Dear “WWW” Colleague,

Today’s web focuses on interaction between users and developing a sense of relationship that results in support for your program. Now is the time to work Developing Relationships on the World Wide Web into your fundraising plan. Click on the titles on the right to learn more about…

Working in the Web World

Social Networks

Making Your Website Accessible

Do you have questions about using the World Wide Web to develop relationships and raise funds? Contact us through LEADline@CampaignConsultation.com.
for more information. You can still access previous issues of On-the-Go eTA by clicking on the title at the right.

Working in the Web World

Sometimes called Web 2.0, the internet in 2008 differs from older, more traditional use of the internet which limits audiences to viewing only that content which exists on a site. Web 2.0 is participatory as opposed to static. It allows donors and organizations to gather and dispense information by means of a broad spectrum of platforms that are accessible to geographically diverse audiences who need only to have an online computer connection.

For those of you who have trouble with all the technical language and terms, click here to learn a selected few definitions to make you feel like a real IT geek.

Social Networks

Some social networks, like Facebook and MySpace, exist so individuals can meet new people and make friends. Become a member (usually free) and post messages, videos or pictures on the site. Visitors to the sites are invited to make comments about the posted information and thus interact.

Recently web users have been introduced to three-dimensional interaction whereby visitors to the site can create a replica of themselves or another character (an avatar) and view the character interacting virtually. Second Life is three dimensional social networking. A site such as Second Life can provide role-playing activities such as “Making the Ask of a Prospective Donor for a Cash Gift to Support My Program.”

Maintaining a presence on social networking sites is a way to build relationships, especially with younger donors outside the traditional demographics. Facebook now has over 80 million users and expects to have 200 million by the end of 2008. There are over 500 fundraising events registered on this site at any one time. Other social networking sites, such as YouTube and Flickr, can provide visual opportunities to showcase your mission and the good work you do. Email, instant messaging, cell phones and text messaging provide the most basic opportunities for social networking.

Nonprofits are making use of social networks to promote themselves and their events, and to raise funds. Bruce Cline, Colorado State Director, created a Facebook Group to promote the 2nd Not-Quite- Annual AmeriSpuds Low-Cost Recipe Contest for AmeriCorps alumni and their friends. Click here to visit and see who is planning to participate.

Making Your Website Accessible

Your website is the face of your organization for viewers you have not even met, yet. Based upon a 2001 marketing study by Arthur Anderson there are three features visitors consider most important when visiting or returning to a website. These features are:

• Ease Of Use/Navigation: 74%
• Fast Download Time: 65%
• Regularly Updated Information: 58%

When writing for the web keep these considerations in mind:

Ease of Navigation – 74%

• Keep paragraphs to two or three sentences each.
Since people skim text, make it easy for them and
limit the number of paragraphs to three or four per
web site page.

• Present a table of contents on the first screen. Studies
show that ninety percent (90%) of viewers do not scroll
beyond the first screen and the table of contents
makes it easy for them to link to more explanatory text.

• Use Web colors. The browser-safe color palette
allows viewers to see your page and images in the
colors you intended. Stay away from patterned
backgrounds. They can make it difficult to discern
the text.

• Make it easy for the viewer to get to any page from any
page on the site. Include the ability to return to the
home page at any time the viewer wishes.

• Use "previous" and "next" page functionality to help
viewers return to information they may want to review.

• Place a navigation bar near the top or along the side.

• Make certain your site can be found without searching.
Your domain name should match the name of your
organization.

Fast Download – 65%

• Be content succinct. The more you have, the longer
the site takes to download. Readers might not have
patience and go on to some other site that is easier
to download.

• Keep images small. Large images annoy people if
they take too long to download.

• Keep the total page size down.

Regularly Updated Information – 58%

• Stay current and track your audience’s interests
through surveys, contests, etc. Use existing
publications and reserve space to request information
on the website.

• Make staff contact information available. Have up-to
date names and phone numbers, email addresses
and mailing addresses so that people can get in touch
with you easily.

• Keep links current. Check your links often to make
sure they still connect.

• Put your site in the spotlight. Submit it to as many
search engines as you can.

• Wherever relevant, mention your site, in newsletters,
newsgroups, chat-rooms, email, in conversations and
in public presentations, etc.

Invite people to donate

If you are unable just yet to provide the viewer with a mechanism to donate online, include your ask with a way to contact your initiative for more information or a call-back.

Let us know

Have you found ways to use the internet to raise funds? Contact us at LEADline@CampaignConsultation.com
(LEADline is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service through its Resource & Fund Development Initiative.) We would be happy to answer questions or to give you more support.

Thank you for your interest in On-The-Go eTA. We encourage you to send this and other issues of OTG eTA to friends and colleagues who would benefit from the information. Also, if you’re on information-overload, you may request email removal. Otherwise OTG e-TA will be back soon with another edition.

IN THIS ISSUE:
click on titles below to read full articles

Working in the World Wide Web (cont.)

Resources

The National ASK (Awareness, Skills, Knowledge) to Sustain Institute, sponsored by Corporation for National and Community Service, provided by Campaign Consultation, Inc. 1998, 2002

The CNCS Resources Now! National Institute, sponsored by Corporation for National and Community Service, provided by Campaign Consultation, Inc. 2005-07.

Learning Products and Services

LEADline:
(Learning Experiences At a Distance) LEADline is designed to give information fast. Have a resource & fund development question? Use LEADline and within 24 hours you will receive response and advice from a fundraising professional.
Contact usLEADline@CampaignConsultation.com

GIZMOs:
(Giving Information for Zooming Mission Objectives) GIZMOS are resource and fund development tools for you and your volunteers. They are tangible products in packets, pocket brochures, CD-ROMs, games, etc. They feature a myriad of fundraising topics such as The Case for Support, an interactive online resource. View and use our newest GIZMOs at www.CampaignConsultation.com/gizmos/

The Chronicle of Philanthropy:
Everyone who comes to a Resources Now! National Institute gets a free subscription to the Chronicle for a year. Participants in CNCS Campaign Consultation workshops receive the latest issue free of charge plus a $20 discount on one year’s subscription.

Workshops/Clinics:
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), through its T/TA service provider Campaign Consultation, Inc., offers a three-hour workshops and clinics for those interested.

Online Courses/Webinars:
Web course delivery of topics pertinent to resource development such as — Build Fundraising Volunteer Champions and Cause Related Marketing and Corporate Partnerships.

Available through the Resource Center at http://nationalserviceresources.org

Read Back Issues of OTG e-TA

• Mid-June 2008 Planning for Resources
  
  
• June 2008 The Five "C"s of Community Development
  
• May 2008 Attracting Media Attention
  
• Mid-April 2008 Corporate sponsors and Business Sponsors
  
• April 2008 How to Ask
  
• March 2008 Planned Giving
  
• Mid-February 2008 Raising Funds from Neighbors and Friends
  
• February 2008 Raising Funds from Neighbors and Friends
  
• January 2008 Fundraising in Diverse Communities
  
  

  2007 Archives

  2006 Archives