Yesterday was another informational interview. I have recommended to anyone that I know who is looking for a job to go on as many as early as possible. Anyway, back to the informational interview. I had coffee with a friend of a friend who makes her living as a professional grant writer. Sometime over last summer, I decided that my life work was going to be grant writer. I literally read every book in the Austin Public Library system on writing grants, researching grants and how grants are evaluated. I learned a lot, and tried to apply for some jobs, but before I could get a job, I needed experience. So, I have volunteered to write a grant for an organization that is looking to do something that I am actually passionate about! I was very lucky to be able to write my first grant on something that I actually like!
Anyway, we chatted about how her experience as a contractor/consultant has been and the unique challenges facing grant writers who do not work directly for an organization. She mentioned that she does not just do grant writing, she also will work to develop programs, evaluate past (failed) grants and mentor someone who is looking to expand their career into grant writing. She said that one of the biggest things to focus on right now is the services that I will and will not provide. Creating boundaries within my work will help me to be most effective at my job, most effective for the organization and efficient.
I think that this was the thing that struck me most about our conversation—that setting boundaries for when I pick up the phone, should a client call, what to agree to do, etc. is the most important because you know your own strengths and capabilities better than anyone. I believe that acknowledging these things will help you to become successful!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
SXSWi
SXSW Interactive is just wrapping up here in Austin. I wish that I could have gone because there were so many different amazing resources for nonprofits and other geeky things that I am interested in. There were a lot of panels and talks on social media and the ways that nonprofit organizations can use them to their advantage.
Last year, the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas decided to do something unique during SXSW. Using a 4 person street team and 50 Bloggers, Twitterers, and Facebook users they were looking to increase donations to the CAFB. Tyson Foods said that it would donate 100 lbs of food for every person who went to a specific website and filled out a form.
Neither Tyson nor CAFB knew what would happen next. Over 4800 people signed the pledge! Additionally, 714 people who signed the pledge gave an additional $28,000. 95% of these donors were first time donors!!
One of the most amazing things was that one single Tweeter was the source of 967 visits to the website to sign the pledge. Who would have thought that one single person could drive so much traffic?
The age of social media is here and nonprofits can clearly be successful by using it. SXSWi may be a unique case because it attracts techie, social conscious people. This was a perfect thing for Tyson and for Capital Area Food Bank to launch last year.
This year, Capital Area Food Bank just came out with an iPhone app. I was curious what the “iPheedaneed” app was all about, since they are one of the first (possibly only?) nonprofit to have an app. The app includes news and facts about CAFB and their mission, recipes and events. One of the most innovative things is a game called “Catch the Can”. I tried to play it and failed miserably, but kudos to CAFB for having something interactive on the app!!
Last year, the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas decided to do something unique during SXSW. Using a 4 person street team and 50 Bloggers, Twitterers, and Facebook users they were looking to increase donations to the CAFB. Tyson Foods said that it would donate 100 lbs of food for every person who went to a specific website and filled out a form.
Neither Tyson nor CAFB knew what would happen next. Over 4800 people signed the pledge! Additionally, 714 people who signed the pledge gave an additional $28,000. 95% of these donors were first time donors!!
One of the most amazing things was that one single Tweeter was the source of 967 visits to the website to sign the pledge. Who would have thought that one single person could drive so much traffic?
The age of social media is here and nonprofits can clearly be successful by using it. SXSWi may be a unique case because it attracts techie, social conscious people. This was a perfect thing for Tyson and for Capital Area Food Bank to launch last year.
This year, Capital Area Food Bank just came out with an iPhone app. I was curious what the “iPheedaneed” app was all about, since they are one of the first (possibly only?) nonprofit to have an app. The app includes news and facts about CAFB and their mission, recipes and events. One of the most innovative things is a game called “Catch the Can”. I tried to play it and failed miserably, but kudos to CAFB for having something interactive on the app!!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Just listen while you work
I have gone on many informational interviews recently. They are amazing and helpful, and I have met and spoken with many interesting people. It is far out of my comfort zone since meeting with people I don’t know makes me sweat. Not like exercise sweat, but nervous sweat.
I did what any perfectionist, type-A over-achiever would do—I prepped. A lot. I researched the organization that the person worked for, Googled them and then came up with a list of about 30 questions to ask. When I met my interviewee, I bombarded them with awkward questions and took notes on my paper.
As I have gone on more and more of the informational interviews, I have become more comfortable. They still make me sweat, but at least it is not pouring off of me like before. I have put away the questions and the pen and paper, and now focus on having a genuine conversation with this person who has taken the time to meet with me. I still ask questions, only this time, I remember the questions and it isn’t so awkward.
