If you're a sucker for a good cause like I am, you'll want to know about Twitter's Hope140 project. As part of the company's effort to be "a force for good", it has created a site to highlight worthy causes. For those of you who work for nonprofits, this is an easy way to get your charity a bit more attention. Or, if you simply want to promote a cause on your own (meaning you don't work for the group, but simply support its efforts), you can do that, too. If you go to the Hope140 page, just click "contact us" and fill out the brief form (a six-box no brainer). Your charity of choice will then be reviewed by Twitter HQ for possible inclusion on the site. Most of those that are accepted are put on the Case Studies section, where your organization will be profiled (along with a prominent logo and relevant photographs). If you're actively (and creatively!) using Twitter to spread the word about your work, you have a much better chance of being highlighted. After all, practicality would dictate that this altruistic effort is also a nice way to promote the value of Twitter, right?
Other lucky causes may receive a tab of their own on the Hope140 page, as was the case with Hope for Haiti. These organizations and/or campaigns enjoy the added bonuses of donation buttons and showcasing tweets that pertain to the cause.
Nonprofits may also be eligible for a special version of sponsored tweets called Tweet for Good. Details aren't available yet, but just tell Twitter your organization is interested and information will be sent to you as it becomes available. For Twitter newbies, sponsored tweets are essentially ads that earn you money.
So, if your charity could use some added exposure, check out Hope140. It might be a nice addition to your online marketing efforts.
Very interesting. Certainly sounds more promising than Twitter's 'earlybird' idea!
ReplyDeleteEvery day I think I couldn't love Twitter any more and they just do something even better than before! This is desperately needed in the charity community. The papers usually give a 5% discount to charities and that's really not nearly enough. Twitter will be so much more effective for them and I'd love to see eBay Giving Works get involved somehow so I can help, too =)
ReplyDeleteAnita Nelson @ModelSupplies
This is a great way to level all playing fields for the small charity. Many today are in need of this help dearly. I hope this is not the end of a good idea. Thumbs up twitter!
ReplyDeleteThis is great information Amber! I sit on the Board of Trustees for The Fuller Center for Housing, a grass roots housing ministry founded by Millard and Linda Fuller, the founders of Habitat for Humanity in 1976. The Fuller Center kicked off in 2005. The volunteers within the marketing department utilize twitter to make announements. I just signed them up on HOPE! It took a few tries on the email address, it kept saying my email address was invalid, but after hitting send about 7 times, it finally went through.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, hopefully this will give our organization more exposure and thus raise awareness and donations!
Jesse
I tried, but unsuccessfully to find the form at "contact us" could you offer a bit more help? Thanks Ed@CigarPEG.com
ReplyDeleteJessie: Thanks for the comment. I agree. It does sound promising.
ReplyDeleteAnita: Good insight, Miss Twitter 2010. I know you like a good cause and are very giving. I hope this model catches on, too. Thanks for commenting, lovely lady!
Martin: Thanks for chiming in. I looked at your site. Laptops of Love seems like a wonderful cause! Best of luck to you in your efforts---and, readers, check out http://laptopsoflove.com/ to help children suffering from cancer!
Jesse: Sounds like you're doing great work to help charities! That's super! I hope your organization gets selected! Be sure to let us know if it does, ok?
Ed: I'll email you, but all you need to do is hit "contact us" and the form that comes up IS the form to apply. It says "Send Us A Message" and all you need to do is fill in the six boxes.