Social media is all the rage, but for time- and resource-strapped nonprofit organizations, maintaining a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest seems like just another hassle in a long list of more urgent priorities.
But a local social media expert says effective, strategic social media usage actually can help a nonprofit's bottom line. It can help build an engaged network and drive donations in less time that you might think.
"More people check Facebook every day than read newspapers or listen to radio, and if nonprofits want to remain relevant, they need to be more involved in social media," says BootCamp Digital Founder Krista Neher. "When done correctly, social media becomes an efficiency booster."
Neher, along with Dayton author Randall Moss, have organized their first
Nonprofit Symposium to help organizations better use social media tools.
Moss and David J. Neff, authors of
The Future of Nonprofits: Innovate and Thrive in the Digital Age, will be among more than 15 events speakers. Other speakers include Ehren Foss from
HelpAttack!, a social media fundraising site, and Danielle Brigida, social media outreach coordinator for the
National Wildlife Federation.
"We'll be showing other nonprofits have used social media successfully. Our goal is education and inspiration. We'll overview what technology and tools out there, talk about soliciting donations online and how to use social and digital to achieve goals," Neher says.
The Nonprofit Symposium is May 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, at the Red Cross building on Dana Avene. A networking event follows. The cost is $97 and includes lunch and the networking Happy Hour.
By Feoshia Henderson
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