• 53% of social network users follow brands (which includes nonprofits)
• Social network users are more likely than other online consumers to be found at political rallies
• Women watch more videos, men watch longer videos
• Social media and blogs continue to dominate our online time as consumers, on our computers AND phones

Add to those statistics, Pew’s recent research:

• 65% of adult internet users now say they use a social networking site daily

And you have the numbers that should make you assess and then re-assess your social media strategies.

Quickly:

Step 1: Do you have a social media presence? On which platforms?

Step 2: Do you have social media policies in place?

Step 3: Do you have a social media strategy? How detailed is it? (i.e. ‘have I tweeted today?’ vs. ‘What message is our organization working on today?’)

However the most important takeaway from Nielsen’s data is this graph here:

That 140,336 is for a single month alone in 2011 (specifically, May of 2011); and 140,336 is actually short for 140,336,000. That’s 140 million unique visitors for the month of May.

So if 65% of the adult population goes online everyday, and 140 million of them are checking their Facebook pages, it would probably be a good idea to make sure that your nonprofit has:

1. a presence on Facebook
2. a social media strategy in mind
3. interesting content to keep your fan count growing and to make sure your followers keep coming back.

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What do you think? Are you finding Facebook a helpful tool for your organization?

Are there other tools that you prefer to use in addition or instead?

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Sabeen Ahmad is BCC’s New Media Director, crafting and implementing new media strategies that meet the online needs of BCC’s non-profit clients.  She has a versatile background incorporating social media, writing, and healthcare. Sabeen is experienced in active engagement via social media, networking, and email campaigns and has developed training programs and conducted seminars for large institutions and small nonprofits alike. For more about Sabeen, click here.

For more information on how your nonprofit should use new media, contact us at 301-664-9000 or email: sahmad@bcc-associates.com

Follow @fornonprofits

Bethesda, MD – BCC developed and implemented a regional media outreach plan for a major report released on July 13^th by the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program which garnered coverage in print and electronic outlets around the country.

“Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment” assesses the size and growth of the nation’s clean/green economy and provides detailed new data on the quantity and types of jobs being produced by this sector.   The report also ranks all 50 states and the 100 largest metro areas for the size of their clean economy.

The story was picked up by many of the largest newspapers in the country, including the Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Newsday, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Detroit News.  Most of the Business Journals also ran the story.   Many smaller and medium sized market papers did stories as well, including the Hartford Courant, Charlotte Observer, Nashua Telegraph, El Paso Times, Wisconsin State Journal, and the Austin American-Statesman.  These stories were comprehensive and in-depth and included photos and graphics.

For more information on the report, visit http://www.brookings.edu/metro/clean_jobs.aspx.

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BCC is a full-service consulting firm specializing in campaigns, communications and constituency building. We work with museums, private schools, advocacy organizations, universities and other non-profits throughout the Washington area, the mid-Atlantic region and internationally. For more information about the company, visit www.bcc-associates.com.

Follow @ForNonProfits

I think at least three things:

First, these people are entering their prime earning years, present economic conditions notwithstanding.  As such, non-profits should look closely at these constituents for those with exceptional earning power, keeping in mind that many of these baby boomers will be recipients of bequests and trusts from their parents which is the so-called “inter generational transfer of wealth” going on right now in our country.  Involving them now in your cause could mean sizable gifts 10 to 20 years down the road. It’s time to get to know these people!

“Involving [baby boomers] now in your cause could mean sizable gifts 10 to 20 years down the road.”

Second, the 50+ crowd will be the leaders of non-profits for years to come, as those of the WWII generation retire from positions of power they have held in non-profit organizations.   Non-profits should begin stocking their boards with these people, as their positions and experience can help in many ways.

“The 50+ crowd will be the leaders of non-profits for years to come…”

Third, age 50 is a time when many people begin to think about estate planning.  Turning 50 is a watershed event: you begin to think about how to protect your family in times of crisis, what is most important to you, what charities you care about most.  And questions begin to arise: should I make a will?  (the majority of American this age do not have one!), what about life insurance?  annuities?  service opportunities?  Non-profits should look at their files for 50+ donors who have been with them for a long time, then work to educate them about the importance of estate planning.

There are many opportunities to put this crowd to work for your cause.  Make a plan and get going!

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Michael J. Brodie has over 30 years of experience working with non-profit organizations in the US and abroad and directs the firm’s fundraising practice area. He works with clients to develop strategic fundraising plans, create case statements, conduct feasibility studies and provide on-going counsel for capital and endowment campaigns. He is also experienced in planned giving, major gift fundraising and organizational development to achieve maximum fundraising results.

For more about Michael, click here.

Follow @ForNonProfits

BETHESDA, MD – Brodie Collins Consulting (BCC) New Media Director, Sabeen H. Ahmad will be featured on a panel on Social Media on April 2nd, 2011, at The South Asian Summit, in Washington, DC.

The South Asian Summit 2011 is a national conference hosted by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) and the South Asian Law Students Association at the Washington College of Law, American University. Ms. Ahmad will be speaking to organizational leaders, advocates, non-profit staff members, lawyers and students from around the country on best practices for social media strategies in the non-profit arena.

South Asian American Leading Together (SAALT) is a national, nonpartisan, non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to foster an environment  in which all South Asians in the United States can participate fully in civic and political life, and have influence over policies that affect them. SAALT works to achieve its mission through a social justice framework that incorporates the strategies of policy analysis and advocacy, community education, local capacity-building, and leadership development.

Brodie Collins Consulting is a full-service consulting firm specializing in campaigns, communications and constituency building for U.S. and international non-profit organizations. For more information, visit www.bcc-associates.com.