Archive for December, 2009
Left-handed Thinking
It’s been said that left-handed people are the only ones in their right minds. As a left-hander, I like to quote that and chuckle about it with friends.
Truth is, being left-handed still has its myths and misconceptions. Some of those are that left-handed people are more creative. Or, more accident prone. Or, just not as “right” as right-handed people. Back in those ancient days of the mid-1950s, kindergarten teachers did their best to force left-handed kids to be right-handed. Yep, I was one of’em.
Today, I use my left-hand to write. That’s it. I do everything else with my right hand. I eat with my right hand. I bowl (well, I used to bowl) with my right hand. I use scissors with my right hand (my daughter got me left-handed scissors once and I have never learned to use them!).
I guess that makes me ambidexterous, to a point. True ambidexterousness is rare. I can put make-up on with either hand. I can write with my right hand, but it’s barely legible. And I can do many things with my left-hand that I don’t … just because I’m used to using my right hand. But, I don’t do these things as a matter of fact. I choose which hand to use, I don’t willy-nilly reach for the carving knife with my left or right hand.
What’s all this got to do with you and the advent of a new year? This: what misconceptions do you have about your work? Your clients? Your industry? The Internet Social Media? Life in general?
Are you looking at the coming year, fraught with opportunities to market to women online (studies are showing online shopping made a killing this year), as if it’s a left-handed way of doing things? Are you stuck in the 1950s, trying to make everything fit the right-handed is best mold?
There is no “right” mold. There is no secure answer. There is no better way – based on myth and misconception. The right way, the better way, is the way that works. Lena can tell you whether or not social media is your answer, and which kind of social media. Donna can assist you in promotions and sweepstakes (a growing activity online, especially with women), and Mary can steer you away from the mistakes you might make if you aren’t really paying attention to a world full of both right-and-left-handed people.
Me, I’m here to listen, watch, report, and support. Your success is my success. Come back tomorrow, January 1, 2010 and I’ll have an announcement that will help you build a strong, powerful, interactive presence online – with all of us at Lip-sticking.
One Lip-sticking writer’s recap of 2009
By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna’s Promo Talk
Some of us are still working this week, or at least checking our email and social networks. It’ a good time to catch-up on things and also to reflect on the past year. During this holiday week I spent some time reviewing all the the social media that I contributed to during 2009. For me 2009 was the first full year that I have been a guest blogger here on the Lip-sticking blog and have held to my weekly commitment. I also started a Twitter page which resulted in over 1,600 followers so far and have connected with many old and new friends on Facebook.
So I thought I would provide a summary of what I think are some of my top posts that help to define 2009. Looking back I tried to pick one post a month that is either of a promotion that reflected the pop culture of that time or one that defined a major milestone or shift in social media. So if I may here are my picks:
January – Facebook Helps Connect us to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration
Normally the majority of my posts this time a year are a countdown to the Super Bowl. With being a big NFL fan and a marketer I just love to read and write about what the major brands are doing. So I have quite a few dedicated to the big game, including this post on the infamous Dorito’s consumer-generated ad contest. However, instead I’m selecting this post that really started us off to the year.
February - And the Oscar Goes To….This Year’s Winning Promotions
This month we were treated to the 81st Annual Academy Awards and, as with the Super Bowl, several marketers created ads and programs affiliated with the event, but in this case directed to a more female audience. I was speculating whether Slum Dog Millionaire would win, and they did, which resulted in us all now being familiar with the term Bollywood.
March – Twitter, Facebook and Skittles…Oh My!
Both Facebook and Twitter were now getting quite a bit of press during the first quarter of 2009 and this brand decided to take the leap to create a totally new online experience that integrated these social media sites. Many, however, questioned their decision.
April – Recession Marketing to Moms – Tips & Insights
Mommy bloggers became the holy grail to some marketers. Some got it right and others didn’t. This post included some great tips for marketing to women online in 2009.
May – Digital Moms Survey Reveals How Much We Engage Online and How Marketers Should Take Note
Digital Moms Survey Part 2 – Connecting through Social Networks
This month I focused on a two-part Digital Moms survey conducted by RazorFish and CafeMom which revealed some great insights into how women have changed their behavior and are now engaging with social media.
