Despite what some might think, even Africa is getting online.
(Click the image to access individual site links.)
Nick Aldridge, CEO of MissionFish helps charities raise money on eBay. He also writes inspiring, informative pieces about the potential and pitfalls of social media and web 2.0.
On the Social Enterprise Magazine website, Nick talks about why social enterprises (and by extension you could add other Third Sector organisations – charities, non-profits, community organisations and other social/eco innovators) should be thinking hard about how to handle the new paradigm emerging.
Authenticity, yet again, is seen as a priority. Something we need to explore more in practical ways. In essence, think “do what you are”, “be who you are”. A congruent, human, appropriate identity emerges.
“The fundamental idea is that the Internet is now a huge forum where people can interact with each other and generate their own content. A bundle of technologies, such as blogs, feeds and widgets (check Wikipedia!) have grown up to catalyse and spread user generated content.
“The result is that customers or donors are no longer passive recipients of marketing messages, which many now actively and vociferously challenge…
“This undoubtedly makes things more complicated for social enterprises, but also more exciting. A real-life supporter or client talking authentically about your work to a large network of friends is worth a dozen beautifully crafted press releases.”
Thanks for your perspective Nick. Thanks to all at Social Enterprise Magazine for putting together a great publication and website.
As an aside… Would be good to see some appropriate social media / interactivity come into Social Enterprise Magazine. I know this is going on in other places (eg. UnLtd World and Ammado), but there is still a chance here to engage on your specific content, even just to the degree that the Guardian, Times and client-specific publications like the RSA Journal are doing… but different. Perhaps focussing interaction between readers not between readers and editors.
Continues on the Social Enterprise Magazine website here…
Other items you might find useful:
Social Media for the Third Sector – at Shine Unconference 08
Content is now the fastest commodity on the web. It is being produced and consumed by the users in an infinite cycle. The future of content is with users. I have an interesting video to showcase the same and future of media at
http://likeiknowit.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/prometeus-the-media-revolution/
By: Anubhav on 14 May, 2008
at 2:20 pm
Hi Libby, great write up. Nick’s article is quite interesting and of course, thanks for the ammado mention :)
Anubhav, that is an excellent video. It’s a bit over exaggerated in places though but I think one of its purposes was to show that anything can happen in a digital age. (I quite liked the combination of the Google and Microsoft logo, will never happen though) (probably will never happen…)
By: Cormac @ ammado on 16 May, 2008
at 9:42 am