SocialButterfly

BloggersUnite.org Drives Earth Day Buzz

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 | Blog Talk, Blogging and the Blogosphere, Case Studies and New Orgs/Campaigns, Changeblogging: NP, activism, social change +, Social Media | No Comments

Can you swallow this math?

According to Copywrite, Ink, there were 88,000 blog posts on Earth Day (April 22) that were added to the already existing 2 million written earlier in the week. What’s even more amazing? …About 10% of all those blog posts, came from bloggers on BloggersUnite.org.

In all transparency, I’m a participating members in both the BloggersUnite and BlogCatalog communities, and we worked on a project together in the past, but dang—they deserve a big pat on the back for accomplishing their exact mission, harnessing the power of the blogosphere.

As mentioned on the BloggersUnite Earth Day event page, Earth Day 2009 was held April 22nd and also marked the beginning The Green Generation Campaign, a two-year campaign that will culminate with the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010.

More Green Goodness

• In honor of Earth Day, Colleague Mike Newton-Ward and fellow social marketer wrote a post on applying a social marketing approach to the environment and other green goodies that I highly recommend checking out. Bonus: He provides a slideshare presentation that outlines this even more! (But like a good blogging friend, I’m going to make you go to his post to access it. It’s worth it.)
• Looking for ways to take action? Check out EPA’s “Pick 5″ campaign to identify five ways you can start today to make a difference for our earth. Twitter tag: #p5e

One More Thought

So I say again, great job Tony, Rich and the whole BloggersUnite team–and count this posting just one more for the record book! And I ask you, the SB reader, how have you seen blogging communities drive awareness, change and/or action? I have some of my own ideas, but I’m more into hearing yours. =)

Tags: action, awareness, behavior change, blog, blog community, BlogCatalog, blogger community, blogger outreach, Bloggers Unite, blogging, blogosphere, clean, earth, Earth Day, Earth Day 2009, enviroment, good, green, Marketing, Mike Newton-Ward, online marketing, social action, social change, Social Marketing, Social Media, social media for good

NIDA and AIDS.gov Join Together in Blogger Outreach Effort for World AIDS Day 2008

Sunday, November 30th, 2008 | Blogging and the Blogosphere, Changeblogging: NP, activism, social change +, Social Media, government 2.0 | 6 Comments

“HIV/AIDS has now become a pandemic that has literally put the world at risk, affecting diverse populations in different ways”. –Dr. Nora Volkow, NIDA Director

HIV/AIDS has been a global epidemic for more than 27 years. Most of today’s youth have never known a world without it. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published national HIV incidence (new infections) that showed much higher numbers that previous estimates.

On December 1st, individuals and organizations will recognize World AIDS Day. This year’s theme is leadership – from all sectors, including government, but also leaders among individuals and families, communities, non-profits and other organizations.

Today, on December 1, many of us are joining together through our online activity in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Joining us are two government agencies: the National Institute on Drug Abuse and AIDS.gov.

Together, they both offer numerous free resources for the public that address the HIV/AIDS issue. This is why they are joining together, along with Bloggers Unite, to harness the power of the blogosphere for good and join in community.

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Personally, I find this effort important beyond the issue of HIV/AIDS, though I definitely do not want to undermine the issue by my saying that. World AIDS Day 2008 is also important because this (to the best of my knowledge) is the first official blogger outreach activity conducted by not just one government agency, but two. Working together.

Both the National Institute on Drug Abuse and AIDS.gov are joining together with Bloggers Unite to recognize World AIDS Day 2008 through a blogger outreach call to action to raise awareness not only of the issue, but also of the great, free, public resources both agencies offer. The online Webisode below, provided by NIDA, is just one of these many resources. For more information, please visit the Bloggers Unite Participation pa

Other resources include:

NIDA’s Learn the Link Campaign

Drug abuse by any route can put a person at risk for getting HIV. This is because drug and alcohol intoxication affect judgment and can lead to unsafe sexual practices, which put people at risk for getting HIV or transmitting it to someone else. NIDA has developed the following resources to help educate, share and increase awareness of the AIDS issue.

• Learn the Link: drugs + HIV Web site and Resource
• DROGAS + VIDA = Educate Web site and Resources in Español
• d’cisions Online Webisode Series
• Other Campaign Materials
• Drugs and HIV Resource Page

AIDS.gov

The Federal government has developed a wealth of HIV/AIDS testing, prevention, treatment and research information. In addition, the following are some of the many resources you can use to help response to HIV/AIDS.

