Twitter brings "hope" to nonprofits

If you're a sucker for a good cause like I am, you'll want to know about Twitter's Hope140 project. As part of the company's effort to be "a force for good", it has created a site to highlight worthy causes. For those of you who work for nonprofits, this is an easy way to get your charity a bit more attention. Or, if you simply want to promote a cause on your own (meaning you don't work for the group, but simply support its efforts), you can do that, too. 

If you go to the Hope140 page, just click "contact us" and fill out the brief form (a six-box no brainer). Your charity of choice will then be reviewed by Twitter HQ for possible inclusion on the site. Most of those that are accepted are put on the Case Studies section, where your organization will be profiled (along with a prominent logo and relevant photographs). If you're actively (and creatively!) using Twitter to spread the word about your work, you have a much better chance of being highlighted. After all, practicality would dictate that this altruistic effort is also a nice way to promote the value of Twitter, right?

Other lucky causes may receive a tab of their own on the Hope140 page, as was the case with Hope for Haiti. These organizations and/or campaigns enjoy the added bonuses of donation buttons and showcasing tweets that pertain to the cause.

Nonprofits may also be eligible for a special version of sponsored tweets called Tweet for Good. Details aren't available yet, but just tell Twitter your organization is interested and information will be sent to you as it becomes available. For Twitter newbies, sponsored tweets are essentially ads that earn you money.

So, if your charity could use some added exposure, check out Hope140. It might be a nice addition to your online marketing efforts.

Social media's next big name

Bryan Elliott

I love it when you discover smart people online. Folks you can learn from and engage with are such an important part of your professional development.

Now, we all know the really big names in social media such as Chris Brogan, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Darren Rowse. Not only are they big online, but they have the added exposure of being highly successful authors. One name you may not be familiar with, however, is Bryan Elliott. If you don't know Bryan, you should.

I discovered Bryan about a year ago. He's a smart guy who has a bright future (his present is pretty darn impressive, too!). In the Los Angeles/Orange County area of California, Bryan is known for the impressive events he puts on through his organization, LinkedOC.

With a warm personality, solid business acumen, and an understanding of the value of creating community, Bryan has managed to establish a top-notch speaker series and attract some of the industry's biggest names. Earlier this year, Bryan hosted marketing guru Seth Godin (see my review HERE) and his upcoming events will feature thought leaders such as Brian Solis, Scott Stratten, and the aforementioned Chris Brogan. Getting Seth was a real coup as Seth usually only speaks in front of massive audiences at very pricey conferences. However, Bryan somehow got Seth to speak in front of a smaller group of people for an unprecedentedly low entrance fee.

Bryan also sponsors smaller networking events throughout the year where local business people can connect, buyers and sellers can meet, and all the while fostering an environment where people help one another. This phrase from his website sums up Bryan's approach best and illustrates the mindset he's trying to create through LinkedOC, "A place where innovation, creativity and collaboration thrive. And self-promotion takes a back seat to generosity."

As if that weren't enough, Bryan hosts a fun, business show on the local PBS TV channel. He is also founder of the SoCal Action Sports Network.

Even if you're not in the Southern California area, I encourage you to connect with Bryan via Twitter. He's someone you can learn from and who will add real value to your Twitter stream.  And, trust me, I know it won't be long until Bryan's name is rattled off with all the other big names in social media. Heck, he's already there in my book.

Is email marketing dead?

Ben and Jerry's has decided to do something that many companies are too afraid to do. It is dumping its email marketing efforts.

This month, the popular ice cream maker distributed its very last e-newsletter and has decided to engage with customers exclusively through social media. Many are touting the decision as smart; whereas others say the move is premature.

I don't know about you, but the last time I read an e-newsletter all the way through was probably 2005. Although the medium was effective at one time, I simply don't have the time for it anymore. Besides, I just see those kinds of emails as clutter. More "stuff" clogging up my inbox to sort through and delete. And, frankly, email is the last place I go to these days. The majority of my personal and professional dealings take place on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

One of the things I love most about social media platforms is that the content is short and digestible. And, it lives somewhere else (e.g. a Facebook page, a Twitter feed, etc.) which means no "housekeeping" for me.

Now I know that last part is what companies traditionally don't like. They want you to have to see it. But the new world order dictates that people will willingly consume advertising for products and services that interest them. That means catching up with a friend on Facebook and then visiting a company's Facebook page is no big deal. People are happy and willing to do that. What they're not willing to do, however, is to read a series of long articles touting how great your business is. That's so 20th century.

Besides, if you look at the stats, social media is the future of advertising. On Twitter, for example, 42% of users use the platform to learn about products and services. If your company is not represented (and engaging with current and potential customers!), you're missing out. 

So, what do you think? Is Ben and Jerry's just the first of many big companies to make the big move and dump email marketing? Or it is a shortsighted effort that the company will come to regret?