There is an excellent memo entitled Nonprofit Blogs: Strategic Communication for Mission, Outreach and Fundraising by floating eyeball. It talks about the benefits of blogging for nonprofits and offers some advice. In the recommendations section, this point really resonated with me:
The blogosphere is littered with millions of abandoned blogs. The technology’s low entry barriers quickly bump up against the fact that the real entry barrier is being able to communicate interesting, compelling stories on a regular basis. Several dominant themes emerge in the blogging literature to guide effective web communication.
1. Surfing the Niche
Blogging is more than writing. The medium’s potential lies in listening. Effective blogging requires ongoing reading and listening to stories related to the organization’s market niche. To differentiate the blog and contribute to the larger conversation, nonprofit bloggers need to carefully survey the blogosphere to discover active sites and interesting writers. Participation on other blogs drives traffic to the nonprofit’s site and sparks innovative approaches to blogging. One of the benefits to blogging is the simplicity of linking to interesting, thoughtful ideas on the web. Gems mined across the network should be shared.
Via RelayBlogger
Word Up Beth.
I really like the idea of moving information from the periphery of the network to the center. Nonprofits link diverse communities and could really advance this process. In the age of info overload, this requires discerning listening and posting. It's a real challenge.
Thanks for the post.
I'll stop by in the future.
Posted by: Joe | July 18, 2005 at 01:17 PM