Mar
27
Success Built to Last
Posted by Jeffrey Cufaude under Uncategorized
Mar
27
Really difficult to believe the volume of sales pitches from ASAE Springtime exhibitors…
Posted by Mike Mason under Uncategorized
Mar
26
You Want Me to Pay for Learning?!
Posted by jtcobb under Uncategorized
I am fan of open education and have also written quite a bit here on free learning experiences that are available over the Web. On the other hand, I’ve made my living for more than a decade with companies that charge for learning experiences, and before that taught at a university that also charged for […]
Mar
26
Still Loving Linked In
Posted by Margaret Core under Uncategorized
Mar
26
One for you data people
Posted by Maddie Grant under Uncategorized
Stewart Mader on SMT points to this list of social media metrics by Rachel Happe at her Social Organization blog. Could you adapt this list to metrics you could use to measure Return on Engagement for your association?
Mar
26
Posted by AEM under Uncategorized
There?s been a lot of blogging buzz about ?Twitter,? a service that allows people to communicate quickly and frequently.
Cindy Butts, at AE on the Verge, has the right idea about it when she asks ?Why??
Nobody needs to talk to other people all of the time about everything. It reminds me of a former employee whose husband called her several times every day to talk to her and ask what she was doing at that moment (I wonder what kind of job he had). She thought it was cute. I thought it was immature.
Eventually, people will become more sensible about technological advances and use them in an appropriate fashion. In the meantime, I won?t use Twitter, I don?t IM anybody, and I?ll only text someone if I need to convey critical information and feel that is the most effective way to do it.
Oh, one more thing. I don?t really care what you ate for lunch yesterday, today, or any other day, so don?t tell me about it.
Mar
26
Data Portability - what a headache.
Posted by Maddie Grant under Uncategorized
Here’s an interesting post by Robert Scoble (he who needs no introduction) on the issue of data portability.
We’ve talked about this subject a couple of times in my Web Strategy group, (Dennis has posted lots about it here) and it’s a really thorny issue. You want to be able to sign in ONCE, to all of your networks, or update something once and have it update everywhere, but you also want to keep some things private, and protect yourself from spam. OpenID (or yahoo version here) is a start but I suspect they haven’t really worked a lot of these issues out yet. This is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Mar
26
Finally, a new way to provide meaningful volunteer recognition
Posted by CindyAE under Uncategorized
A hugely positive reason to have an association blog is the ability to recognize volunteer participation, accomplishments, and writing skills in a way the public can actually find. Also, by adding an “In Memory” section you can provide a lasting memory for families, friends, colleagues, and future generations to find. The public routinely Google-searches business people (and friends/family), and your officers, volunteers and staff will show up on Google if they’re on your blog. Tips:
1. Include their town/city location as many searches start with name and town (as I’ve noticed in analytics);
2. Take their picture during the meeting and TELL volunteers they’ll find it on the blog. Some will forward to others. Everyone likes pictures;
3. Use the name they are commonly known by - for example, I’m found by Cindy, but rarely Cynthia. Assume those searching will use their commonly known name too;
4. “In Memory” is an especially nice and important way to provide a final tribute to a volunteer. Let their family know you cared about them and the role they played for your association and industry. Again, I can tell by analytics that our “In Memory” sections have a worldwide reach - likely link forwards;
5. The reach of a Google search is far more relevant than only a local newspaper recognition (if those even get published);
6. Add a Blogroll to link to your member blogs. Helps those with blogs (by having another way to be found); and provides easy to find example of those blogging within your association;
7. Note via other association communications (such as e-newsletter to members) you have new blog postings (with overview of subjects) - as internal promotion of accomplishments still matters too. Blog reading is new to many members so good way to get them started.
Volunteers contribute a lot. Let’s recognize them. Forever. Association blog placement does what a few words on a plaque can’t do. Tell their story - and have it found.