Weblogs Whats Behind the Hype

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Weblogs Whats Behind the Hype?  Analyzing the
Potential of Blogs for Nonprofits and MSOs
Alliance for Nonprofit Management
2004 Washington D.C.
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Presenters

• John Lorance
• CompuMentor
• www.compumentor.org
• Jason Lefkowitz
• Manager, eActivism
• Oceana
• www.oceana.org

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Anatomy of a Weblog
What is a Weblog?

• Link as currency
• Frequently updated
• Reverse chronological order

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Anatomy of a Weblog
Typical elements

• Prominent date
• Post title
• Link
• Text responding to or explaining the link
• Permalink
• Comments

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Anatomy of a Weblog
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Anatomy of a Weblog
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Anatomy of a Weblog
Who writes weblogs?

• Single author
• Multiple authors, organization staff
• Multiple authors, organization staff and
  constituency

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Anatomy of a Weblog
Available Functionality

• Comments allows users to respond to posts
• Trackback allows other weblog authors to
  provide links to their own posts
• Categories allows weblog author to apply a
  taxonomy to their posts
• Blog aggregating services, such as Blogdex

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Anatomy of a Weblog
Tools

• WordPress
• Typepad
• Blogger

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Sample Weblog
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Sample Weblog
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Sample Weblog
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Use of Weblogs
Intermediaries and Nonprofits

• Oceanas story
• Brainstorm in small groups
• How can intermediary use a weblog?
• How can an individual nonprofit use a weblog?

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The Possibilities
Promoting Your Weblog

• Post early, post often
• Use standard tools
• Mention your blog in your other communications
• Make your blog a prominent part of your website

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The Possibilities
What are the possibilities for the nonprofit
sector?
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After the Conference
Continuing the Conversation

• What can you take back to your organization?
• Participate in TechSoups on-line event, August
  16-20

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References

• Andy Carvins Waste of Bandwidth
• http//www.edwebproject.org/andy/blog/
• Blogdex
• http//blogdex.net/
• WordPress
• http//wordpress.org/
• Blogger
• http//www.blogger.com
• The Oceana Network
• http//community.oceana.org/
• OrangePolitics.org
• http//orangepolitics.org/
• TechSoup Weblog page and event
• http//www.techsoup.org/weblogsfornonprofits/