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Newsletter #734: The “Special BlogWell Edition: Social Media for Social Good” Issue

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The power of social media is phenomenal — and with it, there are opportunities to do some truly great things for the world. Here are a few examples inspired by BlogWell New York:

   1> Video 1: Connect an existing community
   2> Video 2: Reach those that can make a difference
   3> Video 3: Promote transparency
   4> Check it out: Daily Challenge

1> Video 1: Connect an existing community

Somewhere there's an existing group of people — bonded by a common mission — that need help connecting to one another. When Tyson Foods began using social media to support the company's goal of ending hunger, they found an existing community already focused on the issue. But because they weren't connected online, Tyson created a special website and is using tools like Twitter to connect these groups and help share their stories.

The Lesson: You don't have to create the cause — there are groups already out there that need your help and social media expertise to connect with one another.

BlogWell New York Social Media Case Study: Tyson Foods, presented by Ed Nicholson from GasPedal on Vimeo.

See more case studies like this live at BlogWell on June 23 in San Francisco.

2> Video 2: Reach those that can make a difference

Social media has the power to allow for conversations and ideas where they didn't exist before. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — a philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care — uses social media to connect with legislators, media outlets, and other folks that can make a difference in a way that they hadn't been able to before. Using tools like Twitter, YouTube, and blogs, they're able to share more information more quickly with their key fans and influencers. They've hosted competitions, asked for ideas, and started conversations with a whole new group of people who care about their cause.

The Lesson: You don't need a big budget to spread your message. You just need a friendly personality and a willingness to connect with those that care.

BlogWell New York Social Media Case Study: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, presented by Larry Blumenthal from GasPedal on Vimeo.

See more case studies like this live at BlogWell on June 23 in San Francisco.

3> Video 3: Promote transparency

Social media is a business based fundamentally on trust. Any marketer can write great copy and pay for it to be out there, but great marketing combined with the love and trust of fans gets forwarded. In my BlogWell presentation on social media disclosure and ethics, I talk about the three rules of engagement: 1) Who are you, who do you work for? 2) Are you being compensated (gifts, money, free samples, etc.)? 3) Is this your real opinion, based on your actual experience with the product? We have a chance now, as smart, ethical marketers, to stop stealth marketing, educate our peers, and promote transparency.

The Lesson: Disclosure is easy, legally required, and it doesn't deflect your marketing — it enhances it by building trust.

GasPedal CEO Andy Sernovitz from GasPedal on Vimeo.

See more case studies like this live at BlogWell on June 23 in San Francisco.

4> Check it out: Daily Challenge

Daily Challenge is the social network for "Do Gooders." Daily, people from all over submit small acts — or challenges — ranging anywhere from conserving water to reminding loved ones how important they are. You can join, submit a challenge, or "take action" by voting for someone else's and, ideally, fulfilling that challenge in real life.

Daily Challenge

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