In This Edition:

• A Few Good Online Survey Tools
  
  
• 5 Ways To Make Online Stories Compelling
  
  
• Doing Outreach With Online Video
  
  

Editor's Note:

Most nonprofits have been tightening budgets across the board. While some sector conferences have experienced double-digit declines in attendance, others have sold out with people scrambling on the wait list.

We want to hear from you. What makes a conference hot or not? Are your conference choices made by budget constraints or are some conference topics no longer appealing?

Please take a minute to fill out this survey - and, as always, thank you for your participation. 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=enn8ZQ_2bnOQbR2HKl3G_2f1Ig_3d_3d

A Few Good Online Survey Tools

Ever wonder how well your annual dinner event was received? Looking to evaluate a new program? Need to collect data for a big research project? Surveys can be a huge help in understanding what your constituents think and how successful your programs are. 



Good tools can be a big part of that. Online survey tools can be a very cost-effective way for delivering surveys, collecting results, and then analyzing the results all through one central system. While they’re not going to be the right fit for every research need (for instance, a paper survey is likely to get a much higher response rate at an in-person event, and provide more accurate data among populations that are not as comfortable with computers), online surveys are great for gathering informal data quickly and easily.

There are a number of these tools available, but how do they compare? Idealware spoke to three nonprofit staff members with extensive survey experience, consulted postings on a number of nonprofit list serves, and scoured reports for this article.

 To read the complete article click here...

5 Ways To Make Online Stories Compelling

Your organization's online stories will not make it to Oprah's book club, but they can still have real impact with readers, according to Roger Burks, senior writer at Portland, Ore.-based Mercy Corps.

Burks explained that there are five specific elements for making your online story resonate with readers at NTEN's 2009 Nonprofit Technology Conference.

Keep these in mind with your stories:

• Compelling title. If you write emails, you understand the need for an eye-catching title that will entice readers. 
• Intriguing lead or hook. Your readers won't start from bottom and work their way up. Put your most interesting information in the beginning so readers want to know more.
• Good story-specific photos. Clip-art is no longer acceptable. Readers will be more engaged if they could see the person you are talking about.
• Character-driven details. No two people are alike. Describe why your character is different from anyone else. The details will make the story come alive.
• Ways to take action. Your readers are motivated -- but now what? Include calls-to-action on the page that relates to the story. For example, if your story is about how upcoming legislation will change this person's life, include an email for U.S. senators or an online petition.

Doing Outreach With Online Video

• Research your audience. Decide what audience the video needs to speak to, whether it’s donors, activists, a certain community or the general public. A video’s theme and message will be different depending on whom you intend on reaching.
  
• Define your message. Think about what language you need to use – will the video be informational or emotional, or try to do both? Craft what kind of message you will prepare for the media with releases. Make sure your call to action fits in with the message. For example, don’t make your message about blocking legislation and then ask for a $10 donation.
  
• Prepare outreach. This outreach planning will not happen by magic or crossing your fingers. To make a strategic campaign, outline how much staff time should be dedicated and who is responsible for outreach. Develop creative material that will continue the brand message cohesively.
  

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