• AIDS.gov blog about Using New Media Tools in Response to HIV/AIDS
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – HIV/AIDS
• Finding an HIV Testing Center Near You
• KNOWIT HIV Testing Text Messaging Campaign
• National HIV/AIDS Awareness Days
• Podcasts from AIDS.gov
• Updates from AIDS.gov from Twitter

What are your thoughts about the increasing rise of government agencies in the social media playground? Thoughts, concerns or comments. I know you’re not shy.

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Full disclosure: I am leading this effort at IQ Solutions for our client The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), along with AIDS.gov and Bloggers Unite.

Tags: #WAD08, AIDS, AIDS.gov, AIDS.gov blog, blogger outreach, Bloggers Unite, blogging community, government, government 2.0, government outreach, HIV, HIV/AIDS, NIDA, resources, World AIDS Day, World AIDS Day 2008

Survey This: Bloggers and Advertising

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 | Blog Talk, Blogging and the Blogosphere, Social Media | No Comments

In hopes to not influence responses, I will withhold my commentary on why I am inquiring about the topic: advertising on blogs. Instead, I will refer SB readers to the quick, 10-question survey I created, and look forward to sharing and discussing results. All responses are anonymous, unless designate your blog’s URL.

Click Here to Take Survey

Feel free to share, as the more people that share their experiences, the bigger picture we will receive. Feel free to share with friends and colleagues as I am depending on a snowball sample for this informal survey. Gratzi

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Tags: advertisers, advertising, best practices, blog advertising, blogging, ethics, journalism, Marketing, online advertising, Social Media, social media marketing, survey

The Government’s A-Twitter Take 2: It’s Official

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 | Blogging and the Blogosphere, Social Media, Twitterverse, government 2.0 | 10 Comments

For those that have been following the “Let Our Congress Tweet Campaign,” the news is in. Congress can now Tweet (as well as YouTube, Flickr and other 3rd-party sites) when communicating with constituents.

This campaign was the 1st official policy issue brought forth through Twitter. Individuals supporting the campaign were asked to tweet:

“Congress, change the rules. Talk to us on our social networks. http://letourcongresstweet.org/ Let Our Congress Tweet! #LOCT08.”

The campaign with links to media coverage can be found here. In response, the Sunlight Foundation has created @CAPITOLTWEETS has been created for those who want to receive tweets sent out by members of Congress. This allows interested individuals can get a @CAPITOLTWEETS widget to include on their blog or Web site if desired that updates every 10 minutes with tweets from Congress members.

The rulings official wording is and can be found on Speaker Pelosi’s blog:

In addition to their official (house.gov) Web site, a Member may maintain another Web site(s), channel(s) or otherwise post material on third-party Web sites. (more…)

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Related, in June, I compiled a list of ALL government Twitter accounts available. This post has been very popular, and many more have since been a) suggested and b) created. Thus, here is the update, beginning with none other than….Congress members who Twitter. Colleague @ariherzog also maintains the Government page on the Twitter fan wiki for future updates. Enjoy!

U.S. Senate

• Votes from the Senate floor
• @NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee

1. Joe Biden (D-Del.)
2. Sen. John McCain (R-Az.)
3. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.)
4. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)
5. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.)
6. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
7. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)
8. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

U.S. House of Representatives

• Votes from the House floor
• House Republican Conference Committee
• House Republican Policy Committee

1. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)
2. Gresham Barrett (R-S.C.)
3. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)
4. John Boehner (R-Ohio)
5. John Boozman (R-Ark.)
6. Michael Burgess (R-Texas)
7. Dan Burton (R-Ind.)
8. Eric Cantor (R-Va.)
9. John Culberson (R-Texas)
10. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.)
11. Randy Forbes (R-Va.)
12. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.)
13. Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.)
14. Tom Latham (R-Iowa)
15. Bob Latta (R-Ohio)
16. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.)
17. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.)
18. Candice Miller (R-Mich.)
19. George Miller (D-Calif.)
20. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)
21. Tom Price (R-Ga.)
22. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.)
23. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (D-Fla.)
24. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)
25. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.)
26. John Shimkus (R-Ill.)
27. Mark Udall (D-Colo.)
28. Tom Udall (D-N.M.)
29. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)
30. Rob Wittman (R-Va.)
31. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)
32. Ron Paul (R-Texas) (FAKE PROFILE)

