MyCharityConnects BlogBloghttp://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012-05-25T00:49:57ZSquarespaceWebinar - Editorial Calendar Essentials: Organize and Plan Your Communicationshttp://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/24/webinar-editorial-calendar-essentials-organize-and-plan-your.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-24T16:37:19Z2012-05-24T16:37:19ZOverwhelmed with the number of social networks that require a constant flow of posts, updates, tweets, etc.? Wondering how to create solid, engaging content that will keep your audiences interested over multiple platforms? Trying to stay organized and on top of everything you’re posting?

What you need is an editorial calendar to help you organize, plan, and track your online (and offline) content. Join Kirstin Beardsley, Marketing & Communications Manager at CanadaHelps as she discusses “Editorial Calendar Essentials” during this week’s Webinar Wednesday.

Learn about:

  • What an editorial calendar is
  • The history of editorial calendars
  • How to use an editorial calendar to organize and plan your online content
  • What tools to use for your editorial calendar
  • Much more!

Missed the webinar? Check out the video below.

]]>5 MORE Reasons to Register for MyCharityConnects 2012!http://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/23/5-more-reasons-to-register-for-mycharityconnects-2012.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-23T20:14:46Z2012-05-23T20:14:46ZStill haven't registered for MyCharityConnects? We've got 5 MORE reasons why MyCharityConnects is right for you! If you missed our first 5 reasons, you can check them out here.

  1. Get better at what you do. Everyone can improve in some areas. Maybe you are curious how to use video to tell your organization's story, or maybe you want to learn how to take your Facebook Page to the next level. Whatever area you want to gain skills in, MyCharityConnects is most likely covering it!
  2. Allison, Matt, and Jon. We have 3 amazing keynote speakers that will inspire, motivate and entertain you. You'll hear from Allison H. Fine, Matt Thompson and Jon Duschinksy, who all know and understand your challenges and will provide priceless insights based on years of experience.
  3. Stellar Eats. We promise that the menu is not going to disappoint! Over the course of the conference, attendees will enjoy 2 delicious breakfasts, 2 mouthwatering lunches, and 4 appetizing snacks. And don't forget about the Collaborators' Cocktail Reception on Tuesday at 5pm, which will feature even more delicious grub!
  4. Get hands-on learning in the Recharge Room. Have questions about a specific tool? Struggling with your strategy? Want to recharge your mobile phone, tablet or laptop? Come visit us in the Recharge Room and let us help you!
  5. To rejuvenate. All of the above reasons are important, but one of the biggest benefits of going to a conference is to fill up your creative well. Listening to people share their stories, talk about their failures and how they climbed out of the hole they were in, is nothing less than inspirational. Sometimes all we need to hear is that someone else is in a similar situation.

Register for the MyCharityConnects Conference today to hear from industry leaders and your peers about how to make your organization's story stand out from the crowd!

Check out the full agenda here: www.mycharityconnects.org/2012agenda. Session descriptions are available here: www.mycharityconnects.org/2012sessions.

Questions or comments? Please contact Kara at karag@canadahelps.org or 416-628-6948 x2398.

]]>Recap: MyCharityConnects Tweet Chat #2http://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/23/recap-mycharityconnects-tweet-chat-2.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-23T17:07:59Z2012-05-23T17:07:59ZDuring the 2nd MyCharityConnects Tweet Chat on Tuesday, there were a few questions about how to use Storify to create a social story so we thought we’d share how we put together our Storify post about the chat that took place on May 22nd at 1:00pm EDT.

For anyone unfamiliar with the tool, Storify allows users to “curate social networks to build social stories”. In other words, you can pull tweets, videos, posts, images, and other content from a variety of social networks and use them to tell your story in one place using engaging and interactive content. You no longer need to embed a plethora of links into a blog post and it definitely makes transcribing a tweet chat, like the #mcc12 chat that took place on Tuesday, quite easy.

Creating an account is a quick and painless process. You can link your Storify account to either Facebook or Twitter and then pick a username and password. Once that’s done, you hit the blue “Create Story” button in the top right corner of your screen, which brings you to a blank page like the one below.

All you have to do is write out a title and description for your story, pick a social network (e.g. Twitter) in the search area on the right hand side of your screen, and search for a username (e.g. @canadahelps) or hashtag (e.g. #mcc12). Once that’s done, you can add text and drag and drop content into your ‘story area’ to put your post together, like we’ve done below.

