Social media resolutions
Since 2010 and the winter gift-giving holidays are both over, it's time to start thinking about the new year and a fresh list of resolutions. As I began thinking about what my list could be for 2011, I thought of some social media resolutions I and others could make for the new year. Whether you're a social media super user or a newbie, there's always something we can do better to contribute to our online community or get more out of our time online. Here are a few social media resolutions I've thought of - adopt a few or add your own.
1. Listen to other people.
Whenever someone wants to suggest that social media makes people more narcissistic, all they have to do is cite the stat that half of Twitter users never read anything anyone else has to say. If this is you, not only does this make you sound like a self-centered jerk, you're also missing out on the best part of social media. I can't imagine the value of Twitter if not to engage with and learn from others.
2. Don't talk about yourself so much.
Personal stories, especially when used to demonstrate a larger truth or when told in humility, can be great ways to share your thoughts. But, as Geoff Livingston discovered, people don't always like reading about you as much as you like writing about it. He took on an experiment in December where he resolved not to use the words me, myself or I for one month in an effort to refocus his blog, and he found that traffic doubled during that time.
3. If you can't say something nice...well, you know the rest.
I'm all for lively discussion and debate via social media. Many of the best blog posts are those that become forums in which people can hash out issues and hopefully move toward a consensus. In a time in which media outlets are so segmented that you can read your daily paper, listen to your preferred radio station and tune in to your favorite news programs without ever hearing an opinion you disagree with, social media can provide a much needed platform for public discourse. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to hide behind the anonymity of a computer and post things that are snarky and hateful. If we all resolved to refrain from posting things we wouldn't say to someone's face, that might go a long way.
4. Try something new on for size.
There are so many new platforms, there's always something new to try. Never tried Gowalla, Google Reader, Causes, Sparked or one of many other tools? Spend a little time trying one out and see what you're missing.
5. Think before you post.
Transparency is great, but every now and then, we take a ride on the oversharing train. As we've seen through a few painful rounds of Facebook privacy outrage, deleting what we have posted online is not always as easy as it should be. So think about what you say, upload and tag, and check your privacy settings so you know who has access to your information online.
6. Don't be the strong, silent type.
Instead of just reading, get involved in the conversation by leaving a comment on a blog post, responding to a tweet or making a recommendation on foursquare. You have valuable things to contribute, so don't be shy about joining in the discussion.
7. Use it for good.
Maybe you spend a lot of time online - you have more Facebook friends than you realized you had in real life and hoards of Twitter followers. There's nothing wrong with using social media to catch up with old friends and make new contacts, but this year, you can also try using your online networks for good. Ask your friends to give to a birthday cause or simply share an issue or organization you care about with your friends and followers.
8. Pass it on.
Have a parent, coworker or friend who is still behind the times? Take a few minutes to show them how to get started and share some of the tips you've learned along the way.
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Reflecting on 2010: Our ten most popular blog posts of the year
This article by Stephanie Hackman was originally posted on the Case Foundation website.
It's that time again, when we approach the close of the year and look back to reflect on all that's happened over the past year. On our blogs, we've written about a lot of topics in 2010 from new technologies to nonprofit jobs to entrepreneurship, and everything in between. As we look back at 2010, we wanted to share our top ten most popular posts from the Case Foundation and Social Citizens blogs, in case you missed them or want to re-visit some of your favorites. And here they are, in no particular order. Enjoy!
1. AGC Conversational Case Studies: Darius Goes West: Inspiring fans to share their story with pride and joy
As part of this year's AGC 2009 Assessment and Reflection report, Beth Kanter and Allison Fine wrote a series of "AGC Conversational Case Studies," highlighting many of the winners and sharing successful tactics and lessons learned. This post takes a look at the small nonprofit Darius Goes West and their recipe for success, which included strong relationship building and effective storytelling.
2. Nonprofit Jobs: Interview with Idealist.org's Ami Dar and Meg Busse
We interviewed the founder and executive director of Idealist.org, Ami Dar, who shared his thoughts on the outlook for nonprofit jobs in this economy, advice for those looking for jobs in the nonprofit sector, and other benefits the Idealist site offers.
3. The painful acknowledgment of coming up short
As in the business sector, initiatives in the nonprofit world don't always go as planned. But failures in the nonprofit sector are often swept under the rug. Our CEO, Jean Case, reflects on lessons learned when an investment fell short of its goals, and the inspiration to move forward.
4. A lost generation of entrepreneurs? I think I found them
On Social Citizens, Kristin Ivie responds to the assertion that the Millennial generation is lacking entrepreneurs. Kristin suggests that the start-ups of this latest generation are more focused on mission than money and points to numerous entrepreneurs who have created socially-conscious companies or are in the nonprofit sector.
5. 7 tips for young change-makers and idealists
This post on Social Citizens shares advice for those just entering the nonprofit world. The list of tips includes finding a mentor, connecting with others and setting goals to evaluate progress.
6. Nonprofits, here's what NOT to do on social media.
As more and more nonprofits are embracing social media, the question is asked: are there things nonprofits should not do on social media? Sokunthea collects responses from social media experts, nonprofit leaders and the Case Foundation staff.
7. Palestinian Venture Fund creates opportunity and optimism
Jean Case writes about the Middle East Venture Capital Fund, which will invest in entrepreneurial Internet, mobile and software companies in the West Bank. The fund highlights our belief that you can do well by doing good, in this case by making contributions towards creating a viable and stable Palestinian state while receiving a financial and social return on investment.
