nonprofits2.0 from change.org – a blog/dialogue centered around the convergence of non-profits and web 2.0.  Tips, tricks, resources, data, etc.

Social Media & Non-profit case study

Socialactions.com – a massive resource for contributing, leveraged for micro-causes.

Razoo.com – a micro-donations tool

GiveMN.org – a localized (Minnesota) platform for connecting, contributing, and initiating change.

10 Twitter tips for non-profits from change.org

Youtube’s non-profit program – a unique non-profit channel with a load of benefits for distributing AV content

If anyone has any other relevant links/resources, please leave a comment as this list will be updated regularly

6/25/09 UPDATE: “Twitter creator shocked and saddened to learn that Twitter can be useful…”

Iranians using Twitter as means of circumventing Media/ISP control mechanisms.

No doubt there are interests against social media – both at home and abroad; authority is the antithesis of social media (read: decentralized interconnectedness). It’s times like this that I’m reminded of a powerful quote from one of my favorite books – The Cluetrain Manifesto:

And when the thrill of hearing ourselves speak again wears off, we will begin to build a new world. -David Weinberger

(a) rampart: an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

(b) an immaterial or intangible barrier, obstruction, etc.

(Just a refresher)
I’ve got to be honest and direct (maybe a little critical) about something that has been on my mind for a while.  Something that I think deserves more attention, sadly enough.

The background:

About four months ago, I contacted the Advertising Federation of Minnesota (www.AdFed.org) regarding an invitation they had extended in search of guest bloggers/content providers for their website and it’s offshoot- “The Edge Online”.  According to their site lit:

“Edge Online is the newest creative offspring of the Advertising Federation of Minnesota. Like most progeny, “it takes a village” to mold, form and guide it through the frivolity of youth to successful maturation. That’s where you come in. Edge Online is looking for intriguing, instructional and even inspiring articles for and about the Minnesota advertising community. We want our new publication to grow up to be something of which we can all be proud.”

Cool, sounds nice, simple & straightforward, I can dig it: I provide content in exchange for publicity, perhaps a link to my blog, bio, contact info, etc.  It’s really a great concept from the AdFed perspective to seek guest bloggers to contribute for more of a community site-they’ve definitely got the right idea.  So I proceeded to email the coordinator for the go-ahead and a details.

Then it hit me like a brick wall-literally.

Wall #1: Submission Guidelines (My comments in Italic).

“Query us with your ideas for articles including length. (Query? For what, your explicit approval? Who is “us” anyways and what are they basing “approval” on? This already has censorship and control written all over it, something the net hates) . Articles can run between 500-2000 words in length. (Are you saying a great 300 word piece can’t “run”?) We will consider previously published articles if you hold clear copyright and will give us written permission to reprint the material ( I’m glad they’re worthy of your consideration)

Your query should be 150-200 words describing your idea and how you plan to develop it. Include your CV or credentials along with examples of any relevant past work (Include a CV? Is this an interview?  “Relevant past work”-it’s sure starting to sound like a hassle). Submit your query via email (no attachments please) (Yes, ma’am) to edgeonline@adfed.org. Be sure to include your name, phone number and email address and the best time and means to contact you. Edge Online retains first-serial rights to accepted pieces. Edge Online retains first-serial rights to accepted original pieces. (OK, I get it) Copyright reverts to the author after publication. (What’s with the rights anyways?  People just want to blog about things they like- leave the legalese out of it-you’re starting to scare me).

We will respond to your query within 1-2 weeks. (So it’s  not going to be a priority is what you’re saying?)

Am I being overly dramatic? Absolutely.  But the point is clear: the words, tone and approach alone are a major turn-off.  Call it what it is: Adspeak, corporate, rigid– it’s anything but human.  How many people and how much time was spent on that little bit? Geez! I sure hope the board approved it. Getting over that, it’s clear that The Edge Online is looking for some fairly specific stuff, which is totally within their right considering it’s their site/space.  That I get, but what I don’t get is this:  if their objective is user contributed content, why are they setting up more hurdles and obstacles than necessary?  Why put anything in between but a green light and a smile? It’s just not all that inviting and could definitely use a make-over by a human being with some humility and humor, even if the protocol/guidelines were exactly the same.  In other words, get off the stage and come down to my level if you want to chat face to face.

Enter Wall #2: Writing your article-style and tone. (say what?)

Your tone should be professional, clear, honest and direct, as well as conversational with research to back up any opinion or idea.  (Sure, I’ll play along, just tell me how you’re editors define: professional, clear, honest, direct, and conversational and I’ll fit right into that little box!) We recommend you follow the suggestions made by William Strunk in The Elements of Style:  (LOL! The Elements of Style was penned in the year 1918; nearly a century ago.  Welcome to the information age AdFed!  My name is Jeff, and I come from the Net Generation.  MIHYAP? AFAIC, YRYOCC! Hint: People my age and younger are literally re-defining the laws of language in our digital world and you want us to abide by writing rules so archaic they pre-date the invention of the television?  GTFO!)

• Be specific, concrete, definite.

• Use the active rather than the passive voice.

• Put the statements in positive form.

• Write with nouns and verbs.

• Don’t overstate.

• Avoid the use of qualifiers.

• Don’t explain too much.

• Avoid fancy words.

• Be clear.

And finally, though it’s tempting, no shameless self-promotion. (Oh really- cause I thought that was the whole point?  OK, I promise not to be shameless ) Your article should illustrate your area of expertise, but not be used as an advertorial or ad to specifically promote your business or firm.

Refer to the Chicago Manual of Style as your guide for article style standards. (Just as soon as I finish The Elements of Style.  You can anticipate my submission in 1-2 months, because now you’re a priority!)

Wall #3: Deadlines & Timelines

Submit your completed article via email MS Word doc attachment to edgeonline@adfed.org. Your first draft will be due around the 15th of the month (approximately two weeks from the time you receive the big thumbs up from our editorial staff.) (Due?  I thought this was supposed to be voluntary? “Big thumbs up”? wow- I hope I pass! Editorial staff?  This is worse than the newspaper!) We will edit your article (if in fact, edits are required) and send back to you promptly, requesting that you submit your final draft by the 15th of the following month.  So for example, if your query is accepted for the March issue, we would like to see a first draft by January 15th and a final draft by February 15th. (Ok, so this is a month and a half process, more or less?)

Three walls and you’re out – unless you can come up with more reasons for those interested not to submit content to The Wire, in which case I’ll have to come up with a stupider slogan.

As I pointed out earlier, I truly do see a great concept from the AdFed perspective to seek guest bloggers to contribute for more of a community driven site-they’ve definitely got the right idea. And I’ll stick to that even after losing any interest whatsoever in personally contributing. They’ve got all the tools to create a great community of local professionals / aspiring amateurs alike and to encourage/foster conversation (and own the square) , but sorry to say, they are totally off the mark  in their implementation, approach, and voice. I might hesitate to say that if there were more than 15 or so entries over the course of the past year…last one being June 3, 2008.

The moral of the story is this: Tear down the walls or face isolation. This applies to any and all attempts at conversational/social media, business big and small, profit or not.

If anyone from AdFed happens to stumble over these ramblings, I’d encourage you to reach out and say hi-don’t be a stranger. Come down to a human level and we can talk about how to do this thing right…that is, if you care enough to create something you can be proud of.