We all know brands are jumping into the social media waters. Each day I see more advertisements, websites and print pieces showcasing a presence on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the like. But, what are they actually doing when they get there? Let’s give them some advice.
Let me know what YOU want [...]

Think of this post as a starter guide for getting to know an online audience. After reading, think about how you can contribute information in the comments section.
The most successful online fundraising campaigns have many of these components/attributes:

They do not overwhelm (not trying to save the world)
Know their audience
Specific, understandable, digestable
Are engaging
Participatory
Recognize donors and other [...]

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Yesterday I spoke at the National Generation & Transmission Communicators Conference in Texas. They asked for “201 style” presentation to help them discover more/new ways to use online communications. Here’s what I shared:
Ideas and Tactics for CIPCO
View more presentations from Sarah Evans.

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Share Play nice. This is probably one of the keys in the book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” but I haven’t read it. It’s a simple statement. In fact, it’s one of the rules I share each week as #journchat begins. It’s meant as a “gentle” reminder that we [...]

I’d consider myself a member of the do-gooder and social good tribes.  It makes me happy to help others and, perhaps, alleviate a bit of that old Catholic guilt.
In the past year I’ve found myself saying no to causes. A day doesn’t go by (literally) where I’m asked to give time, money, join [...]

Yes, I’m posing this question specifically to you. Are you able to share a differing point of view (POV) without damaging a relationship? Differing POVs are essential and I love the conversation they generate on online forums (like blogs).
When you disagree with someone online is your first response to post something like,
“Here ye, here ye! [...]

Guest post by: Daniel Prager is an interactive marketing consultant at The Ocean Agency, an interactive marketing firm in Chicago, IL. He also is a contributor to Ploked. You can learn more about the rest of his online presence here and find  him on Twitter.
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Is “influence” is the new “leverage?” The phenomenal success of Trust [...]

NOTE: While I refer to community in this post, it is not limited to only your online networks. I intend for it to mean all communities: family, friends (virtual and in real life), peers and business associates, etc.
I ask myself this question daily. It doesn’t mean I always have an answer or know if I’ve [...]