I Support Hope


I’ve been listening to Shaun King for several years now. I’m not the only one.

It’s not just that Shaun is persuasive. He is very, very persuasive. He sets daunting goals, dedicates every resource he can scrounge, works his ass off, and meets that goal, smiling all the way. Then, for reasons no sane person can fathom, he does it again.

He is a do-er. Those who know me, know how much I adore the do-ers!

Like Shaun, I believe that good ideas matter and that they can craft real change in the world. My experience over 15 years with social good campaigns is that consumers prefer their ideas and their change simple and manageable.

The best campaigns tell stories. They are integrated and, of course, they have goals and metrics – but they work best when they tell stories. The best campaigns make people care. People want to care.

The best campaigns go to where the people are and ask them to trade their time, talent and treasure. The best campaigns ask for action. Share. Join. Pledge. Give.

This is not slactivism.

Like Shaun, I believe that all positive action stacks up and matters. People want to matter.

But I’m not just supporting Shaun this time. I’m supporting this broad network of likeminded folks around the world that have signed on to support Hope. I support the HopeMob.

These are ordinary people who may not be able to lift all children out of poverty, but they can provide hope – one Christmas gift at a time. Individuals who may not be able to rebuild Haiti, but they can send hope – one tent at a time. Sometimes, it’s just one tweet at a time.

Actions matter; and they stack up. Don’t let them tell you otherwise.

HopeMob will be telling stories with the help of filmmakers, photographers, social workers, Twitter, Facebook, apps, and an interactive website. Their mission is to find stories others have missed and provide “practical ways (not just financial) to provide immediate hope to the real people featured in that story.” There is so much need in the world. Everyday need like groceries. Epic need like clean water. To set a goal to provide hope, one person at a time, in a world so filled with despair is a little bit crazy. That’s why we’re in!

The Causemedia Group and its teams at StudioGood, KOMPOLT, Patron and WhatGives!? are joining HopeMob as a Founding Partner and will match all donations up to $10,000 made now through January 25th.

I want you to gather your time, talent and treasure and come join us.

Support Hope.

Joey Leslie

Viral Video Checklist

 

Client: We would like our video to go viral.
Me:  Um, okay.  Here’s our checklist:

  • Monkeys in hats.
  • Famous athlete who just finished rehab/winning a national championship/doing something charitable (preferably “for the kids”).
  • Current pop hit mashed up with client jingle, created by a 12-year-old in another (preferably less-fortunate) country.
  • Spectator minor injury caused by collapsing tent (preferably wedding), tripping waiter (preferably carrying cream pie), and/or baseball/football (preferably to the groin).
  • Coyote stepping off cliff, turning to face camera, holding up “Uh oh” sign, and falling (preferably landing in a puff of smoke).
  • Complete control of the internet.

And it all needs to look like you found the footage in the attic of a deserted house just outside a small town in a presidential primary state.

Let’s do it!!

We live in an era of visual stimulus and whether you’re an international brand or a local nonprofit, you need to use imagery to tell your story.  However, just as you use your thesaurus to find just the right words to describe your product or mission, you need to use it to select the proper visual representation.

video, announcement, commercial, endorsement, promotion, television show, web series, demonstration, public service announcement, presentation, slide show, photo essay, montage, music video…

What are you trying to show to people?  What is the best way to represent that vision?  And, this one really matters – how can you connect emotionally with your audience?

It ain’t all piano-playin’ possums, people.

Although everyone wants their video to be seen by as many people as possible, a better, more effective goal is for your visual message to seen and embraced by as much of your target audience as possible.

So here’s a better checklist:

  1. Research your audience.
    Who already loves you?  Working moms? College students?  Large animal veterinarians?  You can’t craft a clear message until you can define your pool of passionate supporters.
  2. Research information platforms.
    Don’t blindly grab at the latest thing. Working moms are probably on Facebook, but college students do everything on their smartphones; tech lovers may be on Twitter, but you’ll still reach most people over 50 via email.  What imagery format fits in with your target audience’s preferred delivery method?
  3. Research video format options.
    Ah, for the simple days when it was VHS versus Beta. Now it’s flv vs. mp4 vs. mov vs. wmv vs. the thing that’s being invented this afternoon.   You need to understand how a video will be seen before you can decide on what will be seen.
  4. Decide what it is you really want to happen.
    If you just want to spread your name, then bring on the monkeys and the babies and the embarrassing pratfalls.  If you have a specific call to action (Purchase? Download? Donation?), don’t bury that request in unrelated photos of waterskiing squirrels.  (Unless, of course, you’re selling water skis.  Or squirrels.)
  5. Keep it short.
    For the love of Pete, keep it under four minutes.  Keep it under two if you can.  Your core message is probably three words.  Buy this car. Donate to UNICEF. Download this coupon.  The other minute and 57 seconds should give you plenty of time to make ‘em laugh and/or make ‘em cry.
  6. Title it. Tag it. Share it.
    “PSA 2012″ is a verrrry bad title.  Put your name or genre in the title.  “Bob’s Possum Sanctuary” or “Possum Hijinx” or “Safe Haven for Animals”.  Try not to get too cutesy; be clear.  Then add as many tags as might be relevant.  Tags are what will bring up your video in someone’s search results.  Finally, share it with everyone you can.  Remember, everyone in your audience has their own audience.  Encourage people to spread the word!

I realize I haven’t given you any kind of specifics as to content of your video.  That’s because Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Goldman’s pronouncement holds true for feature films and powerpoint presentations alike.  Nobody knows anything.  There’s no magic formula for successfully grabbing an audience.  We cannot explain the failure of some highly anticipated films, nor the success of those TV commercials showing people exasperated with blankets lacking armholes.  It’s a mystery.

