The holidays are fast approaching, and with it, the time of year known for selfless generosity.
While social media is helping shoppers avoid in person holiday sales and still get a great deal, it’s not all about buying the gifts, which is on a strong surge. With the true spirit of the giving season, the act of giving, social media is making an appearance to make giving front and center.
In the past, the big organizations brought the holiday giving campaign to the people with in-person, crowd based campaigns. Now, organizations like the Salivation Army are using social media to extend their reach with a personal touch through Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. They even offer tools for dedicated volunteers to help spread the message.
The Baltimore Sun has an interesting article about charities using social media to add another avenue for giving:
Facebook fans of the Salvation Army can create virtual kettles on their pages and ask their friends to make donations without ever visiting a real storefront kettle. The United Way and Red Cross are tweeting their latest news of families helped and fund drives launched.
No one can yet say whether the new social media are effective ways to raise money, but that’s the goal, charities say. “We’re hoping to get this new audience, and we hope in the end there is a fundraising component with it,” said Amrit Dhillon, communications director for the United Way of Central Maryland.
Taking into account that the economy has been hard on everyone, Beth Kanter articulates a good process for making your holiday charitable giving decisions. The Red Cross found in a recent study that in spite of the economic downtown that most people anticipating donating more than $25 this year during the holiday season. Maybe by using Social Media these charities have a chance of getting those donations by interacting with their audience when they are at their computers, more able to donate online.
All year we’ve heard of social media is being used to change the world: Make Your Mark, SM4SC, 12 for 12k, Social Media for Social Good, Twestivals, Tweetsgiving and countless others. I think it is exciting to see these efforts extend to our holiday traditions and continue the support of those around us in need. Using social media for holiday giving is making it’s mark – but lets not forget that it’s all about the impact.
For a sprig of humor for your holidays, David Alston wrote a great post about transitioning the tradition of Santa into the modern tech world.
Dave McNamara’s fascination with technology began early on as a child, visiting his father at work as a programmer at NASA. Dave is part of the Interactive team working with developing the agency’s web/mobile initiatives and advising on new media strategies. He is graduating this May with an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University concentrating in Information Systems and Security. His perfect morning consists of sipping on a fresh-roasted cup of espresso and listening to old (and new) records.
Wyatt, I love the point you made “Maybe by using Social Media these charities have a chance of getting those donations by interacting with their audience when they are at their computers, more able to donate online.” So true. I can tell you that most of us, and many members of our families, are glued to their computers a lot more than a few years ago. Engaging with the community online is indeed a great differentiator.
And thanks for the link to the Santa post. I had fun writing it. :)
Happy Holidays to you and the rest of the gang.
Cheers.
@davidalston
Hi there Wyatt, thank you so much for mentioning 12for12k alongside these other great social good players. It’s really heartening to see social media being used to help others that very often are bypassed – truly the most social thing we can all do.
Thanks again, very much appreciated and the very best wishes to you and yours this holiday season and beyond.
Danny Brown
Founder, 12for12k.