The Keys to Mobile-Display Relevance (ClickZ)
If you are considering adding mobile to your advocacy strategy, make sure to read this article. The top three important factors to consider: location, creative and platform.
Infographic: How the Top 50 Nonprofits Do Social Media (PR Daily)
Check out this awesome infographic, created by Craig Newmark (of Craigslist fame.)
Sunlight Foundation Follows Lobbyist Tweets (POLITICO)
If you’re a lobbyist, there’s a good chance that Sunlight Foundation is watching you (on Twitter, that is.) Says Sunlight Foundation Gabriela Schneider: “This is a way for Americans and people online to see how certain lobbyists are wielding their influence.” Find out more about the nonpartisan org here.
The Technology Firsts in Ohio’s Issue 2 Campaign (techPresident)
techPresident’s Nick Judd: “Yesterday’s Ohio elections culminated an unprecedented online-driven issue campaign in which both sides honed online tools and tactics that in some cases they were using for the first time.” Those tactics included using social media to organize a march and the orchestration of massive conference calls.
By Heather Cote
Cross-posted from the Adfero Group blog
We’ve all seen horrible presentations. Most of us have probably given a few in our day. But in the professional world, public speaking is an unavoidable fact of life. Whether you love or loathe giving presentations, people on both sides of the coin can be really, really bad at it.
In reminiscing on the truly awful presentations I’ve seen, I came up with 4 basic pitfalls that can doom any public speaker:
I’ve listed this as the first issue to tackle, because it leads directly to the other three. Luckily, this is also one of the easiest pitfalls to correct – because much of it doesn’t actually involve any public speaking. In fact, you can prepare for much of your presentation by yourself in your underwear if you want to.
So, how can one prepare for a presentation? (more…)
Cross-posted from the Adfero Group blog
With the quick popularity of Google+ (G+), many social media gurus are proclaiming the slow but sure downfall of Facebook. To that, I say one thing: not going to happen. Here’s why:
In a very rare and embarrassing moment (and for what feels like the first time), Google made a really big deal about a really bad product. Google Buzz was a complete failure on multiple fronts. From privacy lawsuits to simply bad aesthetics, Google’s seemingly invincible persona suffered a breach in its armor with a subpar product that was clearly a reactive idea in contrast to their usual forward-thinking, proactive approach – and people noticed. The best team in the league showed a weakness, other teams capitalized on it, and now they’re playing catch up, with Facebook remaining the “face” (pun intended) and authority on social networking. (more…)
Facebook Images: Why Your Feed Is Crammed with Visual Gags (Slate)
You may have noticed that images are playing a bigger role on Facebook than ever before. Memes, infographics, and “image macros” are taking over; read this article for ideas on how to create a viral image to get your message across.
Wall Street Will ‘Occupy’ Social Media (POLITICO)
“If rage against Wall Street and economic inequality is fueling the ‘Occupy’ movement, its conduit to the masses (and each other) is social media— and Twitter in particular” says Patrick Gavin. Corporations are definitely listening to conversation over social media channels, but is it a mistake to respond?
Is the White House Doing Enough for ‘We the People?’ (techPresident)
The new online petition platform was an ambitious project to begin with, but some feel that it’s already not living up to its potential.
5 Ways PR Pros Can Use Mobile Streaming and Online Chats (PR Daily)
Technically, this article is aimed at PR pros; however, most of the tips can be used by advocacy professionals too!
Cross-posted from the Congressional Management Foundation blog
In 1998, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) embarked on a ground-breaking research project: to study best practices in congressional websites with the goal of providing Congress with guidance on how to use this emerging technology to improve constituents’ communication with, and understanding of, the institution. Three years later the initiative was boosted by a two-year grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts to create the Congress Online Project, in association with The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management.
The project had an ambitious goal: develop a methodology for evaluating more than 600 congressional personal office, committee and leadership websites. CMF spent a year conducting focus groups with citizens, examining private sector research, and even polling reporters on their expectations when interacting with congressional websites. We then engaged in a thorough assessment process, assigning grades to every website on Capitol Hill. The strategy was: by highlighting the best practices, and playing to politicians’ natural competitiveness with a grading system, Congress would better utilize online communications tools, thereby better serving citizens. (more…)
QR Codes: Useful Tool, Neat Toy or Robot Barf? (ReadWriteWeb)
Check out this post and decide for yourself: are QR codes worth integrating into your marketing strategy?
Tweet Like a Pro: 8 Twitter Tools to Try (PR Daily)
The title says it all. This article cuts through the sludge and delivers the best Twitter applications (many of which will save you time.)
Come hear Adfero Group’s own Sue Zoldak and Purple Forge’s John Craig discuss how organizations are using Mobile apps to organize, mobilize and engage their target audiences in grassroots advocacy, lobbying and campaigning.
Are you currently using Mobile to reach your organization’s assets? Find out more and sign up here.
Date: Thursday, November 10, 2011, 6:00 p.m.
Location:
Adfero Group
1666 K Street NW, Suite 250
Washington, D.C.
Schedule:
6:00 – 6:30 Meet & Greet
6:30 – 6:40 Introductions
6:45 – 7:30 Sue Zoldak (Adfero Group) & John Craig (Purple Forge)
7:30 – 8:00 Q&A
All the Buzz: Infographics (MediaPost)
In case you haven’t noticed, infographics are everywhere these days. Why? According to Len Stein, an infographic has the “ability to quickly communicate almost anything in an engaging, relevant and compelling image that relies on clever visual representations rather than dense sub-text.” Find out more here.
A Showcase of Some of the Best Infographic Designs (SloDive)
Need some inspiration? SloDive has compiled 15 exceptional infographics for you to peruse. Get some ideas on how jazz up a less-than-interesting subject.
How to Get Results from Your Virtual Town Hall
SOPA and PIPA Advocacy Efforts Show the Components of Successful Campaigns
Twitter Ties and the Implications for Grassroots Professionals
K Street Café is a blog where experts from a variety of backgrounds share ways organizations are using current and emerging strategies to help shape public policies.
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