Some photos from the CreateAthon reception last night! It was amazing!
I’m really sad now that it’s over, but what an amazing experience.
How will I carry the CreateAthon torch?
I’ve been avoiding this post.
This is the one post that I don’t want to write in any way, because it means that CreateAthon is over. It is the last assigned blog post for this semester.
Now how will I spread the word about CreateAthon?
Well, in part, I believe that I’ve already done this. I’ve talked to the Creative director, art directors, and others at the agency that I intern with. I’ve also talked with local Richmond business people, those that are extremely tech-savvy. I and another CreateAthon-er (Alana) talked to the founder of tumblr, David Karp, about CreateAthon.
Pretty much any chance that I get to talk about CreateAthon, and introduce what it is to someone, I take that chance. This is an idea that I believe everyone should know about, so because of that I want to talk about it as much as I possibly can. I’m sure to some people, it gets annoying, but I think that CreateAthon is a brilliant way to simply give back.
(This person is amazing by the way, she’s the one that got me hooked on CreateAthon)
I’m most likely going to talk to some of my old high school teachers as well, and see if there could possibly be a mini-CreateAthon that could be established at the high school level. Maybe they help just one client, instead of breaking into teams and helping 12 different clients, but I think with all the different electives offered in high school (or my high school at least) with students learning business skills, art, yearbook, newspaper, management, automotive, etc., that there could possibly be a class dedicated to giving back to the community. Or maybe it’s not a class, maybe it’s a club set up in high school. Either way, I think it’s a great way for students to see how they could be helping the community around them, and having that kind of experience on your college application, really helps. It shows that you’ve done something real. I realize that the CreateAthon event for them would be a little bit different when it comes to set up, but maybe it’s a 12 hour event during the day, instead of the full 24. Like I said, an intro to CreateAthon events out there for the younger audience.
Losing an hour?
I’m so glad that the CreateAthon event doesn’t happen during daylights savings time.
I’m not sure I would be able to handle losing an hour. I mean, one precious hour. That’s a whole lot of work that can be accomplished in just 60 minutes. Especially when you’re creating a brand new campaign, from scratch, in 24 hours time.
Just something to think about.
CreateAthon has a video up!!
So, in response to what I had written yesterday, with all my worries and such exploding out of me, I received an email today from my client with a large folder full of high quality photos along with links to video footage, testimonials, and copies of the videos themselves.
I’ve also been linked up with a few schools, so that way I can email teachers, students, and even parents to get their individual points of view on VASS.
There is the point of view of one particular student that I would love to get. I’ve heard her back story, and because of what I’ve heard already, I think that she would make an amazing candidate for a testimonial of how VASS has helped her.
Ok, that’s it for today, I just wanted to say, that while I was freaking out yesterday about not having anything, now I’m overwhelmed by the amount of information I have, and I’m definitely more comfortable with that.
*shh.. don’t tell anyone, but I kind of like being overwhelmed and the pressure that goes with it, I find that my work is better*
One week…
It is one week until CreateAthon. ONE WEEK!
Ok, so *deep breath* I thought I was prepared, a little anxious of course, but prepared.
I’m looking over emails with my nonprofit now, one’s that are coming in more frequently than ever before, and I’m starting to freak out a bit. I feel really unorganized, which is probably contributing majorly to the freaking out.
I have all this stuff that I want to do for VASS, and all I’m thinking right now is “what if I don’t have the right materials from them, so I can’t provide the best work, or even the work they need??!“
I’m waiting on getting pictures from them. Body copy. Necessities for the printed works. Web necessities. And along with those, some of the extras that I’ve asked for.
I’ve also tried to get a hold of students at some of the schools that VASS works with, and haven’t heard back from any of them, which is really freaking me out. I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!! GET BACK TO ME ASAP!
I want to hear stories from the students p.o.v. (point of view). I want to hear stories from the schools’ p.o.v., and even the teachers’ p.o.v.
I especially want to hear stories from the board members’ and STEM job providers p.o.v. I feel like the stories from the STEM job providers would be some of the most interesting, since they’re not a point of view we hear often when it comes to education.
ok. I’m done with the freaking out rant now.
Interesting talk on why videos go viral.