June – Some of this Year’s Father’s Day Promotions
Kmart got on board with the theatrical release of the next installment of the Transformers series to promote Dad’s Day. This movie ended up being the biggest box office draw of the decade even beating out Harry Potter!
July – Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Film Embraces Emerging Media Marketing
Speaking of Harry Potter, any of us moms that have teenagers are well aware of what a phenomenon this series of books turned into movies has become. This sixth Harry Potter film integrated many different interactive promotions with social media truly engaging their audience.
August – Sears utilizes Facebook exclusively for BTS Campus Ready campaign
Back-to-school promotions will never be quite the same with the growth we saw this year from Facebook and social networks. Would love to get an update on the results from this campaign. Anyone have any contacts?
September – Hanes T-Shirt Contest Seeks Passionately Pink Designs
In anticipation of October being breast cancer awareness month many brands starting kicking off their “Pink” promotions. These were especially close to my heart this year since my mom has been battling breast cancer and had a very tough year. Our prayers go to the many fighting this disease along with their families.
November – FTC Comments at PMA’s Marketing Law Conference: “We have no intention of shutting down the blogosphere”
I was again invited back as a guest blogger at PMA’s Annual Marketing Law Conference and this year the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. We got to hear directly from directors of the FTC what their newly updated endorsement guidelines really mean. I’ll be watching closely in 2010 who will be the first enforcement target. My guess is it will be affiliate marketers that are promoting diet products.
December – American Express promotes their Holiday Gift Cards on Twitter and gives back via United Way
With the economy as it was this year many brands decided to give-back through charitable holiday programs. Amex was one brand that not only partnered with the great organization, but also integrated fun promotions executed on Twitter and also online that promoted their brand and products.
Hope you enjoyed the recap. We’ve got some exciting plans for 2010 to share with you. Happy New Year and here’s to a wonderful and prosperous 2010.
Stories From Smaller Nonprofits: East Lake Foundation
2009 holidays are winding down. Social networks from Facebook, Flickr to Twitter helped us share memories with family and friends. But for some people holiday memories were not so merry or jolly. In the
spirit of the season, to give back, Diva Marketing is showcasing the stories of smaller nonprofits throughout December.
It's my wish that together we can help raise their
visibility, perhaps find a new volunteer or even encourage a donation or two. Because as Laura King Edwards, Taylor's Tale, says, "Nothing should stand in the way of a dream." Also the nonprofits that are using social media have agreed to share their strategies so we continue to learn together.
The tale of the Miracle of East Lake begins with, Tom Cousins an Atlanta real estate icon who had a "crazy" vision that golf could rebuild an inner city community. The story is told by Mary Dugenske, Director of Marketing and Communications for East
Lake Foundation.
Everyone deserves a chance to succeed – which is why the
East Lake Foundation provides tools for Atlanta’s
East Lake
residents to build a brighter future for themselves and their families."
Just 15 years ago – East Lake
was a blighted, crime-ridden area, home to one of the nation’s most troubled
housing projects. Only 5% of students met state math standards, and the
employment rate (not unemployment rate) was just 14%.
Three key building blocks - Working with residents, the East Lake Foundation brought
hope to this historic community, relying on three key ingredients:
•Quality Education: East
Lake kids now enter a
cradle-to-college pipeline that includes an early education program that’s become
a statewide model and Atlanta’s
first charter school. Students learn, excel and graduate – in fact, 97% are the
first in their families to attend college!
•Affordable Housing: Families now have access to safe
housing choices, plus classes, events and support groups that help them build
knowledge, skills and lasting financial strength.
•Community Connections: Neighbors connect and learn from
each other – for example, through The First Tee of East Lake, a dynamic program
that teaches both golf and life skills while opening the doors to colleges,
scholarships and jobs for hundreds of children.
Toward a brighter future - As East Lake
families begin to break the cycle of poverty, East
Lake is becoming a community of
choice. Violent crime is down 95%, while school test scores and property values
have surged. Today’s economic challenges
hit working families particularly hard — but thanks to donors and volunteers,
the East Lake Foundation can continue to provide tools that build brighter
tomorrows. Just $10 a week provides a child with after-school tutoring,
educational support and enrichment activities that foster lasting academic
success.
