A Razorfish report recently released found that over 40% of all US Internet users have ‘friended’ a brand on Facebook or MySpace.

At first blush, “only” 40% may seem small. Yet consider that this is 40% of all Internet users. That percentage gives testament not only to how many Internet users are on social networks like Facebook and MySpace, but also their behaviors therein. It is only recently that there was any ability for an individual to “friend” or follow a brand, and the trend to do so is only going to increase as time goes on.

Individuals “friend” brands on social networks to show their support, engage with the brand, or to get updates more easily.

Anyone who’s heard me present knows that I don’t just tell everyone to have a Facebook presence: it has to make sense for your audience, objectives and available resources. But if you have people interested in receiving your messages and updates, and you have the capacity to support a social networking profile for your organization, does it not make sense to be there for them?

Tagged as: Facebook, fan pages, friending, myspace

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Lately, in my own personal journey to research the H1N1 vaccine, I have run into a flurry of helpful and inventive social media tools online.

At the forefront of this seems to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – who have begun using social media tools including Twitter, YouTube, widgets, social networking sites and podcasts to deliver dependable and up-to-date information to the public and health professionals and to reach new audiences.

On the CDC Novel H1N1 Flu Web page, you can find a list of applications, including a Twitter feed for emergency information including H1N1 flu, buttons, badges, e-cards, a mobile version of the website and a texting pilot project, which provides information on seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and public health emergencies and more.

Smart move by the CDC. I am sure they will prove helpful to thousands as the H1N1 flu continues to spread across the country.

Tagged as: CDC, Facebook, H1N1, social media, twitter

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Do Good
This awesome ipod/iphone app unites millions of users to do one random act of kindness a day.

The application is appropriately called “DoGood”. Each day the application displays the same “DoGood” to every user on a particular day. Once you’ve completed the DoGood, simply press done.

Social Media Integration
Facebook and Twitter integration allows you to easily tell your friends about each day’s DoGood. You can leave a story on each DoGood, or read the stories of others.

Tracking Social Change
DoGood collects statistics from the group anonymously, and presents them on a graphical dashboard allowing you to easily track each day’s activity. Moreover, you can view past DoGoods and their respective stories.

Join the movement:
http://mobil33t.com/dogood

Tagged as: behavior change, cause, cause creative, Digital Activism, Facebook, healthy people, Healthy Places, public health, social marketing, social media, social networks, twitter

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Facebook as a tool for Activists, Advocates and Causes

At the core of advocacy and activism is a social network . Without the collaboration of leaders, volunteers, advocates and community, messages would not be shared and change for the greater good could not occur.

This social foundation helps to understand why social networking sites, such as Facebook.com, are a perfect fit for nonprofits, activists, advocates and social causes. Due to its immense reach, at no cost to the user, new causes, companies and people are joining in the conversation and signing up for social networking sites every day.

Creating a social cause site provides a free and effective way to help attain goals among the general public and target audiences.

Getting Started

If you chose to move forward with a Facebook cause page, there are a few necessary steps to ensure that the page is as effective as possible.

State goals and mission in a clear, and compelling manner. Having a vision is an important part of convincing potential members why they should join your cause in its fight.

Get everyone involved. Invite every person possible, including co-workers, friends and most importantly, those associated with the organization, cause and causes similar to preventing childhood obesity.

Start the conversation. Engage members with thought provoking, informational and/or entertaining content. By doing so, you foster an active social network and environment.,

Utilize your network. Take advantage of the energy of group members. Ask them to help you recruit. They care about the cause, and are there to help spread the word.

Choose a moderator for the page. Make sure the page is active, updated and full of informative, correct information. The moderator should be fostering growth and support throughout the first few months.

Be digitally active. Once the group is sizeable it is a good time to orchestrate action – digitally. This involves suggesting that members spread the message among family and friends, blogs, and other social media sites such as digg, reddit, twitter, flickr, photobucket, etc. Encouraging action is an easy, and free way to get attention among all types of audiences.

Team up with like-minded activist groups and health advocates. Networking and familiarizing with likeminded advocates and organizations can add credibility and generate help in continuing your mission.

Other Important Things to Know:

• Update recent news frequently.
• Don’t SPAM your members.
• Remember to utilize the power of your group. Passion, enthusiasm and personal belief can go a long way.
• Let your members contribute. The group is an outlet for individuals to express their support in your cause. Don’t forget that allowing your members to feel a sense of shared ownership is important.
• Make friends with other causes. Combining members with existing causes is a great way to establish a well rounded and well formed network of supporters and advocates.

Tagged as: Digital Activism, Facebook, social causes, social media

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