talks! Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries Audio is only available by calling this number: Conference Call: Access Code: Sponsored by

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Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: You are being recorded…  This seminar will be available on the TechSoup website along with past webinar presentations: –  You will receive a link to this presentation after.  Twitter hashtag: #tstblog  Ask follow-up questions in the Emerging Technologies Forum: –

talks! Facilitator:Becky Wiegand ( TechSoup) Presenters: Allyson Kapin, Care2 Jason Griffey, Library Blogging Sponsored by Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries

For Audio: Access Code: Today’s Speakers Answering chat questions: Laura Newton, TechSoup volunteer Becky Wiegand TechSoup Jason Griffey Author, Library Blogging Allyson Kapin Care 2’s Frogloop Blog

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Webinar Objectives  Definitions  Benefits of Blogging for Nonprofits  Benefits of Blogging for Libraries  Considerations Before Starting  Overview of Tools  Best Practices and Tips  Favorite Blogs  More Resources  Q&A

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: What Is a Blog? “A blog is a web page (usually) written in a programming language, where the content of the site is stored in a metadata-rich format, and the presentation of the content is (usually) in a reverse chronological order. Each piece of content is (usually) the product of a single author, and the content is updated regularly. The page in question (usually) has some form of social component, whether through comments, trackback, or other mechanism of communicating content or feedback.” -- Library Blogging

talks! What Are the Benefits of Blogging for Nonprofits?

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Communicate. Stand Out.  Direct communications with your base of supporters, potential supporters, the press and influentials, and decision makers such as political representatives and staff.  Don’t get lost in the shuffle. Your opposition or competition probably has a blog. You should too!

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Tell Your Story with Your Voice  Easy and cost-effective way to share latest news, tell your story, solicit feedback and foster discussion.  Gives your nonprofit a distinct voice within a movement and can distinguish you from other nonprofits working on similar issues.

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Brand Your Mission  Build brand recognition around your mission. blog.amnestyusa.org

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Deliver Fresh Information  Integrate a blog feed on your organization’s homepage. It’s an excellent way to freshen up your homepage and make it dynamic.  RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feeds allow you to automatically deliver updates.

talks! What Are the Benefits of Blogging for Libraries?

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: build your audience

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: share your secrets

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: remix your world

talks! Considerations for Getting Started

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Getting Started: Goals & Staff Define Your Goals Upfront!  Identify your target audience.  Define the unique information you want to use your blog to deliver.  Publishing schedule: Can you provide information quickly and regularly? Staff Commitment  Options: Designate Blogger-In-Chief, periodic guest posts, rotating staff contributions.  Aim for three short posts per week to keep the blog fresh. Who Should Be Blogging?  People that truly understand your organization’s mission, issues, and agenda.  Guest bloggers: Board members, allies, partners, etc.

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Getting Started: Voice Tone depends on your target audiences. For example, if you have:  Young, tech-savvy online communications practitioner audience? Professional voice with some personality and spunk.  Policymaker audience? Research-based tone.  Community members including teens and children? Straightforward, non-sarcastic, age-appropriate.

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Getting Started: Comments, Security  Do you want to allow comments? Moderated or anonymous?  If you work on controversial topics, do you want to keep identities of your bloggers concealed?  How can you ensure your blog doesn’t get hacked or become a spam repository?  Do you need a disclaimer stating that your bloggers have their own opinions? What standards apply for staff, volunteer, intern, or board members who blog for you?

talks! What Tools Fit Your Needs?

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Tool: Blogger.com

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Tool: WordPress.com

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Tool: TypePad.com

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Tool: WordPress.org

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Tool: MovableType.com

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Tool: FeedBurner and Readers

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Microblogging Twitter.com

talks! Sponsored by Best Practices & Tips

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Best Practices & Tips  Blogs should be easily scannable. Use bullets to display lists.  Frame your post around key sections that illustrate your points with bold headlines.  Use pull quotes strategically such as to highlight a very compelling comment or good stat.

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Best Practices & Tips  Layout: Display several posts on the main page using excerpts and associated image so web visitors can get a quick synopsis of your latest articles.  Length of Posts: words or less is a good framework. If it’s longer, divide into a two-part post.  Search Engine Marketing: To increase your search engine rankings, use keywords that relate to your nonprofit’s issue. A keyword-oriented blog can increase your chances of higher search rankings which means more traffic to your blog. wilderness.org/blog

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Promoting Your Blog  RSS Feeds: Give visitors opportunities to subscribe to your blog’s RSS feed.  Add This: Encourages users to promote blog posts -  Social Networks: Promote key articles to colleagues, listservs, reporters, your followers on social networks like Twitter and Facebook.  Post Comments: Comment on blogs who are discussing similar topics.

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Top Picks: Allyson’s Favorite Nonprofit Blogs Tone and Voice: NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network) - Nonprofit Online Communications: Care2’s Frogloop - Connection Café - Epolitics - Techsoup Blog – Social Media: Beth Kanter - Care2’s Frogloop - Compelling Blog Design: deals with climate changehttp:// Carrots Creative - communications firm.

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Top Pick: beth.typepad.com/

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Top Pick: blog.techsoup.org

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Top Picks: Jason’s Favorite Library Blogs  Skokie Public Library Blogs The Answer - The Bookshelf, and more!  Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library -  The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County - (internal blog)  Pattern Recognition – jasongriffey.net  ALA Techsource - alatechsource.org/blog  TechSoup for Libraries Blog –

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Top Picks: blogs.skokielibrary.info/

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Top Picks: alatechsource.org/blog

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Top Picks: techsoupforlibraries.org/blog

talks! Questions? Submit your questions using the chat box.

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Contact Allyson: Contact Jason: griffey on Twitter, delicious, flickr, friendfeed, just about everywhere google voice links/photos available at: delicious.com/griffey/techsoup

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Continue the Discussion … Thanks to our presenters, Allyson and Jason! Thanks to Laura Newton for managing the chat! Twitter hashtag #tstblog Ask follow-up questions in the Emerging Technologies Forum: o

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Get the Most Out of TechSoup At TechSoup, you ’ ll find a range of technology services to help your nonprofit: o Read helpful articles in our Learning Center o Get latest news and event info from the TechSoup Blog o Request donated software, hardware, and online services o Join our community forums to learn from your colleagues o Browse upcoming events and conferences

Intro to Blogging for Nonprofits & Libraries For Audio: Access Code: Thanks to Our Webinar Sponsor! ReadyTalk offers dedicated product demos for TechSoup organizations 4 times per week: Monday 1:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST) Wednesday 9:00 am MST Thursday 1:00 pm MST Friday 9:00 am MST For more information: pages.readytalk.com/techsoup.html

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