Social Media is Not an ATM For Nonprofits

Came across this article today by Ken Okel, who does a lot of work with nonprofits. I'll give you the first paragraph and then link directly.

If you think your organization is going to make a wheel barrel of cash from social media, then you're very wrong. Social marketing is a tool that can help raise the profile of your nonprofit but you'll be disappointed if you think it's an instant cash machine. Let's go through some of the myths associated with online fundraising (continue...)

He nails some of the key myths about using social media as a nonprofit fundraising tool.

This is NOT to say that social media can't be a tool for fundraising. However, fundraising is about developing relationships with organizations and individuals who can identify with and be persuaded to support your cause(s). Key point: it's about relationships. Social media is a tool (and a powerful one if used effectively), it is not a panacea. If your organization is struggling with fundraising, social media will not solve the problem. You need to learn how to fundraise.

It can be a teacher, though. I'll do another post on that.