Executive Branch (including Cabinet, departments, and agencies)

• The White House: Communications Office
• The White House: Office of National Drug Control Policy
• Department of Agriculture: Food Safety Information Center
• Department of Commerce: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: National Marine Sanctuary
• Department of Defense: DipNote Blog, @dipnote
• Department of Defense: Maxine Teller, Public Affairs
• Department of Defense: Mark Drapeau, Research Fellow, National Defense University
• Department of Defense: US Joint Forces Command
• Department of Defense: Department of Army: US Army
• Department of Defense: Department of Navy: Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division: HJ Armstrong, public affairs
• Department of Energy: Argonne National Laboratory
• Department of Health & Human Services: AIDS.gov (AIDS Conference)
• Department of Health & Human Services: AIDS.gov (Main)
• Department of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health: NIH Communications Office
• Department of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health: Jim Angus
• Department of Health & Human Services: Office on Women’s Health
• Department of Homeland Security: Emergency Preparedness
• Department of Homeland Security: Leadership Journal
• Department of Homeland Security: Transportation Security Administration blog team
• Department of Homeland Security: US Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Department of Interior: National Park Service: Brooks Camp at Katmai National Park
• Department of Interior: National Park Service: National Center for Preservation Technology & Training
• Department of State: Country-specific Information, travel department
• Department of State: Dipnote, official blog feed
• Department of State: US Embassy, London
• Environmental Protection Agency: EPA
• Environmental Protection Agency: EPA News Releases
• Environmental Protection Agency: Greenversations blog
• General Services Administration: Federal Citizen Information Center
• GSA: Office of Citizen Services and Communications: GovGab
• GSA: Office of Citizen Services and Communications: GobiernoUSA.gov
• GSA: Office of Citizen Services and Communications: USA.gov
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Astrobiology Institute
• NASA: CoLab, advising and consulting on NASA collaboration
• NASA: Desert RATS
• NASA: Earth Observatory, echoed at Natural Hazard
• NASA: GLAST
• NASA: Hubble Space Telescope
• NASA: Jason-1 project
• NASA: Kepler
• NASA: Lunar Atmosphere & Dust Environment Explorer
• NASA: Lunar Crater Observation & Sensing Satellite
• NASA: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
• NASA: NanoSail-D mission, first solar sail created for nanosatellites
• NASA: NASA EDGE
• NASA: PharmaSat
• NASA: PreSat
• NASA: Public Affairs
• NASA: Solar Dynamics Observatory
• NASA: Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite
• NASA: Emma Antunes, web manager
• NASA: Ames Research Center: Public Affairs Office
• NASA: Ames Research Center: Kimberly Ennico, payload scientist
• NASA: Goddard Space Flight Center: Linda Cureton, chief information officer
• NASA: Goddard Space Flight Center: Ravi Sharma, engineer
• NASA: Innovative Partnerships Program: Doug Comstock, director
• NASA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Cassini, flying around Saturn
• NASA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Earth Vital Signs
• NASA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Mars Exploration Rover
• NASA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory: News, unofficial feed, not endorsed by JPL
• NASA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Phoenix Mars Lander
• NASA: Langley Research Center: Bil Kleb, computational aerothermodynamist
• NASA: Marshall Space Flight Center: Daniel Kanigan, public affairs
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency: Chris Rasmussen, social software knowledge manager/trainer
• Office of Personnel Management: OPM
• Securities and Exchange Commission: SEC Investor Education
• Social Security Administration: Lee Alviar, public affairs specialist in Dallas
• U.S. Geological Survey: USGS
• U.S. Geological Survey: Earthquake & Tsunami Warning
• U.S. Geological Survey: Dave Govoni, paleontologist
• U.S. Intelligence Community: Andrea Baker
• U.S. Intelligence Community: Heather Cox
• U.S. Intelligence Community: John Hale
• U.S. Peace Corps
• U.S. Small Business Administration: Business.Gov

Additional

• Bob Barr (L), former U.S. Representative from Georgia, presidential candidate in 2008
• John Edwards (D), former U.S. Senator from North Carolina, presidential candidate in 2004 and 2008
• @secgen - The U.N. Secretary General
• @peacecorps - The Peace Corps
• L.A. California Fire Department
• Mike Huckabee - Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate

