Twitter Time for Non-Profits February 16, 2009
Posted by Greg Troxell in Uncategorized.Tags: 2.0, blackberry, follow, hootsuite, kindlejoy, marketing, non-profit, orgsync, phonevite, twitter, youversion
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Non-Profits will likely find that a strategic use of Twitter is helpful to their mission and objectives.
Principally, marketing has always been about who you know and more importantly, who knows you. The BUZZ inside our organizations and throughout the community we are tying to reach is what ensures the sustainability of our organizational culture, momentum, engagement and financial health. At first thought I winced at using Twitter. The man who told me about it showed me a tweet about ‘taco bell’ that alone almost turned me off like one big splay. Now less than 9 months later I’m sold on the technology and have developed some strategies to get the most out the tool.
Before I begin, let’s go back to a time about fifteen years ago before the web when we relied on print, face to face meetings, and overnight jet flights to meet the people that would be able to help us, support us, & join our cause. Times have changed and they are changing even faster.
3 programs to get your Non-Profit noticed:
- 1. Set up a Twitter account www.twitter.com
- Set up a Hootsuite account www.hootsuite.com (you can manage more than one account in hootsuite, it also allows you to send out future twitter messages, so you can fill your que and leave you desk or schedule a series of messages to go out.)
- Set up a blog (to compliment or replace your static website) www.wordpress.com
7 Steps to ensure your PR objectives are attained:
- Write an article for your blog (copy one from your newsletter if necessary)
- Be sure to fill out your profile with a picture and a 160 word bio telling what your are about.
- Send an invitation to join Twitter to all your supporters. Get the word out with your newsletter, bulletin, e-news blast, and email signatures (paste your twitter profile url as a hyperlink in your signature. It will look like “http://twitter.com/gtroxell).
- Look for “followers” using the Twitter search engine found at the bottom of your main page. What do you type in the search bar? The same words you would use in a google search (or your yellow pages if you’re ‘old school’) if you wanted to find people who might be interested in joining your cause.
- Post a few entries using HOOTSUITE not twitter. Always point people to a website using the built in ’shrink it’ tool. This will be what helps you measure your success and the value of using twitter as part of your marketing approach.
- Regularly ‘Welcome’ new followers (always using HOOTSuite) and point them to ‘a few of your favorite tweets’. These are people who support your mission or perhaps providers of information, services or inspiration. This is a good will act that is rewarded handsomely amongst ‘tweeples’.
- Occasionally look at who is following your followers, and who your target followers are following. the easiest way to make a sensible decision to follow someone is to “mouse over ” their twitter name. This will reveal their 160 word Bio (this is why you need a bio). If you should see someone who looks like they would resonate with your cause then click “FOLLOW” – it’s as easy as that.
If you follow these steps you will quickly grow your number of followers, as will the number of hits to your website and those of your strategic partners. All of this will be measurable using HOOTSuite and thus prove to your boss that you are not out of your mind for being online 16 hours a day with the twitter browser open.
One more thing! Have fun on Twitter. Remember to post the occasional social note, especially if you created a personal profile listing you NP in your bio.
See you in the TWITTERVERSE.
Greg Troxell
Worldwide Interfaith Association
* My favorite tweeples: @youversion, @kindlejoy, @orgsync & @phonevite
** Advanced users who are also Blackberry users, be sure to download the blackberry client for twitter.
Interpersonal Intricacies – “High C” February 15, 2009
Posted by Greg Troxell in Uncategorized.Tags: DiSC, greg troxell, High C, WIA, Worldwide Interfaith Association
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Some people have a knack for providing structure and order. These people have a behavioral trait called “conformity” which offers immense strength to a team. And like all traits there are certain realities that emerge.The realities are adjusted due to the mix of other traits in the individuals profile and the circumstances in their life that are causing internal change and adaptation from they way they really are.
High C’s, speaking generally and isolating this trait, tend to have discomfort with ambiguity, show resistance to vague information, need to double check source information, and they have little need to be with others.
They have an uncanny natural ability to be the glue in an organization or team. They help the team focus on tasks and processes, keep order, maintain in their head, computer or on paper meticulous, precise, and accurate details and notes. They ten to be very time conscious, and they want to be right.
Here are a few suggestions when communicating with a High C:
- Warn them in time and generally avoid surprises
- Be prepared. Don’t ad-lib with them if you can
- Be logical, accurate and use clear data
- Show how things fit into the bigger picture
- Be specific in disagreement and focus on the facts
- Be patient, persistent and diplomatic
There is more to be learned about the intricacies of people, relationships, teams and organizations. If you sense a need to learn more and gain some assistance there are many resources. Worldwide Interfaith Association offers coaching, consulting and training in DISC uniquely mixed with Spiritual Gifts while focusing on service within the Church, it’s leadership and health.
