Iran-Kodak-Cause: the Power of Social Media

The recent events in Iran ... freedom fighters using Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, etc. to spread work of the resistence after the Government shut down "legacy media outlets ... has shown the power of Social Media tools to bypass governments, organizations and the media.

Seems as though this is a lesson for those of us in the association world ... as we transition from traditional communications tools to the variety of tools in the Social Media arsenal.

Thanks to a Tweet, I had a chance to watch a presentation of Jeffrey Hayzlett, Kodak's Chief Marketing Officer, at the 140 Characters Conference. http://www.blip.tv/file/2251088/ He talks about why Kodak is rapidly adopting Social Media tools to meet its four core marketing objectives: 1) Engaging; 2) Educating; 3) Exciting; 4) Evangelizing.

Aren't those four "Es" characteristics of many of our organizations? What tools are you using to engage, educate and excite your members? And engage in evangelize to help find new members?

By the way, Hayzlett's presentation itself shows the power of Social Media for associations. Notice I did NOT attend this conference. Yet, I was watching a video of one of the keynote speakers within three days of the conference. And, this video is speeding around the world ... and making people like me think I should attend this conference the next time it is held!

What are you doing to share the content coming from your conferences and educational programs? "Keeping it" for "members only" ... or, sharing this content as a way to building awareness, trust and knowledge of your association, industry, profession?

Meanwhile, cause marketing continues to offer trade associations and professional societies a new strategy to engage members, build positive awareness and generate funds. While Corporate America and charitable non profits continue to aggressively expand their adoption of cause marketing alliances, many trade associations and professional societies seem to standing on the sidelines. I don't understand why. The Cause Marketing Forum asked me to give a Masters Series Telesession on how companies and causes can "tap in" to the association world. Here's the Power Point. http://bit.ly/cukWB I'd like to hear from trade associations and professional societies: what is holding you back?

What are your thoughts on these two issues?

Steve