Social Media Strategy
Expanding the conversation – Like many small nonprofits, the Foundation has long relied
on “social” events (especially volunteer opportunities) to connect donors,
partners and neighbors. We’re excited about the opportunities that social media
offers to connect with our supporters and broaden our outreach.
Right now,
we’re focused on listening and learning about what others are saying about our
cause, as well as helping supporters and volunteers tell our story via their
blogs and tweets. In 2010, we look forward to expanding the conversation
ourselves via our own presence on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other social
media channels!
More About Eastlake Foundation
Stories From Smaller Nonprofits: Isipho
Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. ~ Francis Pharculles, The Sun
There are people who play Santa year long. Many bring their talents and hearts to the important work they perform for nonprofit causes. Throughout December Diva Marketing will highlight stories from smaller nonprofits
that light the way for causes but rarely pull mentions in the main stream media.
It's my wish that together we can help raise their
visibility, perhaps find a new volunteer or even encourage a donation
or two.
Because as Laura King Edwards, Taylor's Tale, says, "Nothing should stand in the way of a dream." Also the nonprofits that are using social media have agreed to share their strategies so we continue to learn together.
The story is told by Miranda Lynch who is the 15-year old co-founder and vice president of Isipho. Miranda's story is as much a part of the fabric of Isipho as the children she is passionate about helping.
My name is Miranda Lynch. I co-founded Isipho in December 2009 so I could do everything possible to improve the lives of the children in Nzinga, South Africa after visiting there in August 2008 while on vacation to celebrate my 14th birthday with my dad.
When we first got to Nzinga, all I wanted was to turn around and leave right away. I had never experienced such hardship or poverty. It was really overwhelming.
But I didn’t have time to be overwhelmed, because the second I got out of the car, a girl my age handed me a saw and pointed to some wood. I understood that she wanted me to cut the wood; something I had no idea how to do, but was embarrassed to admit that, so I just started sawing. As the evening evolved, I realized that the wood I was sawing was the wood we needed to make a fire to cook our dinner. Just making and then cleaning up after dinner was such hard work and took so long that by the time we finished, I was exhausted and went straight to bed. I guess it’s good I was too exhausted to leave!
The next day my life was changed forever, because I met Amahle, the beautiful, smart, precocious two-year-old daughter of our host. Amahle doesn’t have the same opportunities in life that I do - the opportunity to receive a quality education, the opportunity to have three healthy meals per day, and the opportunity to earn a living and support herself once she’s an adult. Amahle became my little shadow, and I came to love her like a little sister.
When we left Nzinga, I kept thinking about Amahle, and was determined to do all I could to change the inequality in her life; to do everything possible to give Amahle and every other child in Nzinga the opportunities that I believe every person deserves.
- I know I’m just one American teenager, but I knew I had to at least try, and that I couldn’t just leave and never look back. When my mom and dad saw my passion for this, they agreed to help me help Nzinga overcome their biggest obstacles to a better life.
The municipality where Nzinga is located has identified severe and chronic malnutrition and illiteracy as two of the biggest contributors to the poverty in Nzinga. It seemed so simple to me that if they could grow their own fresh vegetables and had the proper resources to be able to receive an education, their lives would vastly improve. So we decided to start a non-profit to focus exclusively on this small village and to make a difference one child, one family, one food garden, and one classroom at a time.
I decided to name the nonprofit Isipho, which is the Zulu word for “gift,” and the nickname that Amahle gave to me because she couldn’t say “Miranda.” Our Isipho, or our gift, is to help the people of Nzinga create a better, self-sustaining community.
We do not give them more hand-outs that just extend the cycle of dependence. We give them the tools they need to feed and educate themselves within five years without any outside assistance. Specifically, we provide them with fencing, gardening tools, seeds and gardening training so that they can learn how to garden for themselves, and be able to protect their gardens from grazing animals.They do all the rest.