Could we use something like this for a nonprofit campaign, something unexpected and out there that could pull positive attention towards our nonprofits?
5 Ways to get them to act..
My mentor, Bill Novelli, once said to me, “If we’re simply in the business of ‘building awareness,’ we might as well be shoveling pamphlets out of airplanes.” The point is, nonprofit marketing (and fundraising) is about motivating people to do something - not just think something. Channel attention into action if you want to change the world.
So how do you get people to act? You want to speak to their values and connect to them emotionally, obviously. But it also helps to have a sense of urgency. Don’t just tell them to act, show why they need to act NOW.
Here are five ways to build that sense of urgency.
1. Set a deadline. As any procrastinator knows, nothing concentrates the mind like an imminent deadline. Set a goal and tie it to a date. People will be far more likely to give or take action as the deadline approaches.
2. Make it close. When people sense you’re close to the finish line on a goal, they are more inclined to help you cross it. If you’re close to your goal, show how people can put you over the top. It creates tremendous urgency.
3. Create scarcity. When people feel an opportunity is running out, they are more inclined to take action. “Get your tickets now - only ten seats left at our gala!” is better than “attend our gala!”
4. Be specific. As I like to say, it’s easy to say no to something hard and hard to say no to something easy. Make your call to action clear, quick and easy and people are more likely to act now.
5. Build a campaign - or join one. On this topic, the Case Foundation and Razoo have a new guide to fundraising under the umbrella of giving days: “How Giving Contests Can Strengthen Nonprofits and Communities.” Check it out here for tips on using these giving days to generate donations for your cause.
Source: ht.ly
What is ‘education’?
What is education?
-For many, the term ‘education’ strikes memories (either good or horrific) of school.
But I think to really understand what education is, we need to dig deeper than just memories.
-Definition:
- The act of process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.
-
The result produced by instruction, training, or study: to show one’s education
ok, so first off, I’m going to say, BLAND!
There is absolutely nothing about those definitions that makes the term ‘education’ endearing in any way.
This is how education should feel to people.
The term ‘education’ shouldn’t be dreaded by any means.
Let’s look at education in a different way to help get this point across.
-The knowledge that you gain everyday, from simple curiosity of looking a topic up or finding out a random fact like “hyperventilating before getting in the water allows you to hold your breath longer underwater”, contributes to education.
-Expanding your education takes very little effort. (Yes, there is effort involved, but not as much as you may think.) A simple question is a great way to expand your education. Ask yourself a question, something you’re curious about, something you actually want to know. And here comes the effort… Find out the answer!
I can guarantee that you’re most likely gaining an education every single day. You may not realize it, but if you’re learning, you’re gaining an education.
Non-Profits and social media hysteria
For everyone trying to do a social media campaign with their non-profit, this is a good article to read over and remember!
According to a new report from Fenton on social media (download here after noon ET), there are several stages to what I would call social media hysteria.
Stage 1: Urgency. As in, “Everyone’s doing it. We need to do be doing it. Set up a Facebook page. And start tweeting!”
Stage 2: Existential Handwringing. As in, “Wait, what are we doing here? We’ve gotten some fans and followers but are we really attracting more donors and members this way?”
Stage 3: Disappointment. As in, “This social media thing is a bust. It takes a ton of time and I’m not sure we’re getting enough out of it.”
Fortunately, this kind of angst is preventable by setting goals and measuring them in simple but meaningful ways. Specifically, Fenton lays out an elegant framework:
- “See” Metrics. These metrics track eyeballs or impressions. They measure your exposure - though not necessarily your impact.
- “Say” Metrics. These metrics are when people take your messages and repeat them verbatim across their networks. This gives signs people may be more engaged with your cause.
- “Feel” Metrics. These metrics track the degree to which people get involved with your message - they comment on your Facebook content or they react to your Tweets.
- “Do” Metrics. These are the best - people donating, volunteering, signing a petition etc. It’s where you want people to be!
For each metric, ask yourself:
Who is engaging? What are they responding to? What are they saying? What does it mean?
This kind of questioning will lead to smarter reflection and better results. Don’t wring your hands - just put on your thinking cap!
Source: ht.ly
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