Paying it forward this Christmas with Social Media (8 posts)

Topic tags: pay it forward, social media
  • Profile picture of
    Scout
    said
    1 year, 5 months ago:

    On Headline News a story showed people paying it forward with gift cards and others with donations for those having a tough time.

    How can a small business pay it foward using Social Media other than promoting a local charity or cause?

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  • Profile picture of
    Club Leader
    Rich Brooks said
    1 year, 5 months ago:

    @tomk

    I’m a bit conflicted when it comes to “cause marketing.”

    On the one hand, we chose to post our company card to Facebook rather than print and mail it. We took the money we saved on printing and postage and donated it to a group that helps low-income Mainers pay for their heat. We mentioned it briefly in the post and I had a few people asking me how they could contribute. That was cool.

    On the other side, I see people say “like us and we’ll donate $1 to some local cause.” I always have a dirty feeling with that. Like, if it’s such a good cause, why not just donate to it? Why are you holding Little Suzie’s pain meds hostage until I like you?

    OK, perhaps a little extreme, but when I see (I think it was) Microsoft saying they would donate $1 to the Japan relief fund for each RT up to a certain amount, it had a very negative effect of how I saw the company.

    In short, don’t tie your give into likes or RTs. Just do something and see if you can’t get your fans to support the cause, not your company.

    @rich-brooks | # | Top
  • Keri Jaehnig
    Pioneer
    Keri Jaehnig said
    1 year, 4 months ago:

    @tomk,

    I agree with @rich-brooks – Don’t make your contributions based on likes or tweets.

    Where I think social media can be utilized is partnering.  Businesses and Nonprofits can partner together to rally and bring more awareness to the message:

    * Create a hashtag on Twitter to track conversation and get more people involved.

    * Tagging on Facebook – When both do it, there is a gravity to the message.

    * Welcome Tabs – if coordinated between staffs, can offer notice of partnerships giving credibility to efforts and cause.

    That’s just for starters.

    While that isn’t the exact social button trigger, it is where great things can begin to happen.

    Great question – Hope I’ve offered some help.

    ~Keri

    @connectyou | # | Top
  • Profile picture of
    Scout
    said
    1 year, 4 months ago:

    @connectyou @rich-brooks  I wasn’t making contributions based on likes or tweets.  I guess my question was lost.  I was looking for other ideas to make contributions other than promoting a local cause or charity.

    It was a question to find other peoples ideas for paying it forward but with Social Media as the tool.  I had hoped to hear some unique things I hadn’t heard of.

    I always like the idea of donating without recognition and I wanted to dig out new ideas on how close one could come to that using Social Media.

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  • Profile picture of
    Club Leader
    Rich Brooks said
    1 year, 4 months ago:

    @tomk Social responsibility is becoming more and more important, especially with the Millennium generation who commonly expect companies to be supporting causes in some way. 

    A lot of corporations/small businesses are finding creative ways to build social responsibility directly into their strategy and objectives. 

    For example, TOMS Shoes donates a pair of shoes to a developing nation every single time one pair is bought – the “One-to-One” model. They have been able to grow at a rapid rate and develop a loyal customer base due to their active role in helping impoverished people. These loyal customers tend to take care of the indirect cause marketing for you as they will talk about it on their social networks and share it with their friends. In essence they become your brand ambassadors; supporting your company and your cause.

    It’s important to think about what will be considered a worthy cause to your specific audience and then find ways to incorporate it into your overall strategy.

    I realize this isn’t a list of ideas, but I hope it helps!

    Rich

    @rich-brooks | # | Top
  • Profile picture of
    Scout
    said
    1 year, 4 months ago:

    @rich-brooks  Thanks Rich, that was the kind of idea I was looking for.  Small companies doing something original.  Appreciate your knowledge – Have a great Christmas and enjoy the New Year.

    Tom.

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  • Keri Jaehnig
    Pioneer
    Keri Jaehnig said
    1 year, 4 months ago:

    @tomk,

    Really, @rich-brooks offers the most common example I’ve seen.  Companies and organizations are just now getting creative and digging deeper into their capabilities…that I see.

    What I think is great is when they reach at a time not the Christmas Season.  For worthy causes exist year round.

    I’m hopping back in after unplugging, so I will think on this a bit more and give examples as I find them.

    Hope that’s okay.  :)

    ~Keri

    @connectyou | # | Top
  • Profile picture of
    Scout
    said
    1 year, 4 months ago:

    @connectyou  Keri thanks for the feedback.  Help should be provided year round, very good point.  I appreciate your opinion.

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