U.S. State Government Leaders

1. @schwarzenegger - California Gov. Arnold Schwarsenegger
2. @GovernorGibbons - Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (No longer actice and beware the fake account @FakeGibbons)
3. @govgranholm - Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm
4. @johncherry - Michigan Lieutenant Gov. John Cherry
5. @PeterKinder - Missouri Lieutenant Gov. Peter Kinder
6. Mark Boughton, Mayor of Danbury, Connecticut
7. R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota

U.S. State Government

1. @coloradogov - Colorado Government
2. @kygov - Kentucky Government
3. @vermontgov - Vermont Government
4. @UtahGov - Utah Government
5. @SCGOV - South Carolina Government
6. @www_maine_gov - Maine Government
7. @rigov - Rhode Island Government
8. @wsdot - Washington State Department of Transportation
9. @NevDCNR - Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources

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Tags: agency, Ari Herzog, congress, federal, Federal Twitter, government, government 2.0, government twitter, let our congress tweet, list, Sunlight Foundation, tweet, twitter

The Social Marketing Blogosphere Continues to Expand: Welcome Mike Newton-Ward

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 | Blog Talk, Blogging and the Blogosphere, Education and Resources, Social Marketing, Social Media, SocialButterfly | 2 Comments

I am excited to announce the addition of a great social marketing voice to the blogosphere, Mike Newton-Ward at Social Marketing Panorama, where he hopes to offer a 360-view of social marketing.

My first encounter with Mike was when he graciously helped me with my graduate project this past Spring. Though we’ve only ‘met’ through phone, email and now blogging, he is a very knowledge, helpful and passionate voice for the social marketing field.

Mike outlines a few reasons why he entered the blogosphere:

• Exchange ideas about social marketing
• Extend the discussions from Georgetown’s social marketing list serv
• Create community
• Share resources, as well as his personal observations in the field

Mike’s addition to the blogosphere is a special treat for all of us as he invites us to:

“to observe the world around you, listen to what people are saying, reflect on your experiences, and share them.”

Social marketing’s presence in the blogosphere continues to expand and gain traction. Join the metamorphosis. Come fly with us in this growing movement called social marketing.

• Spare Change, Nedra Weinreich
• On Social Marketing and Social Change, Craig Lefebvre (**Did you check out Lefebvre’s recent post about medical and health bloggers? I suggest you check it out for a link to the free research report!)
• Subject to Change, Vanessa Mason
• Health Marketing Musings, Jay Bernhardt
• Social Marketing Panorama, Mike Newton-Ward
• SocialButterfly, Yours Truly

For more social marketing-related blogs, my links page offers many more resources and listings!

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Tags: blogosphere, Blogs, Craig Lefebvre, health, Mike Newton-Ward, Nedra Weinreich, Social Marketing, Social Marketing Panorama, SocialButterfly, Vanessa Mason

Technorati releases New Studyrati on the State of the Blogsphere

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 | Analytics and Measuring Metrics, Blogging and the Blogosphere, Case Studies and New Orgs/Campaigns, Interesting Articles, Social Media | 2 Comments

Geoff Livingston today created a post sharing how the blogosphere is not just for millenials and people aged 30 and under, citing that 50% of bloggers are 35 and over. Today, Technorati introduced it’s 2008 State of the Blogosphere report which support this assessment.

The report is divided into 5-days of coverage.

• Introduction
• Day 1: Who Are the Bloggers?
• Day 2: The What And Why of Blogging
• Day 3: The How of Blogging
• Day 4: Blogging For Profit
• Day 5: Brands Enter The Blogosphere

Technorati has been releasing its annual study that analyzes the current trends and themes of the blogosphere since 2004. The 2008 study is unique in that it marks the first time Technorati surveyed bloggers (1,079 according to TechCrunch) directly about the role blogging plays in their lives, the tools used, time and resources used, and more!

This study is one of various studies that have recently been revealed. Though there are fluctuations in the results, all lean towards the result that blogs are here to stay. Other studies include (as listed on Technorati)

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Tags: blog research, bloggers, blogging, Blogs, demographics, metrics, motivations, report, State of the Blogosphere, statistics, study, success, Technorati

6 Would-be-Conversations with 6 Wonder-Bloggers I’d Love to Meet

Thursday, September 18th, 2008 | Blog Talk, Blogging and the Blogosphere, Social Media, SocialButterfly | 10 Comments

1. Guy Kawasaki: I just started reading Guy’s book “The Art of the Start,” and already, I’m hooked and have developed my mantra. Thank you to my boss for recommending it. (We’ll see if my boss keeps up on my blog now. =) I was already a Kawasaki fan due to my interactions and experiences with Alltop.com. Plus, when I found out about the pregnant man a month before it debuted on Oprah from Guy’s Truemor’s site, I thought, this is no ordinary guy.

