I’m one of those “old” pros who just a few short years ago thought social media, and blogs were only for young people who wanted to socialize with their friends. For most of my career, I have been a nonprofit professional, working with large organizations as fundraising counsel for their major gift, capital and endowment campaigns. One day, while visiting my then 35 year old daughter and my son in law, I was told about the marketing value of blogs for professionals. I had been involved with CharityChannel.com and had participated on their list-serves but had not been exposed to blogs or social media. I was curious and asked them to give me more information. After about ½ hour of instruction, I was set up with a Google Blog. (www.nfpconsulting.blogspot.com)
Over the course of my career I had, from time to time, written short professional articles and decided to post some of them on the blog and with CharityChannel. I even created a few new postings over the ensuing 2-3 months. My son-in-law suggested that I use social media to “drive business to my blog” which was also linked to my business web site.
I went to Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter and set up accounts which I primarily used to notify “friends and colleagues” when I posted a new item on my blog. Over time I learned about the value of viral marketing. It did not take long before I began to get comments about my articles and requests for their use with other organizations. Within a few months, I received requests from a University to use one of the articles in their newsletter as well as from several national nonprofit associations and organizations.
I also posted several of my articles from the blog on CharityChannel which resulted in great feedback and requests to reprint the articles. Through CharityChannel, I established a relationship with its Founder and CEO, Steve Nill. He was very encouraging and graciously posted more of my articles on their web site.
It was not only a boost to my career to be published, but it was also an ego trip. I began to establish a national reputation as a thought leader in my profession. I set up a Google alert for my name and low and behold, many of the articles I had written came up on sites of other organizations which had reprinted my articles as resources for their own constituencies.
Soon after, Steve Nill and I had discussions about doing a book that would include the best articles from CharityChannel. He asked if I would put it together. CharityChannel had just set up CharityChannel Press and had already published its first books. I told him I was not familiar with putting a book together or working with a publisher, nor did I think I had the time that would be necessary. He said he might be able to get me a co-editor who had a lot of book editing experience. I told him I would consider it. He introduced me by phone to Linda Lysakowski. After talking to her, I was convinced that she had the professional knowledge, and editing skills, that the book was a great idea and working with her would help tremendously.
I was in Florida. She was in Las Vegas. We became email and phone buddies, spending lots of time thinking through what we wanted to do and how we would do it. We spent 2 years on the project. During that time we only had one face to face meeting. Contributors were selected from around the globe (Canada, Great Britain, Australia and the United States). With the help and professional generosity of many of our colleagues, we presented “You and Your Nonprofit” to CharityChannel Press for publication.
It came out in June of 2011 and has received a lot of attention not only within the nonprofit sector (professional, academic and volunteer community) but also for the two of us and the 40 plus contributing authors.
My desire to share my knowledge with others, as others have for me throughout my career, gave me encouragement and recognition. Most recently I made a presentation, to the faculty, students and community partners at the college from which I graduated. (Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work). That was another special time for me to be able to talk about the content in the book and engage with those attending on other topics related to future trends within the nonprofit sector.
Who would have guessed that a ½ hour of instruction, the use of social media and a blog would lead to the publication of a significant book on nonprofit management, leadership and fundraising.
Think about how similar activities could catapult your professional career…………
Showing posts with label CharityChannel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CharityChannel. Show all posts
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Great new resource now available
Want to learn more about nonprofit leadership, management and fundraising?
Involvement with nonprofits, either as a volunteer, professional or donor, can be a very gratifying and life enriching experience. In organizations that are not well run, those experiences can be negative and stressful. Nonprofits are a special type of corporation. While they do not make money for stockholders or owners, they have to be run effectively and efficiently if they want to accomplish their mission, provide a community benefit, expand and retain staff and volunteers. Yes, while they are unique, they ARE businesses that require proper leadership, governance, operations and support.
If you are involved in nonprofits, or want to get involved…..either as a volunteer, leader or professional….a new book is now available that is just for you! “You and Your Nonprofit”, published by CharityChannel Press is a collection of short articles with practical advice from people who have been in the trenches. It is more than a “how to” book. Each article has been written with the goal of providing tools that can be easily adapted for use in your nonprofit. Over 50 contributing authors from the U.S., Canada, England and Australia have participated in this publication. All are seasoned professionals and nonprofit leaders who have learned their craft over many years “in the trenches” as well as from participation in professional educational programs. A unique aspect of the book is the ability to connect with each of the authors and establish a dialogue with them directly. Each article has a special email address through which authors can be contacted by readers.
