5 Pitfalls of Social Media

5 Pitfalls of Social Media

1. Thinking you are in controlsocial media is about the conversation with your supporters and dissenters. If you just delete all the negative comments your community will just take their conversation elsewhere…where you have no control at all. Create a standard of how far you will people go and share that with your community.

2. Not making enough time to maintain your communities –this new world of web 2.0 is free but it is an investment of time. Make sure you have the time allotted to maintain your communities and respond to your followers. Most organizations are dedicating 10 – 15 hours a week to social media and some are creating a specific position to manage this work. This could be done by engaging students at a local college and monitoring their work.pitfall - 5 Pitfalls of Social Media

3. Feeling overwhelmed by this brave, new world – make sure you are using the right tool for your community. Talk to board members, donors and customers about how they are already using social media and create a space for you organization on that platform. This is a strategy of joining in, not reinventing the wheel.

4. Not getting involved – social media is here to stay. Social media is mostly a free communications function that you get to determine how you play. Granted some platforms may come and go but this way of connecting the world is part of a whole generation’s way of life. Take it slow and be strategic.

5. Try to be corporate or cool – be honest in your approach to social media, but in a casual way. Do not try to be an authoritarian and do not try to be the coolest kid on the block. Be honest and available to you community and they will make you popular.

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Kate Runy

CONTENT & MEDIA SPECIALIST

A passionate technical wizard, Kate thrives on managing online content, social media for communications, and development projects.  Kate is the workhorse of the team, pulling out amazing feats of content creation and management week in and week out. 

Prior to joining BC/DC Ideas, Kate coordinated website and social media content, communications, and advertising for Go Global NC and Alzheimer’s NC.

Things that make her happy: I love animals about as much as I love working for nonprofits.

Mishel Gomez Cespedes

CONTENT COORDINATOR

Mishel brings a passion for video storytelling and quippy social media content to the team.  At BC/DC Ideas, she is most likely editing video or scheduling the next moving social media post for our clients.

Her ear for storytelling is her greatest asset. Mishel has a unique ability to assemble content into a concise story that moves audiences to action.

A graduate of Wake Forest University she spent a semester in Spain and years serving her community through the campus organizations. Now, she is putting her passion for good to work.

Brian Crawford

creative director

Mix equal parts nerd and creativity and that’s Brian. A natural problem-solver, Brian’s ability to cut to the core of any problem helps guide our creative team to the correct solution without wasted time or money. It’s the core, this little nugget of truth, that helps our clients take the next step with their audiences.

Brian gets the greatest joy out of helping our clients realize and connect with their story. He is a true believer that everyone and every organization has a compelling story to tell, you just have to listen with an open heart.

Things that make him happy: Hanging out at the park with family, toddler-speak, hitting the focus pull, and good coffee.

Dawn Crawford

principal

The engine behind BC/DC Ideas, Dawn has dedicated her career to good. Dawn brings her considerable experience and expertise to helping elevate the nonprofit sector. Our team’s lead strategist, Dawn is often seen leading our IdeaStorms, penning communications plans, or checking in with clients.

Before launching BC/DC Ideas in 2010, she earned her chops in 10+ years of communications leadership roles for public health, healthcare and youth-focused nonprofits. Working for nonprofits is Dawn’s dream job, and she loves that her 40+ hours a week make the world a better place.

Things that make her happy: A glass of champagne to celebrate big wins, Basecamp, living in the South, seeing the world, and a well-formatted spreadsheet.