Enhancing your Web Presence
What's In A Name? Choosing Your URL
The right URL will drive traffic to your site and define you to the world. That is why Stanford University's Center for the Study of Poverty and Inequality,
chose inequality.com. If your center
has a large and difficult name, consider a shorter URL; fidcap.org, for example, is
easier on the hands than Elfenworks Center for the Study of Fiduciary Capitalism. And at $15 per year, why not grab a URL
for a specific event, as MoveOn did when they obtained HurricaneHousing.org to allow local residents to offer housing
to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
At the Very Least - Strive for No HTML Errors
Is your website effectively conveying your message? Is it free from programming errors and quick to load for a wide variety of visitors? 
The brilliant PBS series 'RX for Survival' has a sophisticated website associated with it, which includes ecards which allow viewers to spread the campaign message [view page]. These e-cards are themed, and visitors can choose
whether to inform their friends about the series, to let them know that they've gotten involved, or inviting friends to a viewing event or international festival.
Buzz PR
You know the saying, "what's the buzz all about?" With the growth of social and consumer-generated media (including blogs and zines),
businesses are rightfully interested in tapping into the "new media" with word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM). In order to do this,
you need a solid, stealth-like plan, a unique story. One way to 'work the circuit' would be to join forces with business partners and
create a joint campaign that can benefit both organizations. Create a way-out, wacky story or write about a real-life, heart-warming
scenario that people can really relate to and believe in - no marketing push needed. Buzz marketing is driving new strategic thinking
and tactics within the public relations and advertising industries. Don't be afraid to try something new! A blog? A podcast? A hunger map?
A ficlet? Use these links to explore what other web-savvy
nonprofits are doing to get their message across:
- 59 Smartest Nonprofit Organizations Online
- Philanthropic Enterprise's Hitchhiker's Guide to Philanthropy Blogs
- Best of the Web - Philanthropy
- Chronicle of Foundations' Blogs
- Gift Hub - Blog
- ONE Campaign to make Poverty History - Blog
- NYC - Compelling Hunger Map by Zipcode
- CARE Poverty Campaign - Powerful Use of Video Clips
Do you have a communication tip to share with others in the philanthropic community? Please use our contact page to share it with us.