We also provide books, school supplies, educational toys and teacher training so that the kids in the village are all going to school and are learning when they get there. Before we started Isipho, only 44% of the villagers had ever attended any school at all, and only seven percent had ever graduated from high school. Our goal is to get 100% of the children in the village enrolled in school, and to increase graduation rates so that their poverty begins to improve.
In our first year we raised almost $20,000, and on just that limited amount of money we’ve been able to send:
~23 villagers through a 3 day sustenance gardening training program with the regional agriculture college.
~Provide fencing, tools and starter seeds for more than 500 square yards of community vegetable gardens
~Provide fencing, tools and starter seeds for 40 smaller, individual family garden
~Deliver over $3,000 worth of books, mathematics tools (calculators, protractors, etc.), and other needed school supplies.
~Encourage development of a local committee that will oversee and lead the programs going forward so that the villagers have ownership and ultimate responsibility for long-term success. More than half of the committee is comprised of women.
Isipho is run by me, my mom and my dad, so far on a 100% volunteer basis.
I’m founder and Vice President of the Board of Directors. I spend most of my time working on public relations and fundraising, and I’m also busy making a short film about Nzinga, using video footage that I shot this past August when we were in Nzinga building vegetable gardens and working in the schools.
My dad, Tom, is President of the Board. He does marketing and fundraising, and is always spreading the word about Isipho.
My mom, Sheri, is Executive Director of Isipho. She handles all the day-to-day operations.
The three of us work together to plan all of the programs. We’re also putting together a really great Board of Directors right now.
It’s been really interesting to work together with my family like this. We’re a business, so we have weekly meetings, as well as quarterly planning sessions and an annual planning retreat. I’ve learned a LOT about what it takes to run a business, like how to do strategic planning, how to organize fundraisers, what it takes to do even a simple program, and a lot about business etiquette. Most of that I’ve learned by making mistakes and embarrassing myself. But that’s OK – that’s one of the nice things about learning all this stuff as a teenager – people are quick to forgive my mistakes!
Social Media Strategy
Social media is important for us, but also very natural. My dad has worked in digital marketing for a long time, and I’m 15, so I’m on it all the time. We have a limited budget, so social is a great way to spread the story and get people involved. It has been great for us, and also a lot of fun.
It also is a lot of work though, because you have to stay active. Sometimes we’ll find that too much time has passed before we’ve interacted, and other times we’ll find we’re all on our individual Facebook pages saying the same thing.
- Sometimes being consistent and coordinated is not as easy as it would seem.
More About Isipho
Web site
Blog
Facebook page
Twitter
YouTube
Donation link
For the greater good sites from Miranda:: Idealist Gold Star
Stories From Smaller Nonprofits: St. Vincent and Sarah Fischer Center
In midst of the chaos of shopping, gift wrapping and cookie baking I invite you to join me on Diva Marketing for a quiet moment to learn about the work of some smaller nonprofits. Throughout December I'll be highlighting stories from nonprofits that light the way for causes that may not be on the front page of the New York Times. It's my wish that together we can help raise their
visibility, perhaps find a new volunteer or even encourage a donation or two.
Because as Laura King Edwards, Taylor's Tale, says, "Nothing should stand in the way of a dream." Also the nonprofits that are using social media have agreed to share their strategies so we continue to learn together.
The St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center Story
Story is told by Suzanne Conti who has been involved with the St.
Vincent and Sarah Foster
Center for many years.
At one time the St. Vincent
and Sarah Foster Center
was a foster home for children with volunteers providing Easter Baskets and
Birthday toys. Through the Center's
studies they believed their efforts would be more fruitful if the children
stayed with their parents as long as they taught the parents how to provide and
parent for a successful family life.
Tutoring of all forms is on-going and the results are wonderful, but the
needs for these young Detroit
families are greater than ever. Sr.
Judith would be so grateful to any assistance given to help these children and
parents, whether it be crayons for the kids after school programs or warm coats
and boots.
Providing education and skill development opportunities for at risk children and families in Detroit
which have been devasted with the highest unemployment (38%) and highest levels
of high school drop out rates (28%).
This charity is going to the heart of the problem- working to strengthen
the family unit to become nurturing productive sources for children.