To my shock, I think I have gotten pretty good at them! One of things that I make sure to ask at every interview is “What skills do you think are the most important for someone in the nonprofit industry?” The answers have ranged from learning HTML to having the ability to have many different roles in the organization and be comfortable with it.
This past week, I went on one of the best informational interviews to date. When I asked the skills question, my interviewee thought for a second and then said “Listen, you need to be able to listen”. Wow.
The nonprofit side of my head started thinking that this was a great idea. If someone is donating their money or spending their free time volunteering, there must be a reason behind it. Listening to them—figuring out what motivates them can strengthen your mission as an organization. People want to be heard, and for the most part they enjoy telling their stories. Listening to them makes them feel like a valued member of your nonprofit community.
Then the for profit side of my head started thinking—if you can listen effectively, you can figure out how to market your organization most effectively to that person. You can figure out which way to approach them so that their passion can be utilized most effectively.
As we continued to chat, my great interviewee spoke about how difficult it was to actually listen. To be present and actually listen is an incredible skill. This may be a huge challenge for nonprofits with limited resources and stressed staff, but if they can just find a few moments to listen to the stories of their constituents, it will surely pay off in the long run.
I did what any perfectionist, type-A over-achiever would do—I prepped. A lot. I researched the organization that the person worked for, Googled them and then came up with a list of about 30 questions to ask. When I met my interviewee, I bombarded them with awkward questions and took notes on my paper.
As I have gone on more and more of the informational interviews, I have become more comfortable. They still make me sweat, but at least it is not pouring off of me like before. I have put away the questions and the pen and paper, and now focus on having a genuine conversation with this person who has taken the time to meet with me. I still ask questions, only this time, I remember the questions and it isn’t so awkward.
To my shock, I think I have gotten pretty good at them! One of things that I make sure to ask at every interview is “What skills do you think are the most important for someone in the nonprofit industry?” The answers have ranged from learning HTML to having the ability to have many different roles in the organization and be comfortable with it.
This past week, I went on one of the best informational interviews to date. When I asked the skills question, my interviewee thought for a second and then said “Listen, you need to be able to listen”. Wow.
The nonprofit side of my head started thinking that this was a great idea. If someone is donating their money or spending their free time volunteering, there must be a reason behind it. Listening to them—figuring out what motivates them can strengthen your mission as an organization. People want to be heard, and for the most part they enjoy telling their stories. Listening to them makes them feel like a valued member of your nonprofit community.
Then the for profit side of my head started thinking—if you can listen effectively, you can figure out how to market your organization most effectively to that person. You can figure out which way to approach them so that their passion can be utilized most effectively.
As we continued to chat, my great interviewee spoke about how difficult it was to actually listen. To be present and actually listen is an incredible skill. This may be a huge challenge for nonprofits with limited resources and stressed staff, but if they can just find a few moments to listen to the stories of their constituents, it will surely pay off in the long run.
"Call to Action" buttons
I came across this link today and I thought that it was really relevant, especially for those organizations to look at their website quickly and determine whether or not they are using the best practices that are listed in the article. A nonprofit may have a lot of different "call to actions", so making sure that they are not cluttered on the page, or losing their effect is important.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Another Benefit of Nonprofit having a strong social media presence
Many nonprofits already know the benefits of becoming involved with social media and how it can bring in new volunteers, donors, and advocates. Yes, that’s true, but having a strong social media personality can also benefit an organization by showing a corporation that your nonprofit is a “cool” and that this is something that a corporation would like to partner with for a sponsorship.
Think about it—a corporation wants to improve its image by supporting a nonprofit. The corporation has a strong Facebook presence with a few thousand fans, a Twitter account with a lot of followers and an iPhone app. When the corporation is looking for a nonprofit, will they choose the nonprofit with the template website and Facebook page that hasn’t been update in months? Or will they choose the nonprofit with the strong social media presence?
There may be some overlap with the followers of the corporation and the nonprofit, but each would get more “eyes” on them with a partnership. They would mutually benefit from a sponsorship, and everyone would be happy.
If your nonprofit is approached for a corporate sponsorship, it is important to talk about what your social media obligations will be. Most nonprofits think about what the signage will be at their events and to include their logo on the programs and website, but what about the social media aspect? How many times will the corporation mention your cause and how many times do you need to mention the corporation?
Think about it—a corporation wants to improve its image by supporting a nonprofit. The corporation has a strong Facebook presence with a few thousand fans, a Twitter account with a lot of followers and an iPhone app. When the corporation is looking for a nonprofit, will they choose the nonprofit with the template website and Facebook page that hasn’t been update in months? Or will they choose the nonprofit with the strong social media presence?