Check out the complete CanadaHelps' Storify post about the 2nd Tweet Chat at: http://storify.com/canadahelps/2nd-mycharityconnects-tweet-chat or in the slideshow below.

Don't forget to join us for the final #mcc12 Tweet Chat on Tuesday, May 29th at 1:00pm EDT to discuss the upcoming MyCharityConnects conference and #nptech.

Want to know more about Storify, the Conference, or anything else? Ask us in the comments section below!

]]>First Ever MyCharityConnects Tweet Chathttp://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/17/first-ever-mycharityconnects-tweet-chat.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-17T19:13:34Z2012-05-17T19:13:34ZEarlier this week, CanadaHelps hosted its first ever MyCharityConnects Tweet Chat for Canadian charities and nonprofits seeking more information about #nptech, the upcoming Conference, or other topics related to social media, online fundraising, and new technology.

Questions included:

  • What is your current biggest struggle with social media?
  • What topic are you most excited to hear about at the conference?
  • How do you currently measure social media successes and failures?
  • How did you get buy-in for your organization's social media use?

Missed the chat? Check out the transcript on the CanadaHelps Storify page: http://storify.com/canadahelps/mycharityconnects-tweet-chat-mcc12 or check it out below!

Interested in participating next in next week's Tweet Chat? Join us at 1:00pm EDT on Tuesday, May 22nd by using the hashtag #mcc12.

]]>Are you ready for #MCC12?http://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/16/are-you-ready-for-mcc12.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-16T17:38:24Z2012-05-16T17:38:24ZOur good friend Noorin of Platformation was kind enough to write up this post about how to get prepared for MyCharityConnects. Thanks Noorin!

MyCharityConnects is fast approaching and with a ton of great content.  As with previous years, their speaker line up is chock-filled with thought leaders, seasoned digital campaign professionals, and technologists all ready to share their highlights and insights with you.

Since I had the pleasure of attending the MyCharityConnects conference last year I'm going to share some of my super-secret conference tips with you to make the most out of your experience.

  1. Bring lots of business cards: MyCharityConnects is a great place to connect with lots of other like-minded individuals doing interesting world across the country.  Having a business card handy will ensure that you will be able to maintain contact until the next conference.
  2. Bring a friend: Until Google makes cloning accessible to the masses we just have to accept the fact that it is not possible to be in more than one place at once. Since there are so many great sessions to attend why not bring a friend from your organization to the conference.  That way you are able to divide and conquer and make the most out of both days.
  3. Show up early (with bells): If you are flying solo to the event showing up early will not only ensure you the best seat at the keynote but you may also make a conference buddy while choosing a muffin before the event kicks off.
  4. Tweet: Showing up early is not the only way to make friends.  MyCharityConnects is a great way to get your name/organization known to other attendees.  Share your witty insights, fun pics, and conference highlights using the MyCharityConnects hashtag (#MCC12).
  5. Don't pigeonhole yourself: There are a lot of great sessions covering a vast number of topics but don't feel like you have to stick to just one stream.  Read the conference summaries carefully and pick the ones that you feel you will gain from the most.
  6. bonus tip: as tempting as it might be to put on your Hillary Clinton power suit and network your way through the conference remember to dress comfortably and perhaps consider leaving your pumps at home.  

Registration is still open so if you have not had a chance to sign up make sure you do so before tickets run out: http://guestlistapp.com/events/71481.

]]>Join us for our MyCharityConnects Conference Tweet Chatshttp://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/14/join-us-for-our-mycharityconnects-conference-tweet-chats.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-14T18:25:09Z2012-05-14T18:25:09ZIf you are trying to get to grips with using social media in your organization, have a question about our conference, or want to share your organization's social media successes, please join us for our MyCharityConnects Tweet Chat!

Topics will include:

  • What is your current biggest struggle with social media?
  • What topic are you most excited to hear about at the conference?
  • How do you currently measure social media successes and failures?
  • How did you get buy-in for your organization's social media use?
  • What session are you most excited to attend?

We will be hosting 3 interactive chats on Twitter leading up to the MyCharityConnects 2012. Here's how you can participate: join the conversation by adding the #mcc12 tag to your tweets, no matter what Twitter tool you use. If you don't use Twitter, you can still listen to the conversation by following the #mcc12 hashtag in your web browser. Join in at the times listed below and tell us what you hope to learn at MyCharityConnects!