The odds say many of the children served in the Brightmoor
and surrounding communities of Detroit
will end up dropping out of school and going on to lives of poverty. Children's
Learning Experience helps children beat those odds. Individual and small group academic support and
encouragement a positive, nurturing environment that fosters a love of
learning. Strict participation standards that include a high degree of
parental involvement. The goal of the Children's Learning Experience is to ensure
children are performing at or above grade level, and that goal is being met.
Many in the area are living in poverty, unable to support
their families. Lack of education is a major component of the generational
poverty that plagues this area. The Adult Learning Experience addresses this. The Adult Learning Experience has been designed around the
concept of First Steps and Next Steps. In this program we recognize that
getting a high school diploma or completing a GED is the crucial first step and
the foundation for self-sufficiency. To help our students take that first step,
we provide tutoring in math and language.
But a GED is no longer enough to give adults the ability to
support themselves and their families. It is an important first step, but only
a first step. That's why the Adult Learning Experience program goes further.
Building on the confidence that comes with reaching a hard-won goal, we work
with our graduates on Next Steps. Whether that Next Step is enrolling in college, attending a
vocational school or getting into an apprenticeship program, we support program
participants as they take measured, lasting steps toward self-sufficiency.
Values
The values of founders St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de
Marillac, continue to guide the expression of the Center's mission.
Simplicity
Honesty, integrity and openness in all of our words and
actions
Teamwork
Working together in service to others
Advocacy
Advocating for those with no voice
Inventiveness
Being creative in everything we do
Respect
Showing respect for those we serve and everyone we contact on their behalf
Service Quality
History
The agency traces its beginnings to 1844 when the Daughters
of Charity first arrived on the streets of Detroit
with only $8.50 in their pockets, with the intentions of opening a school.
Within two years, they responded to community need by establishing the St.
Vincent Orphan Asylum and a hospital. In 1869, the sisters opened a program to
provide for the needs of unwed and/or deserted mothers and their children.
It is this spirit that began the Daughter’s 150 years of
service to those in need in Southeastern Michigan. They
had no idea that they would be responsible for founding the first hospital in
Detroit, Providence Hospital in 1945, the first private psychiatric hospital in
Michigan, three schools, an orphanage, and a home for unwed mothers and
children in just over two decades.
In 1928, a fire destroyed a summer home located in Farmington
Hills that housed children from the old St. Vincent
Orphan Asylum in Detroit. Mr. and
Mrs. Charles T. and Sarah Fisher of the Fisher Body Family read the news
accounts of the fire. Because of their extreme gratitude to the Daughters of
Charity and Providence Hospital for saving the life of their fifth son, Thomas
Fisher, Charles Fisher took action by donating more than $700,000 to build a
new structure at the corner of 12 Mile and Inkster Roads.
The formal opening took place one year after the date of the
fire on November 25, 1929.
The home reflected contemporary thinking in the institutional care of children.
The Center’s Farmington Hills
campus remained open as a residential facility for foster children until
October 2005. In 2006, the St. Vincent and Sarah
Fisher Center
brought 150 years of family and child experience to the Brightmoor area and the
surrounding community. The statistics for the area are daunting: A 40% poverty
rate for children; a nearly 30% drop out rate; and unemployment levels that
hover around 36%. Children are at risk, and families are failing under the
crushing weight of poverty.
More About St. Vincent and Sarah
Fisher Center
Stories From Smaller Nonprofits: Lendego
In the
spirit of the season, to give back, Diva Marketing is showcasing the stories of smaller nonprofits throughout December. It's my wish that together we can help raise their
visibility, perhaps find a new volunteer or even encourage a donation or two.
Because as Laura King Edwards, Taylor's Tale, says, "Nothing should stand in the way of a dream." Also the nonprofits that are using social media have agreed to share their strategies.
Story is told by the founder Dennis
Hodges who explains how he came up with his unique concept where people can directly help others. As Dennis learned some times fate steps in and changes your dream for the better.
Lendego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization based in Atlanta, Ga. that helps meet the needs of others by connecting
them with individuals wishing to give. Lendego empowers its donors to choose
the individuals, families, groups or organization they want to help.
