If you’ve come this far, it’s likely that you’ve already sent emails out to your close contacts and asked them to vote for your cause. And if you have an email database, subscribers have probably already seen the message or will soon, right?

Those are both very good and effective tactics - in fact, they’ve been powerful enough to help boost a couple of our leaders into the Top Ten. But what about everyone else that you communicate with via email? Do they know about CommuniCause?

Why not try inserting a link into your email signature? Or even better yet, why not see that it is inserted for your entire team. Think about all of the people that you and your team members email daily. Not all of them are going to be on your mailing list. Whether they are vendors, supporters or just friends, there is a good likelihood that they would be interested in helping you out - and it can’t hurt to ask!

Advertising 101 teaches the importance of repetition. As each email goes out to your contact, they will passively be subjected to your message, and hopefully before long they will be visiting our site to vote. And think about your time commitment - how long will it take to tweak your email signature? It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

If you have any questions on tactics, or if you would like to share what has been successful for you, don’t hesitate to drop us a line.

Arthur Wilbur

Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Twitter: @At1MP

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We’re almost halfway through the nomination and voting phase of CommuniCause and the outpouring of support from the community has been inspiring. When we originally concepted CommuniCause, none of us ever thought we see the response that we did. The number of site visitors, nominations, votes, badges installed and published tweets has been astounding. Thank you.

I’ve always believed that CommuniCause isn’t solely about winning the social media makeover. In my opinion, everyone who participates wins on some level. Whether it be through increased awareness about your organization or the satisfying act of supporting the cause of your choice, there is something in this for everyone. In the spirit of increasing awareness about some really great organizations and people doing amazing charitable work, we’ve decided to publish weekly spotlight interviews.

This week, we’re spotlighting Brian J. Johnston, founder of AMPUCAMP.

Please tell us little bit about your charity as well as yourself and your involvement or role.

AMPUCAMP.org is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia.  The purpose of AMPUCAMP.org is to provide vital support, encouragement, and resources to anyone, at any age, from any background personally affected by or caring for someone with limb loss/deficiency via on-site and web-based seminars and training.

AMPUCAMP.org was “born” out of necessity after my 4-year old son was involved in an “accident” that - still to this day - defies logical explanation and eludes human understanding.  In short, Brennan suffered an amputation after breaking his leg while playing with a soccer ball one day.  The full story ‘My Child My Hero’ is a wonderful “gift of perspective” and can be found at www.Evolve-Now.com/AMPUCAMP.

During the course of Brennan’s care, we were told about various “adaptive” camps for kids.  However, we also discovered due to the nature and length of such events, that kids must be at least 8 years old to participate – so we decided to create our own – regardless of age or background – EVERYONE is invited and encouraged to participate.

I was very excited and thankful to have discovered the CommuniCause opportunity because AMPUCAMP is a brand new organization.  Our very first live event is scheduled to take place in Atlanta in August, 2009, and I thought this would be an amazing way to officially launch AMPUCAMP.org in style!

What experience do you have in Social Media and how have you used it to forward the goals of your organization?

As a speaker, fitness professional and best-selling author, I have a lot of experience communicating with others, primarily through live events.  However, I’m pretty new to the Social Media experience.  Like many, I created a Facebook presence, a Linkedin profile as well as a Twitter account, @BrianJJohnston, which I do my best to update and add value to the Twitterverse.  I also created a Twitter account for AMPUCAMP, @ampucamp, but haven’t really begun using that just yet.

What aspect of Social Media are you most interested in learning more about to benefit your organization?

I’m fascinated by the viral potential and/or ability to get worthwhile messages and information to the masses with the simple click of a button through systems like Twitter.  I’m open to learning about anything that will help further develop, support or enhance the mission of AMPUCAMP.org

What tactics have you used to promote your organization for CommuniCause, and which have you found to be most effective? Do you have any additional plans that you are willing to share?

Being a Social Media newbie, my primary focus has been through traditional e-mail channels.  Since the official AMPUCAMP.org website is currently in the R&D phase, I simply updated my existing website by adding the various tools provided by CommuniCause, such as the yellow voting badge link / see www.Evolve-Now.com/AMPUCAMP

I have also crafted e-mails for several people to send to their respective lists.  I did it sequentially as a way to track voting spikes and to see our CommuniCause ranking status improve along the way!  So far, so good, as we’ve managed to make our way from #76 to #43, then to #19 (in 24 hours), and ultimately into the Top 10.  For the remainder of the contest, I’ll be honing my Social Media skills, developing the official AMPUCAMP.org website, and continuing to develop additional ways to spread the AMPUCAMP.org message far and wide via the gift of CommuniCause!  Many thanks for providing such a wonderful opportunity!

What advice could you share that you think would benefit other similar organizations regarding tactics to promote your organization for CommuniCause, both on and offline?

I think a lot of people haven’t really taken the time to learn there are definite “rules” and/or etiquette that should be followed, and there are mistakes that, when made via the Socialsphere, can completely destroy any chance of online success – whether it’s trying to make a sale or trying to make a difference!

Is anyone else annoyed by gimmicky, slick-lipped, dog-n-pony, empty verbage or tactics besides me?  The common theme I find for conducting business, improving relationships, and enjoying success is that “people do business with those they know, like and trust”.  And the best way to improve all of that is to forego a “Me, Myself and I” mentality, and be willing to add value to someone or something else. 

What has been the most valuable take-away from your involvement with CommuniCause so far?

It has been incredibly humbling to get the type of responses – through the number of votes, and the testimonials we’ve received about the story/video, and how it’s impacted the lives of so many people already!  Having the contest has also been a great impetus to really get AMPUCAMP.org moving in the right direction, in terms of interest (and hopefully a $25,000 technology boost from a highly-reputable organization!).

What do you feel is the most exciting part about CommuniCause?

At the very beginning of the contest, I initially wondered if/how a fledgling organization that wasn’t even “on the map” yet would do amidst all the other organizations – many of them already household names!?!  After an initial conversation with Arthur at the corporate office, I thought “Why not – I’ve got nothing to lose, and an incredible opportunity to win?”

At the very least, it has allowed me to breathe some amazing life into an opportunity in which my son really wants to help create and participate”  where he’s anxious to help others “just like me” get back to being kids – running, jumping, smiling, and smiling, laughing again!

Brian can be reached at 404.451.4170.

If you’re interesting in telling your story to CommuniCause and the world, please send me an email or hit me up on Twitter. I’d love to hear from you.

Email: jeremy.communicause@mindcomet.com
Twitter:  @jeremyhilton

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