

However, nonprofits do need to get permissions before tagging people in pictures. Some people don't want to be tagged (even if they are doing something positive), so make sure that the registration form/sign in sheet has an opt-in for this.

This can also get a nonprofit more followers to your Facebook, Twitter, etc. because people will want to see when the pics are posted, details of the event, etc.