- Powered by
givers, Lendego positively impacts the lives of real people with real needs.
With Lendego’s peer to peer giving platform, funds can be directed to specific
individuals, families, groups or organizations in need.
I came up with the idea for Lendego,
a nonprofit peer-to-peer lending organization, where individuals hoping to
start a business could post their ideas and stories. Those interested could
lend money to the individuals and then be repaid at a later date. Hence, the
name Lendego. I created my business model, built the website and was ready to
launch Lendego when the 2009 flood happened in Atlanta.
Watching the floods and hearing
about all the victims so close to home had a very profound impact on me. The
incident made me think about all of the individuals who were affected by the
tragedies of life on a daily basis and how it was often extremely difficult, if
not impossible for those individuals to receive financial help in their time of
need.
In October of 2009, I converted my
online lending platform to an online giving platform and Lendego, a nonprofit
dedicated to peer-to-peer giving was born. Individuals or families struggling
with difficult circumstances can contact Lendego for assistance. Recipients can
post a need themselves or be submitted by a “sponsor” — family members, a
friend, church, employer or another nonprofit that is working to help meet the
individual's need.
After the need is verified by Lendego staff, their story is
posted at Lendego;
where givers can browse all the needs and select those for which they wish to
help. Givers can give the amount they choose to each recipient. Once the need
is met, Lendego disburses the funds directly to the family or individual in
need.
Social Media Strategy
Lendego’s grass roots campaign is
conducted via Facebook, Twitter and traditional public relations. Right now the
organization is working on the Faces of Lendego, each month a different story
will be told to the public making them the Face of Lendego. The goal of this
campaign is to raise awareness of Lendego and to change the attitudes and
perceptions behind peer-to-peer giving.
More About Lendego
Facebook
Stories From Small Nonprofits:ChildFund International
The holidays are a time to give back to others. In that spirit, Diva Marketing is highlighting the stories of smaller nonprofits through out December. It's my wish that together we can help raise their
visibility, perhaps find a new volunteer or even encourage a donation or two.
Because as Laura King Edwards, Taylor's Tale, says, "Nothing should stand in the way of a dream." Also the nonprofits that are using social media have agreed to share their strategies so we continue to learn together.
The ChildFund
International Story
Story told
by Virginia Sowers, Community
Manager, ChildFund International. For
more than 70 years, ChildFund International (formerly Christian Children’s
Fund) has been inspired and driven by the potential that is inherent in all
children; the potential not only to survive but also to thrive, to become
leaders who bring positive change for those around them.
We help
deprived, excluded and vulnerable children around the world and in the United States to improve their capacity to
improve their lives and have the opportunity to become young adults, parents
and leaders who bring lasting and positive change to their communities.
We believe
that change must be child-centered. Our distinctive approach focuses on working
with children throughout their journey from birth to young adulthood, as well
as with families, local organizations and communities globally to create
environments children need to thrive.
Our work
would not be possible without the generosity of our child sponsors and donors,
and we are most grateful for their support.
Social Media
We have used social media extensively as part of our
rebranding effort that began last July. In changing our organization’s name to
ChildFund International (to align with the ChildFund Alliance), we have found
social media to be an important tool to communicate the name change, build the
ChildFund brand and also engage more interactively with our supporters.
In July, we launched a Twitter campaign. For every 200
followers we attracted on Twitter, an anonymous donor would provide a gift to
country in which ChildFund worked. For example, one gift was a goat to a family
in The Gambia. We shot video of the goat’s arrival and shared that back through
Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. We gained 2,200 followers in the two-week
campaign, resulting in 11 gifts to vulnerable children.
We also ran a Twitter event this fall. In conjunction with
the 20th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child on Nov. 20,
we invited Twitter followers to tweet on a right they believed children should
have for healthy development. After a set time, we voted on the top 5 tweets
and put those back out on Twitter for a bit of competitive retweeting. We’re
about to announce the top 2 tweets (as based on the number of retweets). Those
two individuals are receiving a coffee table book with photographs of children
around the world.
More From ChildFund
Read More Stories From Small Nonprofits