by guest Blogger Hanna Watson

Social media is being used for just about everything these days from keeping in touch with friends to promoting a business. While it works well for these uses, it can also be a great tool for doing good and making a change in the world as well. Perhaps the biggest and most successful example of this is the use of social media in the Obama campaign and in the recent health care debate. It worked for them and it can work for you too. Here are some reasons why you should consider it, if you’re not already utilizing social media tools for your charity, group or organization.

• You can spread information rapidly. Social media is a great way to get the word out about what you’re doing and what you support. Information on blogs, Facebook and Twitter is copied, pasted and spread around quickly, making it easier to inform.

• Let people know about real events. Using social media, you can easily let people know about real events in the community that your organization is taking part in. They can add it to their personal calendars and get updates and reminders about it as well.

• You can find new supporters. Every time someone links to your profiles, articles or videos through social media your organization gains a potential new supporter. Many people may not be familiar with your organization or what you support and the whole social aspect of social media can be a great way to spread the word.

• It’s easy to post a variety of media. Some people will be especially moved by photographs while others will require the action of a video to be engaged. Social media makes it easy to employ all of these different kinds of media in one place.

• You can support other charities as they support you. Social sites are called such because they support online communities, and as part of that community you can help lend a hand to other groups by supporting them through your site as well. When you help them, they can help you back and you both will get the support you need.

• It’s easy to get feedback. With social media it’s easy to get feedback from your supporters (or opponents) on what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong. It can make a big difference in the success of your future endeavors.

This post was contributed by Hannah Watson, who writes about the distance learning colleges.

She welcomes your feedback E-mail: HannahWatson84 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Post from: Social Media Vision

How Social Media Can be a Valuable Tool in Promoting Your Cause