The Power of Twitter for Social Change

[Post also seen on Bandwidth]

In the last 8 months or so the digital team has been working with Toronto based charity War Child, working on awareness campaigns, speaking events and fund raising initiatives. Starting with the Help Child Soldiers campaign last December (creative, art direction and production by the fine folks at john st.-who graciously brought us in for the social media/PR activation), to the Twitter-based #BeAHero program–War Child has jumped into the social media scene with both feet.

But aside from these very cool programs, one of our proudest achievements for the charity came from a one hour Twitter 101 session with War Child founder Dr. Samantha Nutt. Knowing that Sam was soon headed on a field trip to Darfur, @TopsatWarChild and I saw the opportunity to share real-time experiences in the heart of a war zone with the Twitter community. Her participation on Twitter was a tangible way to bring a face to the valuable programs that War Child brings to war-torn countries.

A self proclaimed technophobe, Sam’s buy-in was less than in the bag. During the session, she kept her skepticism in check but fully visible. However, by the end of the 60 minutes success was ours when she casually looked up and said, “so how do I get this set up?” And her Twitter profile was online: @NuttsAtWarChild

Fast forward a couple months later:
• Sam Twittered during her entire trip through the very dangerous regions of Darfur
• She’s gained over 800 followers

And now in a 180 degree flip she is speaking to the power of Twitter on such outlets as CityTV and Discovery Channel . Take a look, as the newly self proclaimed ‘Twit’ discussed how effective Twitter has become for War Child: Click here

Just a soul whose intentions are good…

…Oh lord please don’t let me be misunderstood

It’s not just an amazing tune given to us  from the great Nina Simone (and then again by the Animals), it’s also my Twitter Bio. Something I had posted for fun without really thinking about when I set up my profile. I was only reminded of it when one of my newest Twitter friends Rajesh pointed out that whenever he saw me tweet, it would pop into his head.

It got me thinking, what a great song it was and how truly applicable it is to communicators  in this business who are constantly  walking the fine line between practicing what we preach (i.e.  remaining individual and unique–keeping it ‘real’ if you will) and remembering that we’re in a fish bowl that never forgets.  Of course, top of mind is the Ketchum/Fed Ex saga that played itself out on social media big screen just last week.

When you first read that letter from Fed Ex management, you can’t help but cringe at the glaring error in judgment the Ketchum exec made by taking shots at the company’s hometown of Memphis–especially when they are part of a revitalization effort for the area in question-ouch!

But I can’t help but want to cut him some slack. While misguided, his intentions weren’t filled with malice or hate. His mistake was one we could all find ourselves in at some point. With social media tools becoming second nature to us, and Twitter feeds taking on stream of consciousness reflexivity, all you need to do is add a few savvy clients to the mix and what happened last week is all but guaranteed.

And isn’t that the point? To make all clients social media savvy?

While we continue to try and keep it ‘real’, and at the same time strive to connect our clients with these tools, I just hope that if I ever find myself in the same situation, someone will remember to sing the chorus of that song for me.

Profile Tune-Ups

Every so often I get the urge to go through my online profiles and do a little tidying up. Taking an inventory of where I exist online is overwhelming, considering all the upkeep that needs to happen, and I am by far not as connected as I could be. Right now, you can find me on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Wikispaces, Delicious, Yammer, and more that I don’t even remember I have accounts to.

Some I use more than others. Some require more time than I often have to give. Some are so cool that I don’t care how long it takes, I just love them.

How do people manage? All the passwords and login names–I still haven’t master the art of this. Each platform gears to a different audience and therefore requires different content from me. Keeping track of who’s keeping track of me is exhausting. Mitch Joel described it pretty well, saying Facebook is your past, MySpace is your present, and Linkedin is your future.  I’d almost entirely agree with that, except maybe label MySpace as my music provider. But nonetheless, they’re all important.

Twitter is sometimes my feedreader, Delicious is often my research partner, and Wikispaces is my collaborator. My bet is Yammer will soon be my water cooler…but the verdict is still out.

So knowing all this, I take a few hours every so often and truly geek out. Tweaking settings and changing profile pictures and polishing everything up just so. Just the way my OCD-brain likes it in that particular moment.

And all is right with the world again.  

* Cartoon by Oliver Widder @ Geekandpoke.typepad.com

Do you fit the Status Quo?

Ever hear a patient (or not so patient) parent urge a small child to “use your words”? It’s good advice. And not just for those of us snowballing into a temper tantrum. Lately, it seems like many people are using their words. But in a way much different than traditional communications. At a time where social networks are thriving–words, sentences, even punctuation, are becoming this digital world’s currency.

Don’t believe me? I would bet, if you’re reading this blog, that you could name at least 5 of your Facebook friends that take ultimate pride in their daily Status updates. There are whole websites dedicated to the funniest, smartest, most outrageous status’. Maybe you are one of them. I certainly am. There is nothing better than when I can post a quip or half sentence that makes me smile–and if it makes others smile, all the better! If you’re not one of the yet, the Star has some great tips on getting started.

When you think about it, isn’t Friendfeed and twitter close to the equivalent of showing off your bling in the form of links, breaking news or sarcastic banter. “See how smart I am, how funny I can be, watch me count down to my vacation or wedding or ‘Half Birthday’”…

Which frankly, don’t get me started on how annoying countdowns are. How cliché, how pedestrian…;) Because of course with every symbol of status, there are those of us who will tear it apart and judge to no end.

So choose you words carefully, your entire social network is watching…and casting a judging eye.