Happy St. Valentine’s Day February 14, 2009
Posted by Greg Troxell in Uncategorized.add a comment
Today, much of the church celebrates the Feast of St. Valentine, patron of lovers, young people, and happy marriages.
St. Valentine was a priest from Rome who lived during the 3rd century. During the reign of Emperor Claudius II, he was caught assisting Christians who were being persecuted. He was commanded to renounce his faith but he remained steadfast and strong in his faith. Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned.
The Emperor took a liking to Valentinus but when the priest tried to convert the Emperor to Christianity, it was ordered that he should be beaten with clubs. His Christian courage and faith made him receive the torture with humility and patience. The Prefect of Rome, finding all tortures ineffectual, ordered the beheading of St. Valentine on February 14, 269. Over a century later, in 494 AD, February 14 was declared his feast day by Pope Gelasius.
It appears that not everyone has learned how to communicate a love and respect for others. It’s hard. We get stuck thinking about ourselves, or the way we want to be loved.
Knowledge of our DISC behavioral style and that of others would help matters. Here’s a few suggestions that are especially helpful for children, spouses, employees and even your church members.
When you want to affirm the high “D”, verbalize how proud you are of their actions and compliment them on their achievements.
A high “I” doesn’t mind what you say so long as you say something nice about them. They respond very well to eye & physical contact, emotion and effusive language.
If you really want to tell a high “S” how much you love and appreciate them, focus on their soul, their being more than their accomplishments.
What about a high “C”? Remind them how much you appreciate their ability to keep everything organized. Tell them, with specifics, how good their work is.
Want to learn more about your gifts and DISC style? Visit the Products & Services page of WIAtoday and send a comment. WIA will be glad to work with you or your entire congregation.
Interpersonal Intricacies – the “High S” February 13, 2009
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But even though these people are naturally… nice, they may have a spiritual gift like “Evangelist” or “Prophet” – Really – it’s possible.
You see the gifts are our supernatural gifts from God, while our behavioral profile could be described as a natural profile.
Want to learn how your D I S C behavioral blend affects the expression of spiritual gifts? Contact us.
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Interpersonal Intricacies – The “High I” February 12, 2009
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So what’s the best way to interact with a person like this? Well that depends on your style but in general I would agree with the inset from www.changingminds.org
Remember that people are complex – including yourself. One letter is not enough to describe anyone. Nor is it likely that any one tool is going to reveal all a persons intricacies. In fact the DiSC profile that I use regularly as I coach people has 256 unique profiles and many more nuances based on trait pairs and the amplitude of each trait.
Anyway, these types of tools help us get along with others. Hope this Coaching moment helps you. More to come tomorrow.
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Interpersonal Intricacies – A Coaching Moment February 12, 2009
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Perhaps I should describe this person a bit more… you might perceive them as being: Independent, persistent, direct, energetic, busy, fearless, goal oriented, and commanding.
Here’s a few tips on how they like to be approached. Who knows you might have better luck working with them or getting the attention you’ve been craving if you can respect their needs.
Of course there are your needs and type to be considered too. Want to learn more? Contact me. post a comment, send an email, or use twitter, Facebook or phone.
If this isn’t your situation, just wait. I’ll be posting more about INTERPERSONAL Intricacies.
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Spiritually Literate New Year’s Resolutions December 31, 2008
Posted by Greg Troxell in Uncategorized.Tags: Frederic Brussat, greg troxell, Mary Ann Brussat, New Year's Resolutions, spirituality and practice
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By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Discovered on: www.spiritualityandpractice.com
1. I will live in the present moment. I will not obsess about the past or worry about the future.
2. I will cultivate the art of making connections. I will pay attention to how my life is intimately related to all life on the planet.
3. I will be thankful for all the blessings in my life. I will spell out my days with a grammar of gratitude.
4. I will practice hospitality in a world where too often strangers are feared, enemies are hated, and the “other” is shunned. I will welcome guests and alien ideas with graciousness.
5. I will seek liberty and justice for all. I will work for a free and a fair world.
6. I will add to the planet’s fund of good will by practicing little acts of kindness, brief words of encouragement, and manifold expressions of courtesy.
7. I will cultivate the skill of deep listening. I will remember that all things in the world want to be heard, as do the many voices inside me.
8. I will practice reverence for life by seeing the sacred in, with, and under all things of the world.
9. I will give up trying to hide, deny, or escape from my imperfections. I will listen to what my shadow side has to say to me.
10. I will be willing to learn from the spiritual teachers all around me, however unlikely or unlike me they may be.
Life Instructions December 3, 2008
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Some years back at a UMC church in Ashburn Virginia we leveraged the wisdom and statistical evidence articulated by the Search Institute to help us strategically conceptualize, fashion and train our teams working with youth and children. The outcomes were tremendous. – The joy in all our hearts was priceless.
What are your rules for life? Really. If you had to make a sign for all the kids on your block, all the adults in your neighborhood… what would it look like?
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