What type of social media for social change user are you?
Sometimes in conversations about social media and social change, I don’t always think we are talking about the same thing. Certainly, we agree that the goal is to use social media to drive action yet what we don’t always acknowledge is that there is a spectrum of engagement when it comes to social media and social change. In other words, how we individually use social media for social change varies as people have different needs when it comes to taking action.
I’ve noticed four types of social media for social change users. Which applies to you?
The Network Weaver
Often heard saying: “Let me introduce you to…” “You and ___ should totally connect.”
Example: Steve Jennings, Founder, Zyozy: Humanity Empowerment Project
Human capital is one of the most important resources we have in social change work. The Network Weaver often has a wide range of friends and is excellent at spotting promising relationships and making introductions.
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The Resource Maven
Often heard saying: “Have you heard of this….?” “You should look into….”
Example: Rosetta Thurman, Principal, Rosetta Thurman Consulting
Ever have those moments where you need an article, website, or organization to help you complete something you are working on, yet cant seem to find it? Enter the Resource Maven who can point you in the right direction to get you what you need.
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The Technology Powerhouse
Often heard saying: “I wonder how [insert social media tool] can help organizations reach more people?” “Who is using [this particular tool] and is sharing their experiences?”
Example: Beth Kanter, Beth’s Blog
This person is not only on top of technology trends but she also knows how and why such technology might be useful for folks doing social change work. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the many new tools popping up every day–yet the technology powerhouse seems to effortlessly filter what is useful and what is noise.
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The Mobilizer
Often heard saying: “Take action–contact these people now.” “We have to do something about this today.”
Example: Gina McCauley, What About Our Daughters
The Mobilizer often has a close relationship with supporters, deep insight into their cause, and utilizes a combination of the aforementioned social media-social change personalities in a way that makes it compelling and easy for folks to take action. The ability to connect people who are passionate about a cause and move them to take action is often what we envision when it comes to using social media for social change.
How else have you seen people using social media for social change?
I’m some combination of the Network Weaver and the Resource Maven. As I think both are equally important.
Also, while I love Beth, I would throw out other folks like John Haydon (johnhaydon.com) in the technology world. I often use them as opposite ends of a really great spectrum. Beth is really great at going deep and the big ideas of tech / social media / how it impacts change. John, on the other side, is fantastic about giving folks really practical tips about how to use those tools. He really excels when he spends the five minutes highlighting a feature and how an NP can put it into action.
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ajlovesya Reply:
October 15th, 2010 at 12:09 am
Thanks for recommendation, Sue! I havent read John’s work but I certainly will now.
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Thanks so much Allison! I’m laughing because I never think of myself as solely a techie – I agree with Sue – that a combination of all these traits and behaviors is important for social change – and sometimes they reside in one person!
John Haydon is a much more fluent techie than me!
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ajlovesya Reply:
October 15th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Ha! Well I definitely look to your blog for insights and resources and the Networked Nonprofit has been really helpful. So you’re not too bad, Beth
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I’m listening to the audio of Tipping Point (again). There are some correlations here, I think…..
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ajlovesya Reply:
October 15th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Interesting, Lorry…how so?
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Alison, thanks for featuring me in this post. Your blog posts, Tweets, and Facebook posts are a constant source of inspiration to many people. Warmest regards, Steve
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ajlovesya Reply:
October 15th, 2010 at 12:11 am
Thanks, Steve
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I’m definitely a The Resource Maven and The Technology Powerhouse. Social media has now become my passion and integrating it with my love for new information, knowledge plus being a blog junkie makes me a wannabe-reference of some sort for application of technology to social change initiatives.
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ajlovesya Reply:
October 15th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Thanks for sharing Caleb! Your usage demonstrates how different ways of using social media allow different people to participate.
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