The goal of the book is to focus on readers who are relatively new to the nonprofit sector. The editors asked authors to write for readers (professionals, leaders and volunteers) who have been in the field for less than ten years. They wanted readers to find the articles not only informative and interesting, but also practical examples of best practices. They wanted readers to be able to take ideas and suggestions from the articles and be able to implement them within their own organizations.
The editors wanted to create a book that would be more than just an anthology of essays, but, rather, a series of articles written by professionals who have real life experience and have been in the trenches of nonprofit work. They did not expect the book to be an all-inclusive book on nonprofit leadership, management and fundraising, However, they believe that the business of nonprofit management, leadership and fundraising is constantly improving because people like the authors (and hopefully the readers) are willing to challenge conventional wisdom and think outside of the box. They have succeeded.
Robert Carter, CFRE, Board Chair Elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Board Member with the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University and Principal with Of Counsel Philanthropy made the following comments as part of his foreword to the book:
“I have just read the book I needed when I made the decision to try the business of fundraising decades ago. This book is loaded with excellent advice and counsel as to “why & why not” and “what” and “how to.” Fundraisers, volunteers, CEOs, and all who care about this sector’s capacity to meet the needs and seize opportunities to benefit our communities, nation and world should have this collection on their desks for handy reference and guidance. This is surely the book I wish I had decades ago.”
Readers will learn about planning issues in articles about governance, fundraising, administration and marketing. They will learn about leadership and other topics in many of the articles. The authors want readers to enjoy learning about nonprofit management, leadership and fundraising and in the process learn ways to add value to their own work as people who are, or will be, engaged in the nonprofit sector.
“You and Your Nonpofit”, has been nominated for the 21st Annual Terry McAdam Book Award of the Alliance for Nonprofit Mangagement and has been recommended by Charity Navigator and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
“You and Your Nonprofit” can be purchased at http://charitychannel.com/charitychannel-press/bookstore/productid/127/catreferrer/1420 or at your favorite bookstore.
Involvement with nonprofits, either as a volunteer, professional or donor, can be a very gratifying and life enriching experience. In organizations that are not well run, those experiences can be negative and stressful. Nonprofits are a special type of corporation. While they do not make money for stockholders or owners, they have to be run effectively and efficiently if they want to accomplish their mission, provide a community benefit, expand and retain staff and volunteers. Yes, while they are unique, they ARE businesses that require proper leadership, governance, operations and support.
If you are involved in nonprofits, or want to get involved…..either as a volunteer, leader or professional….a new book is now available that is just for you! “You and Your Nonprofit”, published by CharityChannel Press is a collection of short articles with practical advice from people who have been in the trenches. It is more than a “how to” book. Each article has been written with the goal of providing tools that can be easily adapted for use in your nonprofit. Over 50 contributing authors from the U.S., Canada, England and Australia have participated in this publication. All are seasoned professionals and nonprofit leaders who have learned their craft over many years “in the trenches” as well as from participation in professional educational programs. A unique aspect of the book is the ability to connect with each of the authors and establish a dialogue with them directly. Each article has a special email address through which authors can be contacted by readers.
The goal of the book is to focus on readers who are relatively new to the nonprofit sector. The editors asked authors to write for readers (professionals, leaders and volunteers) who have been in the field for less than ten years. They wanted readers to find the articles not only informative and interesting, but also practical examples of best practices. They wanted readers to be able to take ideas and suggestions from the articles and be able to implement them within their own organizations.
The editors wanted to create a book that would be more than just an anthology of essays, but, rather, a series of articles written by professionals who have real life experience and have been in the trenches of nonprofit work. They did not expect the book to be an all-inclusive book on nonprofit leadership, management and fundraising, However, they believe that the business of nonprofit management, leadership and fundraising is constantly improving because people like the authors (and hopefully the readers) are willing to challenge conventional wisdom and think outside of the box. They have succeeded.
