Friday, February 13, 2009

Tweeters mobilized

A lot of people have talked about whether social media creates real communities. It all depends on your definition of community. We digital immigrants tend to understand community as physical interaction with those who share our values and beliefs. That’s our common bond. But can that definition be applied to an online ‘community.”

Last night thousands of Twitter users physically gathered in more than 175 Twestival communities around the world to raise money for charity:water, a development organization that provides communities with fresh water. The entire operation, the idea of a Canadian woman, was handled by volunteers, organized on line and executed locally.

There are so many layers as to why this worked. Not only was it a unique approach, but it identified a unifying cause, motivated the mostly younger demographic on Twitter, provided a tangible, defined project they could support in a short time period (one night).

What are some lessons the church can learn from this?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is an experiment currently being tried by Facebook LFL Cause. The board of directors don't think advertising on FB is effective. The Director of Operations has asked those of us cause members to donate money, or to just send him an e-mail to let the board know the potential. The results will be presented at the March BoD meeting. I hope they, and the church in general, "gets it." -Kathy

Ian Adnams said...

At least you know people in your 'cause group' are on your side. So asking for a donation makes sense.

I would challenge LFL to advertise its support materials, if Facebook would allow it. Or maybe take a www.whatyoubelieve.ca approach that presents its case in a non-threatening way.

Anonymous said...

I will present that idea to them. I know some pro-life groups/causes have been having trouble on Facebook, but certainly the whatyoubelieve.ca approach should succeed. Thanks.