"I've always felt the true purpose of technology is to help the less fortunate in our society." -@Hugh_W_Forrest #austinforum- "I've always felt the true purpose of technology is to help the less fortunate in our society" Hugh Forrest, director of the South by Southwest Interactive Festival, explained. Though SXSWi is best known as the launch pad for cutting-edge technologies or the happening place for innovators in technology, nonprofits have long had a presence at SXSW. Since the beginning, there has been a nonprofit tract in the program offerings, said Hugh. However, the high-profile of "start-ups and movie stars" present at the festival, overshadows nonprofit, social entrepreneurship, and activist programming. Along with nonprofit social media gurus Heidi Adams of LiveStrong and David Neff of Light.Camera.Help, Hugh set out to rectify that situation by discussing the importance of social media, technology, and SXSWi to the nonprofit sector.
RT @OscarDavila: Tonight's #austinforum speakers talking about social media and nonprofits. @Hugh_W_Forrest @heidisa @daveiam http://pic.twitter.com/oODttMoX- Austin's Nonprofit CommunityAs seasoned nonprofit professionals and founders, Heidi and David gave insight into the community, and opportunities for improvement. With over 6,000 organizations based in the Central Texas region alone, there is a lot of competition. Given the sheer number of charitable organizations, there are many cases of duplication of services, or overlap in the services offered in the community. Both David and Heidi bemoaned the lack of collaboration in the nonprofit community. "There are a limited number of donors," said Heidi. With so many nonprofits, many similar organizations are competing for the same funding, publicity, supporters, instead using that energy to work together.
Big issue of nonprofits in Austin is the lack of collaboration #austinforum
Coordinating with your competition for the common good--the dilemma for the #nonprofit. #austinforum- Nonprofits Using TechnologyHugh then steered the conversation toward Heidi and David to discuss how nonprofits can leverage technology. David, founder of Lights.Camera.Help, advised organizations to take advantage of video to promote their message. Nonprofits should not "tell their story, but show their story" explained David. Nonprofits get so caught up in their own issue, they have difficulty simply explaining their impact. "No one," said David, "wants to see a video of your executive director talking for 15 minutes." Heidi elaborated on nonprofit videos, "the power of video is to put a face on the issue," beyond facts and figures. Dave urged nonprofits to think in "3D," and offered Badgerdog Literacy as a great example of an agency showing their impact, not just telling.
- "The power of video is to put a face on the issue" Heidi Adams #austinforum
- Heidi, Senior Director of Engagement for LiveStrong led a thoughtful conversation on engagement for nonprofit organizations, beyond social media. Nonprofits need to engage their constituencies in meaningful ways beyond simply posting information on social media outlets. Instead, organizations need to think "interactivity," like gaming, to interest supporters.LiveStrong's yellow bands were possibly the last thing that went "viral" without relying on social media. With over 80 million sold, Heidi finds the factors that drove the campaign's success similar to elements in social media. Individuals "bought the Livestrong band as a badge and as a way to connect with something larger" she explained. Gamification and social media can are the new tools to leverage people's desire to connect with cause.
The livestrong bracelets are the last marketing campaign pre-social media! #austinforum
GAME-IFICATION! Make technology fun. Make non-profit message fun. Reward specific behavior. - SXSW trend predicted by @daveiam #austinforum- David recommended HelpAttack as a useful tool for nonprofit organizations for interactivity and to leverage social media into fundraising dollars. HelpAttack harnesses "social media noise" by allowing people to give when they share or tweet information.Heidi urged nonprofit organizations not to be afraid of social media or to interact with constituents. The main reason nonprofit leadership and board are hesitant because they fear negative comments or interactions. However, the speakers explained, negative comments happen, whether the organization is a part of the conversation, or not. Dave encouraged nonprofit organizations to talk to the people posting negative comments, "even if it's scary." Organizations will only learn how to improve from the experience.
- Don't be afraid of social media! If someone posts a negative comment about your non-profit, talk to them (even if it's scary). #austinforum
Pic of the panelists at tonight's #austinforum. Totally wishing I could go to #SXSWi to see more folks like them. :( pic.twitter.com/eslS4oeRom/eslS4oeR- Nonprofits and Start-upsHugh led the conversation to discuss the similarities between start-ups and nonprofit organizations. Both share the "missionary like zeal" type of energy, shared Heidi, who founded PlanetCancer in the 1990s. Also similarly, nonprofits and start-ups work "endlessly" to keep the organization moving forward, she continued. However, eventually, nonprofits face issues of sustainability that start-ups do not. Start-ups may solicit angel investments, but the goal is to eventually turn a profit. Nonprofits, however, never expect to generate profit, and must constantly request funding to stay in operation. Because of this constant funding issue, its harder for startup nonprofits to "hire employee number 1, and on" to advance the organization, explained Dave.
RT @sarafperalta: "Running a #nonprofit is like running a small business, but more complicated..."- @daveiam #Nonprofits #truth #austinforum- You will work 27 hours a day...8 days a week. #lifeofanonprofitemployee #austinforum
- Take-AwayDave and Heidi urged nonprofits to attend SXSWi. Nonprofits have a place there are responsible for staying on top of technology as part of good stewardship to their constituencies and funders. SXSWi is "different than anything else" nonprofit communicators attend, and will inspire creativity. Further, Dave said, you can go to SXSWi to "find out what's going to be hot in 2 years."
SXSWi is really about creativity. The language all the creative people are speaking at SXSWi is technology. #austinforum
"I go to @sxsw to find out what's going to be hot in 2 years." #austinforum
Not everyone thrilled by the presentation at #austinforum (but its actually pretty good) pic.twitter.com/zedPthj6om/zedPthj6
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Lost among start-ups and stars: Nonprofits at SXSW Interactive
"A Preview to SXSW Interactive: Social Media & Non-Profits," hosted by the Austin forum, featuring Hugh Forrest, Heidi Adams, and Dave Neff
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