Robert Carter, CFRE, Board Chair Elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Board Member with the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University and Principal with Of Counsel Philanthropy made the following comments as part of his foreword to the book:
“I have just read the book I needed when I made the decision to try the business of fundraising decades ago. This book is loaded with excellent advice and counsel as to “why & why not” and “what” and “how to.” Fundraisers, volunteers, CEOs, and all who care about this sector’s capacity to meet the needs and seize opportunities to benefit our communities, nation and world should have this collection on their desks for handy reference and guidance. This is surely the book I wish I had decades ago.”
Readers will learn about planning issues in articles about governance, fundraising, administration and marketing. They will learn about leadership and other topics in many of the articles. The authors want readers to enjoy learning about nonprofit management, leadership and fundraising and in the process learn ways to add value to their own work as people who are, or will be, engaged in the nonprofit sector.
“You and Your Nonpofit”, has been nominated for the 21st Annual Terry McAdam Book Award of the Alliance for Nonprofit Mangagement and has been recommended by Charity Navigator and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
“You and Your Nonprofit” can be purchased at http://charitychannel.com/charitychannel-press/bookstore/productid/127/catreferrer/1420 or at your favorite bookstore.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Best Kept Secret
Best Kept Secret in the Nonprofit Sector
Norman Olshansky: President
NFP Consulting Resources, Inc.
It seems strange to me that one of the best resources for nonprofit leaders and professionals, has such a low profile.
This resource was founded in 1992 by an individual who saw a need for nonprofit leaders and professionals to “connect, share and discuss pertinent challenges and issues”.
Even though over 100,000 people are subscribers today, few in our sector know about it. This resource has listserves, newsletters and courses for those who are interested or involved in nonprofit fundraising, technology, grants, boards, planned giving, foundations, governance, management, legal issues, major gifts, capital campaigns, consulting and more. Do you have an interest in nonprofit public relations, human resources, risk management, events, research, stewardship, accounting, or volunteers? You can connect with thousands of others who want to share ideas, answer questions, and provide support for each other. This is a resource where you will find newcomers and seasoned professionals.
If you are looking for reviews of new books related to philanthropy and nonprofits, they provide that too.
Do you prefer to chat online, communicate by video, or audio? You can do all three through this resource.
Looking for a career in the nonprofit sector? Yes, they have job listings too.
I have been an avid fan and subscriber for years and find it to be an excellent resource for those who are serious about their involvement within the nonprofit sector.
It started and continues today under the leadership of Steve Nill, lawyer, technology guru and nonprofit consultant. I still don’t know how they are able to provide such an extensive service at such a low subscription. They do not advertise broadly which is why you may not have heard about them.
Too good to be true? Not at all. Check out www.CharityChannel.com
Norman Olshansky: President
NFP Consulting Resources, Inc.
It seems strange to me that one of the best resources for nonprofit leaders and professionals, has such a low profile.
This resource was founded in 1992 by an individual who saw a need for nonprofit leaders and professionals to “connect, share and discuss pertinent challenges and issues”.
Even though over 100,000 people are subscribers today, few in our sector know about it. This resource has listserves, newsletters and courses for those who are interested or involved in nonprofit fundraising, technology, grants, boards, planned giving, foundations, governance, management, legal issues, major gifts, capital campaigns, consulting and more. Do you have an interest in nonprofit public relations, human resources, risk management, events, research, stewardship, accounting, or volunteers? You can connect with thousands of others who want to share ideas, answer questions, and provide support for each other. This is a resource where you will find newcomers and seasoned professionals.
If you are looking for reviews of new books related to philanthropy and nonprofits, they provide that too.
Do you prefer to chat online, communicate by video, or audio? You can do all three through this resource.
Looking for a career in the nonprofit sector? Yes, they have job listings too.
I have been an avid fan and subscriber for years and find it to be an excellent resource for those who are serious about their involvement within the nonprofit sector.
It started and continues today under the leadership of Steve Nill, lawyer, technology guru and nonprofit consultant. I still don’t know how they are able to provide such an extensive service at such a low subscription. They do not advertise broadly which is why you may not have heard about them.
Too good to be true? Not at all. Check out www.CharityChannel.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)