Conversation: What ingredient turns you into the Energizer Bunny? On a more serious note, in the very beginning, when you were with Apple and all, what made you finally let go of the ledge, and follow that first big idea?

2. Rohit Bhargava: Not only does he work for a very well established company at Ogilvy PR, but he doesn’t let himself get comfortable. He seems to always be on the go, expanding his own personal horizons, and living his passions and interests. I feel that, from reading and following his blog, he is in the business because he truly loves it - a rare quality in a marketer.

Conversation: Let’s talk about 1) writing a book 2) publishing a book and 3) a book tour. This year Rohit published Personality Not Included, and in doing so, not only elevated his personal brand, but also expanded his following, further established his name, helped elevate his company, met some cool peeps, seemed to have buckets of fun, and made a mohawk chicken cool in the process. Not an easy task, especially the chicken.

3. Craig Lefebvre: Dr. Lefebrve’s blog has encouraged and inspired me professionally as he writes, researches, practices and pretty much breathes all items social marketing. I am continually learning from him and inspired by his leadership in a field that is working to grow itself and its professionalism.

Conversation: Dr. Lefebvre has a range of experiences in the states, and from what I gather, abroad. Plus, he’s a professor. I am a journalism major; thus, I love asking questions. And professors have loads of information, but they share that information with a learning curve in mind. Not to be flashy. Not to gain attention. But to share….hence open publishing. First item: Where do you envision the field 5, 10, 20 years from now?

4. Geoff Livingston: Geoff seems like an all-around great guy, go-getter, and someone who ‘gets it.’ Not only has he published a book, started a growing company, leads a great team (go Qui and friends), is a recognized leader in the field, is an off-line role model, but he also sincerely wants to do good. This is the apple in the eye of Socialbutterfly readers. Keep that eye on Livingston Communications and the Buzz Bin. They are going to re-define how we do business.

Conversation: Business is still business, but I’ve read on the Buzz Bin that you all have some tricks up your sleeves that you will be rolling out. And, that this could include a social entrepreneur-type set-up. Now, this is a conversation I am all ears (all two of them) about hearing.

5. Beth Kanter: If you are not familiar with Beth, I recommend getting familiar. She is the go-to-guru for all items non-profit tech. A fundraiser, writer, blogger, practioner, speaker and sector role model, Beth continually gives us her best. I follow Beth’s blog like it’s my job. She offers the tips, she begins conversations that need discussing, highlights those in the field, calls us to action and gets us involved.

Conversation: When do you sleep? Do you even sleep? Though she’s posted about her experiences and shares them, there is something to be said about hearing it first hand. This is why I want to hear specifically about Beth’s outreach and work in Cambodia. How, why, when? I’m an avid traveler, and the fiance and I really did consider the Peace Corps vs. real jobs last year, so would love to hear more how Beth has combined her love for social media, non-profits with work abroad.

6. Chris Brogan: If there is anyone’s writing style I love, it’s Chris Brogan’s. He lays it out. Step by step. And, he magically succeeds in being relational, personal, yet professional and educational all at the same time. Not only do I love Brogan’s resourceful blog, but also his helpful e-newsletters, which had a great free e-book about personal branding the other week.

Conversation: About personal branding…(smile), let’s explore that some more shall we? Now, I am probably one of very few, who have yet to see Brogan present, let alone have the honor of a face-to-face conversation. My question would be: how do you manage multiple personal brands? Or, let me re-phrase: multiple personal interests –> online. Another one: what are the biggest mistakes people make with their personal brand online?

What about you? What would be the conversation you would want to have if you got to meet some of your own personal wonder-bloggers?