There may be some overlap with the followers of the corporation and the nonprofit, but each would get more “eyes” on them with a partnership. They would mutually benefit from a sponsorship, and everyone would be happy.
If your nonprofit is approached for a corporate sponsorship, it is important to talk about what your social media obligations will be. Most nonprofits think about what the signage will be at their events and to include their logo on the programs and website, but what about the social media aspect? How many times will the corporation mention your cause and how many times do you need to mention the corporation?
Where in the world is your non-profit?
One of the newest social media tools to catch on is 4-Square. The user sets up an account and then “checks in” to different companies using the GPS on their mobile device. For instance, if you went to the coffee shop down the street, you would check in using 4-Square. You could then see who else had checked-in in the businesses around you. You can also see who has been dubbed “Mayor” of the business you checked in to. This is the person who has checked in the most.
For profit companies (like coffee shops) have a pretty easy connection to 4-square. They can give prizes to the “Mayor”, then can give a small discount to anyone who checks in, etc.
How can nonprofits use this to their advantage then? Most nonprofits do not have a place where people frequently go—like a coffee shop or a grocery store. At a fundraising event, they can give prizes to anyone who checks in. They can partner with a local business who can give a penny for every person that uses 4-Square to check in.
It will be interesting to see whether or not 4-Square is something that takes off, or whether it will be a flash in the pan, and fizzle out quickly. I don’t think that this should be one of the first social media presences for a nonprofit, but if an organization already has established itself with social media and wants to know another tool that they can use, 4-Square could be a great thing to “check” out!
For profit companies (like coffee shops) have a pretty easy connection to 4-square. They can give prizes to the “Mayor”, then can give a small discount to anyone who checks in, etc.
How can nonprofits use this to their advantage then? Most nonprofits do not have a place where people frequently go—like a coffee shop or a grocery store. At a fundraising event, they can give prizes to anyone who checks in. They can partner with a local business who can give a penny for every person that uses 4-Square to check in.
It will be interesting to see whether or not 4-Square is something that takes off, or whether it will be a flash in the pan, and fizzle out quickly. I don’t think that this should be one of the first social media presences for a nonprofit, but if an organization already has established itself with social media and wants to know another tool that they can use, 4-Square could be a great thing to “check” out!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Communication Personalization
As part of research for a job interview, I signed up for multiple email campaigns. I wanted to get the experience from the user's point of view, and to see what things are good about an email campaign and what aren't. So my inbox has been inundated with emails from these nonprofits.
I wanted to see what the sign up process was like--how it easy it was to find on the website, whether there were options for which communications to receive, etc. Some of the websites were incredibly easy to use and there were others that took a bit of hunting to find. If an organization wants to get new supporters, advocates and donors, it needs to be easy to find!! I know that everyone blogger says this, but it is really important!
Most of the organizations that I signed up with sent an immediate confirmation email and I began receiving emails immediately. This was great--i signed up and while I was still feeling passionate, I was given the tools to do something about it!
However, one of groups that I signed up with took over a week to send me a confirmation! Everyone today wants immediate gratification, and taking over a week to start receiving emails made me question whether or not I wanted to support this organization that takes that long to send a confirmation!
I think the moral of the story is that nonprofits should have an immediate response or confirmation to strike while the iron is hot for their supporters. Nonprofits should also have an "outsider" try to use the website and give feedback on its ease of use. Sometimes we get so familiar with our own websites that we forget what it's like for someone on the outside, so asking a volunteer to investigate it will help to get another perspective.
I wanted to see what the sign up process was like--how it easy it was to find on the website, whether there were options for which communications to receive, etc. Some of the websites were incredibly easy to use and there were others that took a bit of hunting to find. If an organization wants to get new supporters, advocates and donors, it needs to be easy to find!! I know that everyone blogger says this, but it is really important!
Most of the organizations that I signed up with sent an immediate confirmation email and I began receiving emails immediately. This was great--i signed up and while I was still feeling passionate, I was given the tools to do something about it!
However, one of groups that I signed up with took over a week to send me a confirmation! Everyone today wants immediate gratification, and taking over a week to start receiving emails made me question whether or not I wanted to support this organization that takes that long to send a confirmation!
I think the moral of the story is that nonprofits should have an immediate response or confirmation to strike while the iron is hot for their supporters. Nonprofits should also have an "outsider" try to use the website and give feedback on its ease of use. Sometimes we get so familiar with our own websites that we forget what it's like for someone on the outside, so asking a volunteer to investigate it will help to get another perspective.
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