Comments on: Getting the Personal – Professional Mix Right in Social Media

By: To Tweet Or Not To Tweet? The Dilemma of an Association Blogger | Geek Soap Box

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:23:19 +0000

[...] linked this weekend to a pretty cool slide show on “personal vs. professional social media identities” in the world of nonprofit associations. It’s a rather fascinating issue that likely extends [...]

By: Danielle Brigida

Danielle Brigida — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:48:30 +0000

Wow, fantastic post and presentation! We are honored by the mention, and intrigued by how other non-profits are approaching the personal vs. professional conundrum. I absolutely love that social media nourishes authentic marketing and some of the best authentic marketers are your staff (just by being passionate about their job). Figuring out how to empower not only your supporters but the organization’s staff while using social media is definitely one of my priorities. There is always so much to learn!

I’m looking forward to these comments!

By: What We’re Reading, Week of 7/13 « i On Nonprofits

What We’re Reading, Week of 7/13 « i On Nonprofits — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:48:17 +0000

[...] The Nonprofit Communications Blog Getting the Personal-Professional Mix Right in Social Media Using a helpful FlickR slideshow, Kivi Miller tackles the issue of how to mix personal and [...]

By: Kelly Stettner

Kelly Stettner — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:52:39 +0000

I lurked about on Facebook and Twitter a lot before getting my own feet wet, so to speak. I totally agree that posts/tweets should be useful, clever, relevant or at least humorous. There is far too much profanity on FB and too much of the “hey, I got drunk last night!” stuff to be meaningful. If I sit there with nothing specific or pertinent to type, I won’t.

I see these tools as venues for putting a face/life to my organization. Volunteers, donors, and other colleagues can see what I’m up to, how I’m balancing (or failing to balance!) my personal life with the non-profit work I do. Also, potential supporters can get to know me a bit more before committing to volunteer or send a donation.

I see these networks as “friendraising tools,” not fundraising tools. Building the relationship with me, personally, and the organization secondarily. Long-term support can be built that way, but it can also be ruined by off-topic posts, too-personal posts, rants, or inappropriate language.

Kelly Stettner, Director & Founder
Black River Action Team
Springfield, VT

http://www. BlackRiverActionTeam. org
http://twitter.com/BlackRiverBRAT

By: Lisa C

Lisa C — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:43:50 +0000

I think it’s finding what your “clients” want. I started using Twitter originally, because I could post my status in our Ning.com social network group. If they wondered why I had not answered their email in 24 hrs, they could see that I was having a rheumtoid arthritis flare, had had a doctor’s appointment and a program at my son’s school all within the last 12 hrs and understood. My basic Twitter is @lisajcopen and I post my illness articles info, health, etc. including Christian ministry info for my nonprofit restministries.org .

We sponsor Invisible Illness Week, however, and not everyone wants my personal info nor ministry stuff. I just post illness or health-related stuff to this. I also have @scrapbkadoption and @youcansellbooks. I use these for personal ifnromation as well, but it’s directly related to the topic.

For example, the adoption Twitter account has stuff on my son occasionally; the book selling Twitter will feature more personal experiments I am trying, successes, failures, etc. I think MOST people who follow someone on Facebook or Twitter, etc. do want some personal info so they feel they are connected to a person, not company, but the personal info should be directly related to the topic, not a catch all for whatever (odd or otherwise) crosses your mind.

I am seeing less helpful information lately on Twitter. Even the links people post are kind of pointless, not the “best of the best” and more people are using profanity and twitter follower services that just make me unfollow them.