  • May 15, 1pm ET
  • May 22, 1pm ET
  • May 29, 1pm ET

For an hour, we look forward to some stimulating discussion designed to help you see how to engage and interact more effectively online, learning from the experiences of others who have leveraged social media.

Give us a shout @canadahelps if you are going to participate! We look forward to chatting with you!

]]>Hear how donations nurture the next generation of Canadian musicianshttp://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/11/hear-how-donations-nurture-the-next-generation-of-canadian-m.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-11T12:45:12Z2012-05-11T12:45:12ZHave you always wanted to go behind the scenes and see what your favourite charities do?

CanadaHelps has processed a lot of donation - over $250 million, actually! We often hear from donors who want to know what happens with their donations once they hit submit.

CanadaHelps is on a mission to help you find out! Join us as we visit charities across Canada to find out where your donations went and how they help. In the Where Did It Go? video series, CanadaHelps CEO Owen Charters will be visiting a youth centre, animal shelter, youth orchestra, environmental organization... and more!

This week, Owen visits National Youth Orchestra Canada to find out how they spend your donations. See the important work that they do to nurture Canada's next generation of musicians... and hear the success they are having as Owen takes in a practice session!

Who do you think will be a better musician - Owen or the youth in the orchestra?

]]>Webinar - Preparing for a Website Redesignhttp://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/10/webinar-preparing-for-a-website-redesign.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-10T17:24:15Z2012-05-10T17:24:15ZIs your website from 1995? Do you get frequent comments that your site is old, unattractive, difficult to use, or out of date? Are you frustrated because you don't know how to update your website and you have to call your tech volunteer or contractor every time you want any changes? Do you want a website that is "dynamic"?

If you're answered YES to the questions above - not to worry! You are certainly not alone! Yesterday's webinar with guest speaker Tierney Smith (Community Manager at TechSoup Canada) took attendees through everything you need to know to prepare for a successful website redesign. This is just SOME of the awesome material Tierney covered:

  • Definition of a Content Management System (CMS)
  • How building your website in a CMS will allow you to update it easily in the future (without needing to call your IT person!)
  • The process of designing and developing a website
  • Different planning stages you need to go through and what to expect

Check out the recording below for more goodies!

]]>How Do Your Donations Help Out?http://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/3/how-do-your-donations-help-out.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-03T16:00:00Z2012-05-03T16:00:00ZCanadaHelps has processed a lot of donations - over $250 million, actually! We often hear from donors who want to know what happens with their donations once they hit submit. Have you always wanted to go behind the scenes and see what your favourite charities do?

CanadaHelps is on a mission to help you find out! Join us as we visit charities across Canada to find out where your donations went and how they help. In the Where Did It Go? video series, CanadaHelps CEO Owen Charters will be visiting a youth centre, animal shelter, youth orchestra, environmental organization... and more!

This week, Owen visits the Oakville & Milton Humane Society to find out how they spend your donations. See the important work that they do to help animals stay safe and find forever homes.

SPOILER ALERT: This video contains irresistibly cute kittens. 

]]>Hear from Matt Thompson at MyCharityConnects 2012!http://mycharityconnects.org/blog/2012/5/1/hear-from-matt-thompson-at-mycharityconnects-2012.htmlMyCharityConnects2012-05-01T19:17:18Z2012-05-01T19:17:18ZMatt Thompson is the Chief Storyteller for the Mozilla Foundation, a global nonprofit dedicated to keeping the web open and awesome. Matt is passionate about bringing open source technology and thinking to new areas like education, media and culture.

Matt will be joining us for MyCharityConnects 2012 as a keynote speaker. His talk titled The Open Manifesto: how to work smarter, supercharge collaboration and (maybe) change the world will explore how your organization can get beyond "blah blah blah" and use the web to get more done instead of drowning in the chatter, overload and distraction.

Hear how his new mantra - "think small, do less, work open" - can help your organization gain smarter collaboration, greater focus and agility, and reduced mental clutter and transaction cost.

Register for MyCharityConnects today to hear from Matt and our other awesome speakers!

Check out the full agenda here: www.mycharityconnects.org/2012agenda. Session descriptions are available here: www.mycharityconnects.org/2012sessions.

Questions or comments? Please contact Kara at karag@canadahelps.org or 416-628-6948 x2398.

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