Fundraising Tip: Get listed at www.goodsearch.com
This is so cool! Nonprofits and schools can get listed at www.goodsearch.com (for free) and ask supporters to use goodsearch as their search engine (instead of using google, MSN or Yahoo, for example). So when your supporters go to the site and enter their favorite organization (hopefully yours!), as they surf and search, each time they click on a sponsored ad, the nonprofit or school makes about a penny (paid by advertisers). Payouts are made once a year.
The goodsearch site has lots of ideas to help you promote the site.
For details, see http://www.goodsearch.com/About.aspx.
Everyone wins!
How to get started with blogging, choosing a service
Are you thinking about starting a blog? Don’t know where to start?! Let’s see if I can get you going in the right direction.
Popular blogging services and software include Blogger (free, from google), Typepad (monthly fee) and WordPress (free). There are many more, but I’m going to limit my discussion to these three to make it simple.
I like Internet products and services to be quick, easy and the best fit for my needs, budget and technical expertise. So I chose WordPress. It was the best choice for me because it has all the flexibility and functionality I need, for free. However, setting up and customizing WordPress takes technical skills, including knowing HTML, php, FTP, graphic design, and so forth.
Use WordPress only if you have (or have access to) the technical expertise for setup and customization.
Tip: Many Web hosting services make it easy to install WordPress using software called Fantastico.
This is where a lot of people start because it’s free and really easy to work in. The trend has been that “serious bloggers” eventually move on to more robust services, especially services that allow for creating categories (labels).
However, that trend may change. Blogger has just released a big upgrade with more features, including labels.
I might give it a spin!
If you want an easy-to-use service with very nice templates and good functionality, consider Typepad. You can choose from three plans. You can also start with a free 30-day trial to see what you think. If you don’t have technical skills, you’ll probably need help with customizing the look, but it’s not nearly as daunting as working with WordPress.
A new year, a new direction
With the new year I begin this blog. Everyone in business (it is said) needs to have a blog! As a business and marketing communications consultant, one would think I’ve had a blog for many moons. But truth be told, I didn’t need a blog. I had all the work I wanted.
Does this mean I need work now? Yes, but a different kind. I have been developing Web sites and content primarily for people in the helping professions. Now I’m turning my attention to copywriting, Web presence consulting, and producing podcasts and other audio products.
Here’s to a prosperous 2007 for all!