Social Media Creating Social Change

Chapter 25 of “Share This” explains how nonprofit organizations can benefit from using social media. The two seem like a likely pair since social media is a free form of advertising, and it has great power in bringing like-minded people together. Due to social networking, nonprofit organizations now have the ability to easily connect with millions across the globe and encourage people to join a movement. 

Online crowdsourcing tools have also made these initiatives possible. Kickstarter and JustGiving are two examples from the book that illustrate how easy it is to receive funding from complete strangers across the world. These sites allow users to donate money based off of a short elevator pitch from the organization presenting.

Other causes that have exploded from social media include: ALS, Water is Life and Kony. Before social media existed, these causes were not popular or even recognized. As “Share This” explains, these campaigns were successful because they were compatible and added value through the use of relevant information. 

Check out Water is Life's campaign below. The organization used the first world problems hashtag to bring awareness to their cause. 

Social media is almost the perfect outlet for new networks of people to form and develop groups that can potentially create social change. It allows for easy communication, fast response time, easy distribution of money and access to information. It would almost seem that social media was purposefully created just for nonprofits.

Mac Attack

In case you didn’t already know, the food at Ohio Northern University isn’t very popular. In fact, we were voted number 373 out of 377 schools in Princeton Review’s survey in 2012. When this publication came out, it was really no surprise to anyone on campus.

It would seem that the student body is not being heard. We complain there aren’t enough options and the options we do have aren’t healthy. However, the changes that are being made in Mac, White Bear and Northern on Main aren’t satisfying our needs.

Just in the past four years, a few changes have been made. White Bear now offers Pastabilities, but have fun waiting in line for at least thirty minutes. Northern on Main has added a few menu items, but make sure you bring at least $10 for a meal. Also, there are now options to choose a meal plan. However, all of the plans are still overpriced, and there isn’t an option below $5,200.

Students are noticing the effort to enhance the food service, but we are still unsatisfied. When my class had a discussion with food services, we were told ONU doesn’t have the budget for fresh fruit. I still find this impossible to believe when students are paying around $5,500 a year for food. That is close to what my family of four spends on food! How could we possibly not have enough money for fruit?

My class was also told that the meals offered at Mac were healthy as long as you portioned correctly. I find that extremely difficult to believe considering all of the offerings are processed and packed with calories. It would seem they are in denial of the terrible selections.

Dining service needs to take ownership of the meals they serve, and make changes that will significantly impact our health. We need healthy students, athletes and humans. You simply can’t do well in class or in sports when your menu consists of chicken nuggets, burgers and shakes.

I am challenging food services to really listen to the students instead of fighting against us. By simply working with us, ONU can have a happier and healthier student body. Own up to the mistakes that have been made, and work hard to get the food we want and deserve. 

Fashionable Football

The NFL is starting to pay more attention to the other half of the population, women. Females may not be your typical demographic when you think about football, but they have proved to be a lucrative target market. Because of this, the NFL is changing its marketing strategy for women and embracing the new fans.

Women are the marketer’s dream. They decide what, when and how much to buy for the household, and they are more likely to become brand loyal than men. Women are also responsible for 70 to 80 percent of all consumer spending. So, the NFL has finally started to take advantage of this opportunity by offering women more merchandise.

The NFL created the Fit for You clothing line that specifically targets women. The line was even featured in Vogue and held a showing during Fashion Week at Grand Central Station. Other retailers have also started to include football female fashion items including Victoria’s Secret and Nike.

The NFL isn’t stopping there. The corporation started a party-planning site, so women can learn how to host football parties in their home. The site calls these parties Homegating and helps with ideas for food, decorating, and supplies. Since women are the decision makers for the home, the site perfectly taps into the female market.

There is no doubt that these strategies are working. Female viewership of the Superbowl and NFL games has increased more than men. In fact, there is a 25 percent increase in women watching Sunday Night Football games and only a 10 percent increase by men. According to this, the numbers are all pointing towards a growing female fan base.

Ladies run the purchasing world, and that won’t stop when it comes to football. Next time you go to a football game, appreciate the women who are keeping the NFL alive and well.

No More Arm Jiggle

Over the summer, my goal was to get back to my body from freshman year. This required losing 10 pounds and gaining back a lot of muscle. Through my journey to getting back my previous self, I didn’t realize how much I would fall in love with working out.

I found fun exercise programs, started to enjoy running and began appreciating healthy food. It has been an amazing transformation, even though it is just 10 pounds. Those few pounds stand for an entire lifestyle change, where I am feeling stronger physically and mentally.

I think women set out to complete these unattainable goals for their weight, but in reality one belt loop makes a huge difference. Eating healthy and staying active everyday is all the change you need to be happy and comfortable in your own skin. You can even make simple changes like drinking more water. 

Also, I feel like women are nervous to do anything but cardio. I promise you will not look like a body builder if you lift a weight. Part of the fun is trying new things and getting outside of your comfort zone, so throw around some kettlebells. 

To get you started, here is one of my favorite arm workouts from Tracy Anderson, trainer to the stars. I love to do this about once a week when I can’t find the time to get in a full workout. It is a bit girly, and you may look crazy doing it. However, it’s effective and is only about ten minutes long.

Broadcasting Engagement

Chapter 14 of “Share This: The Social Media Handbook for PR Professionals,” describes the future of broadcasting. Before social media, communications professionals viewed television and radio shows as the best way to share their message. Today, social networking has changed the way consumers digest information and the way journalists provide content.

Broadcasters can now post their videos to YouTube or link videos to virtually any social media site. Unlike traditional broadcasting, users are more engaged with this content. The consumers have the ability to choose what content they want to watch, to comment on the content, and to share the content. This is why social media broadcasting is more powerful than the traditional methods.

One new technology that interested me in the book was LinkTo. This service can be purchased by a brand, and it will automate an ad to pop onto the screen while the viewer is watching the commercial or video. For example, Febreze had coupons appear on the screen, and the audience could click the ad to print off the promotion.

LinkTo is compatible with multiple platforms including: YouTube, Vibrant Media, Brightcove and Coupons. The company also supplies the buyer with an analytics page that can track customer statistics for you. Also, Vodafone, P&G and QVC have used this service in its modern day advertising.

LinkTo’s technology makes the customers become involved in the brand, by interacting with the video they are watching. It also allows the viewer to have immediate gratification. Customers can see the commercial and immediately click on a site that takes them to a coupon. Also, it makes the video memorable. Most people watch a commercial and easily forget the information. However, with interactive videos, the viewer will have a tangible item that will make the brand’s message unforgettable. Most importantly, it makes commercials measurable through the use of customer analytics.

As viewers change their media consumption habits, brands will have to adjust its strategy accordingly. LinkTo effectively caters to today’s consumer through the use of social media and engagement. This type of advertising gives brands several advantages over the traditional broadcasting on TV and radio.