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Tags: author, beth kanter, bloggers, blogging, book, career advice, Chris Brogan, conversation, Craig Lefebvre, education, Geoff Livingston, Guy Kawasaki, inspiration, Livingston Communications, Marketing, marketing & PR, personal branding, personal development, Rohit Bhargova, Social Marketing, Social Media, social media marketing

The Bookshelf: 15 Essential Social Marketing Feeds

Thursday, July 24th, 2008 | Blogging and the Blogosphere, Education and Resources, Social Marketing, Social Media, Useful Tools | 10 Comments

Going off of Ogilvy PR’s “Essential 15 Pack” of RSS feeds to follow, I’ve developed the “Essential 15 Feeds for Social Marketers.” To follow the feed, just click on the name and the link. Enjoy!

Blogs

1. Spare Change, authored by social marketing expert Nedra Weinreich (Link corrected*)
2. On Social Marketing and Social Change, authored by social marketing thought leader Craig Lefebrve
3. Public Sector Marketing 2.0, authored by Canada’s up and coming social marketing and social media marketing professional Mike Kujawski
4. Osocio, the number one spot for all things social advertising and social change relataed
5. Beth’s Blog, authored by nonprofit tech guru Beth Kanter
6. Health Marketing Musings, authored by CDC’s National Center for Health Marketing Director Jay Bernhardt
7. Have Fun * Do Good authored by Britt Bravo, informing you on all nonprofit related news items
8. Ogilvy’s 360 Digital Influence Blog covers social marketing topics occasionally.
9. Social Marketing Blog, a newly discovered blog just started this month by a man named Jack. So far, there is only one post, but if the rest of his posts are anything like his first, then the social marketing field is in good shape. Welcome Jack!
10. Getting Attention blog, authored by Nancy E. Schwartz offers insights and tips on nonprofits communications and programs.
11. Subject to Change, authored by Vanessa Mason, a young and up-and-coming social marketer currently doing AIDS relief work in Mozambique.
12. Socialbutterfly, authored by yours truly, and highlights the movement of social marketing as well as related social media stories.
13. What Do You Stand For? authored by Cone Communications Inc. Though this blog is linked to a cause marketing firm, the blog covers a range of social marketing related topics, offering fresh insights and useful resources.
14. Getting to the Point, authored by Katya Andresen, talks about all-things nonprofit marketing and what she deems in her book - ‘Robin Hood Marketing.’
15. Pulse and Signal, authored by Andre Blackman, who writes about the intersection between health and technology. DavidRothman.net is another one stop shop for all you need to know regarding the health 2.0 developments.
16. YOU. That’s right. Your blog, whether current or in the works, can become the essential blog. In the arena of social marketing, we NEED more voices to galvanize the field further. If anyone would like to start a social marketing blog, please feel free to contact me with any questions, brainstorming or for support at socialbutterfly4change@gmail.com. The more of us the better. =)

Note: There are many, many more helpful blogs out there that I currently subscribe to, and I wish I could have named them all. Many of the 15 essential also cross boundaries with others fields beyond social marketing, mainly because, there aren’t that many social marketing based voices within the blogosphere.

For more ideas about which blogs to follow, I suggest you check out my links page, the ChangeBloggers wiki, the NonProfit Blog Exchange and the Kivi Leroux Miller’s Carnival for Non-Profit Consultants.

Tags: blog reading, Blogs, Craig Lefebrve, good, Marketing, Nedra Weinreich, nonprofit, Ogilvy, Ogilvy PR, reading, RSS feeds, social change, social good, Social Marketing, social marketing blogs

Blog Pitching: 5 Big Tips on What Not To Do

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 | Blogging and the Blogosphere, Experience This? | No Comments

Steve Field, over at The D-Ring, a blog about the military combined with social media, posted a great comical entry about his frustrations in receiving press releases as a blogger on behalf of various groups’ blogger outreach strategies.

Some tips Mr. Field mentions and are pretty practical:

1. Make the address personal.

The heading ‘To whom it may concern’ may be a bit un-inviting to the blogger whose name is obviously apparent on the homepage or in the about section.

2. Following the first tip, have you read the blog?

Show you have an interest or at least have a general idea about what the blog is about and its purpose.

3. Don’t assume bloggers know about what you are talking about.

If pitching a new product, service, campaign, idea, your latest invention….describe it.

4. Don’t be a link begger.

Offer something in content or service that is useful to the blogger or the blogging community.

5. Don’t contact a vegetarian blog about the latest McDonald’s big juicy burger.

Be targeted and relevant. Just like in traditional pitching, many of the same rules can apply.

Let’s see if we can extend the list (thxs Beth Kanter for the extending the list idea)!

