I've been curating resources and teaching workshops on the topic of information coping skills for a couple of years. I first became interested in the topic after reading David Shenk's "Data Smog" in 1998 using the metaphor of environmental problems to talk about the dangers of having too much online information, primarily email. This was in the era before Facebook and there was far less information available compared today. (My favorite practical principle from Shenk was "Give A Hoot, … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2012
Social Media and Cute Dogs Go Mobile And Other Cute Animal and Nonprofit Tales
The Cute Dog Theory or more precisely the Cute Animal Theory states that including cute animals in your social media content inspires more people to share the content. If don't believe that is true, check out this YouTube video from VW of dogs barking the theme from Star Wars as a Superbowl Teaser. In less than a day, it has over 1 million views. The cute animal theory has not gone unnoticed by nonprofits, even those that are not animal welfare organizations, zoos or aquariums are … [Read more...]
Best Practices for Content Curation for Nonprofits at Social Media for Nonprofits Conference
Source: bethkanter.org via Beth on Pinterest On January 30th, I'm speaking at the Social Media for Nonprofits in New York City. (You can get a discount of $20 off the registration by entering the code "Beth" when you sign up although the discount only works on the more expensive tickets). This year, since content curation, is a social media competency that I'm focusing in my own learning and teaching , I'll be doing a conversational presentation on the topic. Robin Good, one of … [Read more...]
SOPA Strike: 12 Hour Internet Blackout on Jan. 18th To Call Attention to US Bill That Threatens Open Internet
Source: globalvoicesonline.org via Beth on Pinterest United States lawmakers are considering two bills, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA), that post a threat to the openness of the web around the Globe. In response, many web sites are going on strike. Sites includes Wikipedia, Reddit, BoingBoing, and Global Voices are “going dark” and will black out the Global Voices Advocacy site for 12 hours on January 18 beginning at 8 am. Other sites … [Read more...]
Does Your Nonprofit Need Legal Counsel About Using Social Media?
Source: amazon.com via Beth on Pinterest Over the past couple of years as I've guided nonprofits in preparing their social media policies or when I speak, I get asked questions that are more legal issues than about using social media. Here's a sampling: Our organization does advocacy around some policy issues. How do the rules on lobbying play into our social media strategy? What if we're asking people to take action on Facebook, does that constitute lobbying? What do we … [Read more...]