8. Is social media creating an empathy deficit?
A study released this summer suggests that Millennials are less empathetic than generations before them, in part due to increased use of social media. Kari Dunn Saratovsky makes this argument on Social Citizens and shares her belief that all relationships and connections require empathy--both online and off.
9. The White House embraces wisdom of the crowds. What do you think?
As part of the foundation's efforts to encourage citizen involvement in decisions affecting them, we teamed up with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and theDomestic Policy Council to discuss lessons and strategies from experiments in prizes, challenges and open grantmaking. In the post, Michael Smith raises tough questions to be discussed and points to the CaseSoup interviews with speakers from the event.
10. What will it take to spark innovation and entrepreneurship in the nation? Share your ideas with Steve Case and NACIE! [Video]
As co-chair of the Obama Administration’s newly formed National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE), our chairman Steve Case shares his thoughts after the council's first meeting in a video post. He also encourages you to send in your thoughts and ideas on what it will take to spark innovation and entrepreneurship in the nation.
Have a favorite Case Foundation or Social Citizens post we didn't mention? Let us know what you enjoyed reading on our blog in 2010 in the comments below.
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So Long 2010, Hello 2011!
By all accounts, 2010 was a big year for Millennials. The year brought a number of memorable challenges, changes and events that impacted all of our daily lives. For many, 2010 will be remembered as the year Chilean miners survived underground in a collapsed mine for 69 days; record unemployment hit the US; and when natural disasters left a trail of devastation and destruction around the world.
For Millennials, these are some of the monumental “firsts” that will define and shape their generation.
With such an eventful year about to end, we at Social Citizens wondered how Millennials might reflect on it. We turned to some of our very own Millennials at the Case Foundation and asked them what it means to be a Millennial and what the future might hold for them and their peers.
Josh, Molly and Rachel share their thoughts about hope, community involvement and the promise of an uncertain future.
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The Millennials Who Would be King and Queen
When news outlets confirmed that Prince William and Kate Middleton were engaged, I have to admit, it broke my heart just a little bit. My relationship with Prince William is a complicated one. You see, it did not really start to take shape until his mother, Princess Diana passed away in dramatic fashion in 1997. It was on this day that most felt sympathy, compassion and adoration—not for Prince William and his brother Prince Harry—but rather, for two young boys who had just lost their mother.
Enter Kate Middleton, who as of this past October is perhaps better known as Prince William's fiance. With the recent flurry of photos and online articles about Will and Kate’s (we’re on a first name basis now) engagement, it’s a reminder that time has not stood still for the last 13 years. For many, Will has “grown up” in front of our eyes, and now he (and Kate) are forging their own identities—which includes being a Millennial. They are by no means your average Millennials of course, but they are most definitely Millennials in many respects. Looking at them from this perspective has dramatically changed our relationship and the way I look at them, and their futures.
Channeling Sherlock Holmes
Pondering the fate of the future “Millennial royal family” I began to wonder what that label just might mean for them, for their generation and for their country. Knowing that one day they may be King and Queen of England, how might their Millennial characteristics impact their decisions? Similarly, while I’m not holding my breath for the engaged couple to take the Social Citizens Quiz, I do wonder how Will and Kate measure up when it comes to being Millennial models of Social Citizenship?
Advice Fit for Royalty
When the Social Citizens report was released in 2008, there were several important and unanswered questions about Millennials and how they operate as Social Citizens. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions per se, and they remain unanswered to this day. Looking at the questions with fresh eyes, I think Will and Kate are in a unique position—as Millennials, as Social Citizens and as royalty—to respond.
What do you think they might say if posed the following questions taken from the Social Citizens paper? How might the answers impact their choices and decisions?
- Is Access Granted or Taken? A generation of young people accustomed to immediate, open access in most areas has been effectively shut out of public decision making on issues and policies that affect their lives. Can older people and organizations rectify this situation, or do young people simply need to stop waiting to be asked to the dance?
- Are Bubble Cultures Inescapable? Social networking, technology and cultural shifts are quickly changing the way we communicate and interact with one another. Today’s world is focused on “homogenous networks, and self-organizing magnifies cliques.” The views of young people are therefore likely to be shaped almost entirely by their closest relations and friends. There is very little chance that they will come to fresh, unfettered opinions about issues on their own within these boundaries. With the almost ubiquitous use and prevalence of social networks, how can we prevent living in a “bubble culture?”
- Does Government Really Matter? We are witnessing “a generational shift in which young citizens tend to express areas of interest and concern, but often see those interests as unconnected, or even negatively related to government.” While Millennials are pragmatic and not prone to extreme ideologies, they are left without an overarching political philosophy to guide their interest in or opinion of government affairs. They have a sense of futility about political involvement, particularly with regard to changing policy—the kinds of strategies tried by their parents with little or no societal impact. How has this impacted how policymaking incorporates the perspective of young people?
- Can Institutions Survive? Should They? In their professional lives, Millennials are wary of institutions, even when they run them. They crave genuine relations, and can instinctively sense when they aren’t there. How will this influence the current and future development of institutions?
Modern Day Millennials
These questions are inherently difficult to answer and illustrate key issues that Millennials will continue to face as their generation ages. While Will and Kate are the subject of today’s post, the issues are relevant to all Millennials who are already embedded in leadership roles and paths and who will one day be the kings and queens, presidents, parents, justices, CEOs and teachers who shape our world.
How will these issues of access, culture, government and institutionalism evolve and will they continue to be challenges for the Millennial generation? How do you think members of other generations might help influence or cultivate social citizenship among Millennials?
Photo by Mario Testino/Clarence House Press Office via Getty Images
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