What tips do you have regarding how people/groups contact bloggers? either what to-do or what not-to-do….

Tags: beth kanter, blog, blog outreach, blogger outreach, blogging, link building, Marketing, online marketing, pitching, public relations

Blogger Outreach Series: Law Issues Part B, Privacy

Saturday, March 15th, 2008 | Blogging and the Blogosphere, Ethics and Legality, Privacy and Security | No Comments

Continuing in my blogger outreach series, this post will focus on law that addresses privacy in regard to bloggers and blog content.

Privacy: Currently, privacy is not included in the bill of rights, but as technology increases, it’s developing into quite the controversy. To protect yourself as a blogger and the subjects included in your posts, it is important to understand the law surrounding online privacy issues and the increasing issues involving privacy

There are 2 ways to approach privacy:

1. Your privacy as a Blogger AND
2. the privacy of the people involved in your blog’s content

To protect your privacy as a blogger, there are some different approaches with strengths and benefits. These include:

Blog Completely Anonymously

• Create a Psuedo-name
• Do not give away identifiers in the blog’s content
• For COMPLETE anonymous blogging, try Invisiblog, Tor and Anonymizer. These are applications that help you create an anonymous blog where the creators and hosts of the blog won’t even have access to your information, can hide your IP address, and allows for anonymous editing of your blog.
• Limit Your Audience
• To avoid being found in search engines or in Google, install a ‘Robots Text File Generator’ into your blog’s architecture.
• Set-up an alternative email address.
• Update from a public computer.

Pros/Cons: Privacy protected. But, if you desire more traffic, hits or views, this could limit you. And, you don’t get credit for your hard work and time into up-keeping your blog.

Blog Anonymously, but control who knows who you are

• Create an alias…but with talking with friends, family, co-workers, or online contacts, feel free to share that it is your blog. But, you don’t have to put your name on the blog. This allows you to control who can identify the blog as yours, and allows you to control to some degree who knows you have a blog.
• This is the option this blog SocialButterfly has chosen for a variety of reasons. Eventually, I will more than likely reveal my true identify, but in the meantime, I am collecting feedback on what employers, friends, colleagues think of someone wearing a ‘blogger’ hat.

Pros/Cons: Allows you to get feedback on what others think of your blog and protects your privacy to some degree meaning that random unique visitors can’t identify you without first contacting you and YOU deciding to disclose your identity to them based on your interactions with them.

Blog Openly, but control the type of information visible

• Put a picture of yourself on the home page, along with a concise bio about your background and why you are blogging.
• Consider the blog as a way to extend your ‘personal brand.’ So, your communications about yourself need to help build and add credibility to your blog.
• Allows creator to develop long-term personal connections and relationships with readers.

Pros/Cons: This allows you take full advantage of social media at its best. As a small business owner, it allows to you communicate with possible consumers and to extend your business’ message and purpose and connects consumers to you on a more personal level. Cons include that you are personally identifiable on the web. Anyone can find your blog, know its yours, and may judge you on your blog before meeting you or making a personal connection with you. This could also affect potential employers or current employers.

Blog Completely Openly

• This is an open, anything goes approach to blogging.

Pros/Cons: Your belief in free speech is rightly communicated and your views are open, honest and shared. However, you may have to provide evidence and reasons why you say what you say. Basically, be prepared to back yourself up. Cons could include potential employers shying away from you, or wanting to fire you because of your blog.

Some more points to remember as a blogger are found here including laws on political speech, unionizing, whistleblowing, blogging when you work for the government, and legal off-duty activities. Blogging about work activities when you work for the government is actually protected under the First Amendment according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Lessons from Privacy for people involved in the blog’s content:

• If you plan on posting images, videos, or audio of subjects you interview or interact with, gain their consent before posting this material - especially if the material contains minors.
• Get parental consent if the content relates to minors, and blur the minors face or voice if possible since laws pertaining to minors are much more strict.
• If you shoot film or take photographs, to be safe, make sure it is done on public property unless you have the participants consent. This will avoid trespassing and invasion of privacy issues.

As blogging increases, it is important to note that many people have different feelings about anonymous-related blogging and the laws continue to change as the technology matures. And as a disclaimer, I reiterate, I am not a lawyer.

For more information on electronic privacy issues, see EPIC, the electronic privacy information center.

**If you are an expert in this area, please contact me as I’d be curious on your thoughts and feedback on this post. Thanks! **

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