So.

Be as smart as you can.  Be clever.  Be concise. Be audible.  (Nothing kills a video faster than bad sound.)  And be persistent.  One video or slide show won’t change your business.  It’s just part of the conversations you’re consistently having with your supporters and customers.  Right?

[Photos go viral, too, you know.]

Marijane Miller

Get Your Holiday Spirit Out Of Layaway…


Hey, all you Secret Santas, I have a great idea for you.

Okay, I stole it.  But a good idea is a good idea, so here it is.

Go pay off someone’s Christmas layaway bill.  Go to Kmart or WalMart or any of the marts that have layaway, walk up to the counter, and hand ‘em twenty bucks to apply to someone’s tab.  Sound crazy? Well, lots of crazy people are doing it all across the country. WhatGives!? Read more »

Marijane Miller

Passports with Purpose is Back! (are back?)

 

My passport has expired. There was a time when that would be impossible to imagine. I love to travel and even when my bank account doesn’t allow me to go to Pasadena, much less Paris, just knowing I could go makes it bearable.  But it has been gathering dust for a couple of years now and it quietly became scrap paper last spring.

Then one of my favorite fundraisers popped up and I knew it was time to go to the post office, have the never-good photo taken, fill out the form, and send in my money for a new passport. Passports with Purpose is here again! (Or should it be “are here again”? Oh, English language, how you befuddle me…) WhatGives!? Read more »

Marijane Miller

Holiday Party Hotlist 2011


Ho ho ho, here we go!

It’s time again for our annual list of fun fundraisers that give you the nice cozy giving glow to go along with that rum punch warm-a-licious feeling.  You know you’ll be out and about all month anyway, so why not enjoy yourself and make a difference at the same time!

Take a look around and find a holiday benefit near you.  Tell us about a great event in your neighborhood and we’ll add it to the list!

[Descriptions were taken directly from websites.]

8th – Second String Santa 23rd Annual Holiday Party; Charlotte, NC
Attendees are encouraged to bring new toys that will be given to the Salvation Army. General admission will be available at the event: $20 donation with a gift and $40 donation without. Admission includes complimentary wine, beer and light appetizers. WhatGives!? Read more »

Marijane Miller

IKEA’s Annual Soft Toy Initiative for Kids Worldwide


The holidays are upon us, ushering in good cheer, good food and social good campaigns by major brands. Now through December 24th, IKEA is raising funds to educate children around the world with its annual Soft Toy initiative that encourages customers to support education programs by UNICEF and Save the Children. For every cute and cuddly soft toy (finger puppet, stuffed animal or book) purchased, IKEA will donate $1.35 to the aforementioned organizations. WhatGives!? Read more »

Melissa Jun Rowley @MelissaRowley

Thanks, Giving, and Your Hometown…


Howdy, friends and neighbors.

This is the traditional WhatGives holiday post where we list all the swell places you can donate your time, resources, and cold hard cash to those who could use a little help.

But you know what? You don’t need a list of websites or “resources”. All you need is to look around your own neighborhood to find dozens of ways you can lend a hand.

  • There’s a food drive at your local grocery store or middle school.
  • Your community’s food bank needs, well, everything. (year ’round, by the way)
  • You can volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen, donate clothes to a thrift store, give a lift to an elderly neighbor, or read books to kids at the library.
  • A local nonprofit could use help with their website or their correspondence or their year-end accounting or just about anything else you’re good at.

WhatGives!? Read more »

Marijane Miller

NONPROFIT CONFERENCE CALENDAR, Winter 2011-2012

[Editor's note: We realize that a large number of conferences have nonprofit tracks or elements. We tried to focus on gatherings targeted specifically to nonprofits, but please let us know if we missed an event you feel has value to this community. (Just drop the info into the comments section and we'll keep updating the list.) Thanks!]

Descriptions were taken directly from conference websites.

DECEMBER

1st  Nonprofit Conference on Fundraising Development Speaker Series;  McLean, VA
The session will feature 3 panels – corporate, foundation, and individual and giving circle donors. Each one hour panel discussion will provide different perspectives allowing participants an opportunity to have greater insight into what funders are looking for. WhatGives!? Read more »

Marijane Miller

Jon Bon Jovi Opens Pay-What-You-Can Restaurant

Source: thesqueeze.net

Jon Bon Jovi is no stranger to leveraging his celebrity for social good. Over the years, the performer has been a huge advocate for civic engagement and the fight against homelessness. So it comes as no surprise that the rocker has once again put his money where his mouth is by opening a pay-what-you-can restaurant to encourage volunteerism. The Red Bank, New Jersey establishment, the JBJ  Soul Kitchen, is an extension of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (formerly the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation), which has been serving meals since 2009, and providing affordable housing for those affected by poverty and homelessness since 2006. Instead of paying to eat with money, people can volunteer at the kitchen to earn free healthy soul food dishes or contribute donations. WhatGives!? Read more »

Melissa Jun Rowley @MelissaRowley

The Art of War (and Cause Marketing) on Facebook


“If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not be imperiled.”

Sun Tzu did just fine without any help from our pal Megan Strand, but her recently released whitepaper is very helpful to all you cause marketing generals out there planning a Facebook campaign.

Published via the Cause Marketing Forum and entitled “Cause Marketing on Facebook: Truths, Tips and Trends from Pioneers”, Megan’s analysis is particularly useful when directed at something as fluctuating and fickle as the Facebook platform – what Sun Tzu would consider Expansive Terrain. WhatGives!? Read more »

Chris Noble @cfnoble