Activating the Activists with Social Media

Photo from ACLU of Northern California

This is my contribution to the NetSquared Think Tank: Offline Events and Online Campaigns

Earlier this week I participated in a convening on Network Effectiveness hosted by Packard Foundation and the Monitor Institute (reflections here)  One of the participants, Catrina Roallos, New Media Strategist from ACLU of Northern California, gave me a laptop sticker for their DotRights Campaign for online privacy. 

One of the questions that came up during a discussion of concerns at the beginning of the day, was "We have 5,000 friends on Facebook, now what?  How do we activate the online activists to take action offline?"   I was not presenting, but decided to use Twitter crowd source some suggestions, screencapture them, and put those into my presentation later in the day.

Ironically, one of my Twitter followers suggested asking them nicely and giving them schwag.  Just as Catrina has done with their new campaign!   Here's the round up of suggestions:

Via Commonknow

• In your status updates, use the news feed to raise awareness
• Escalate relationship w/periodic updates through Facebook messaging with higher asks
• See example of EQCA No on Prop8 http://bit.ly/2OhDRB
• Deepen relationship through custom apps that improve on org activites (event fundraising, petitions)

jeffshuck@kanter I'm biased, but events are a powerful way to move online advocates offline. Create something to attend!

easibey@kanter actions that r easy/doable. The Save Darfur Coalition asks to organize events, vigils. They are quite successful - http://rde.me/Nz

jonratliff@kanter face to face meetings deepen the enthusiasm for activism. I suggest a tweetup.

chloevdc@kanter remind them that the tools they use can only go so far. technologies are only as good as the people (and activists) behind them.

jordanepstein@kanter Make it fun, empower people to simply and easily make a personal difference and get commitment.

jaygoldman@kanter Rewarding verified offline actions with online social credit. Karma points for being good.

carlainsf@kanter Make action practical, easy. Promote cross-platform: FB, LI, Twitter, email>blog>online poll/petition--->offline events.

joewaters@kanter Re: @mary_joyce comments. Blue State Digital gave BOS presentation on this very point. @bigguyd has details.

ghennipher@kanter TweetUps and other events to help them feel involved with the cause.

jpickett1968@kanter Ask them to tour your facility to assist with fundraising or volunteering.

paulcip@kanter let everyone propose and lead their own fave activity related to group objectives via mail list, bbs, etc.

SheilaS@kanter Start w/peeps who are mostly offline to begin with (Chambers of Commerce, etc.) They will carry your msg, enthusiasm back offline

Mary_Joyce@kanter, Obama campaign used MyBO to ask online supporters to host house parties to reach out to their offline social networks

tomjd@kanter Make it as easy and intuitive as possible. Identify leaders/super-activists and empower them to host local events.

02mytwi01IMO the right question: RT "@Kanter What are the best ex_les of converting ... o_l activists to offl_e activists? W. strateg.s do you use?"

EMcD@kanter At @carepages we enabled members to share their stories offline (local media, support groups, religious organizations)

MandyGRS@kanter Give them a wide range (in terms of difficulty) of activities to do offline. That way you can meet the activist "where they're at"

willcoley@kanter I'm interested in how orgs can use offline content dev among their constituents. ie. video http://is.gd/rfYC

MJRovner@kanter talk to Greenpeace USA -- Marie Michelson -- "online to on the ground" program

See also:

Nonprofit Organizing in 140 Characters or Less (M+R Strategic Services)

What are your best tips and practices for activating the activists offline?  Have a blog post on this topic?  Please leave a comment.  Thanks!

Comments

[Lauren Levitt]

Thanks Beth (and your followers!). I think this was one of the most useful questions asked at the convening. I like the idea of giving a range of suggestions i.e. offline activities that take 20 minutes, 2 hours, or 2 days.

[JustinSMV]

I love that Tweet idea on asking them nicely and offering them goodies. Although you do have to be tactful in asking them, you don't want to seem pushy especially with 5k followers ;-)

[Gabe Garcia]

Bold and insightful post; The authors clarity on this issue of social activism and the truth it brings to bear on the prospects for the future give us all reason for hope. The question is: Are people ready to hear the good news yet? I for one AM!

Kudos again to the author.