Some time ago I encouraged our client board members to view an amazing video on YouTube, “Social Media Revolution.” It was the first presentation that convincingly demonstrated how social media tools (like this blog, for example) were being adopted by millions worldwide. The video, by Erik Qualman, has just been updated.
Here are some of the more significant statistics included in his updated presentation:
- Social media is important because it is effective in part because over 50% of the world’s population that is under 30 years old.
- Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the US.
- One in five couples meet online.
- One in five divorces are blamed on Facebook.
- Kindergartens are now learning on iPads, not chalkboards.
- If Facebook were a country, it’d be the world’s third largest.
- A new member joins LinkedIn every second.
- If Wikipedia were made into a book, it would be 2.25 million pages long.
- YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world.
Wondering why YouTube is considered a search engine? Because many people don’t want to have to read; they want to see a presentation, and if possible, be entertained.
The other significant issue Qualman notes is that traditional media is increasingly considered irrelevant and untrustworthy. Peer-to-peer recommendations (such as those found on LinkedIn) are considered more credible. This observation should inform any marketing plan designed to recruit new members, donors, and conference registrants.
Does this mean every nonprofit should jump into social media? Absolutely not. Social media is a tactic–at times a very effective one, but just a tactic. It is not an objective. Its value in reaching those over age 30 is, at times, questionable. Social media can support strategic objectives, but every social media tool is not right for every nonprofit.
And here’s the dirty little secret about social media: It’s easy to create, but extremely time-consuming to maintain (read: expensive). And do you have the content needed to keep it fresh? Because if it’s not fresh, it’s not worth the effort.
We’ll gladly talk with you and your board about social media. I now have more than 70 hours of training in social media and have delivered numerous presentations on the topic. Let us help you find out which social media tool might be right for you.
To see this impressive, informative video, click here.
Social media will eventually be important for every nonprofit. Whether it’s what you need–and can afford–now, is another matter.
Have a thought on this topic? Please leave a comment by clicking on the button below. That’s one of the benefits of this social media tool.
