Putney author Bob Lawson has released a new eBook to help nonprofit organizations build their reputations over social media. The eBook is a guide to using LinkedIn and Twitter to grow the reputation of a nonprofit organization in the eyes of peers, foundations and government offices.
The book is titled Enhancing the Reputation of your Nonprofit with Social Media: How to Make both You and Your Organization an Authority in Your Field. The author, Bob Lawson, is founder of Sustainable Digital Communication (www.sustainabledigital.com), a consultancy offering communication and technology services to nonprofit organizations and international NGOs.
“Nothing can replace good work, but it is possible to speed up a process that previously took 10-15 years,” said Lawson. “Through the wise use of social media, you can put your good work on public display and become known and respected in your field in only a few years.”
This can be done on social media, but not through Facebook and Pinterest, said Lawson. “To reach your peers professionally, you must be on the social channels that are used professionally by your peers, particularly LinkedIn and Twitter.”
Most people think of LinkedIn just for job hunting, but there’s more you can do with that network you’ve been growing than look for a new employer, the book points out.
The book outlines the steps you should take to start enhancing your reputation:
Prepare yourself:
- Update your LinkedIn profile and be sure it is built out with recommendations, publications, professional memberships and more
- Expand the size of your network by connecting with everyone you interact with in the course of your work
- Ensure your organization has a “company” page that is complete and informative
Make yourself visible:
- Post information about your organization on LinkedIn
- Post other material, from article links to recent research findings
- Share and Like other people’s posts
- Write your own articles and publish them on LinkedIn
- Join groups on LinkedIn. They serve as discussion lists. Post information there.
The book is available as a free download from the Sustainable Digital Communication website at: http://communication.sustainabledigital.com/free-social-media-ebook-nonprofits.