Making the Right Connections: Using Facebook for

Increased Service-Learning and Civic Engagement

Megan M. EngleSocial Media Manager

Michigan Nonprofit Association mengle@mnaonline.org

www.MNAonline.orghttp://MNAonline.wordpress.com

Twitter: @MNAOnline

About Me:

http://www.slideshare.net/MNAOnline

Where This Presentation is Located:

What Is Social Media?

• Definition: “the use of electronic and Internet tools for the

purpose of sharing and discussing information and experiences

with other human beings.” - Ben Parr

http://www.benparr.com/2008/08/its-time-we-defined-social-media-no-more-arguing-heres-the-definition

• In other words, social media describes the tools people use and the ways people share ideas online.

SERVE STRENGTHEN

TRANSFORM COMMUNITIEShttp://www.commoncraft.com

A Great Resource for Basic Videos:

Examples of Social Media:

• Social Bookmarking

• Photo Sharing

• Podcasting and Video

• Blogging

• Feed Reading & Sharing

• Social Networking

What is Social Networking?

• People using the internet to connect with others online

• Individuals often connect with friends, family, colleagues, and other internet users with similar interests and hobbies

• Today, we’ll be looking at the largest social networking site: Facebook

• Other sites are MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.

Facebook• Facebook is a social networking site

that currently boasts approximately 110 million active users

• The site is available to all persons with email addresses

• Today, we’ll be looking at several aspects of Facebook, including profiles, settings, groups, fan pages, and causes

http://www.facebook.com

The History of Facebook• Feb. 2004: FB was launched initally for Harvard students,

then moving to other Ivy League schools• Dec. 2004: FB reaches 1 million active users (I joined in

October 2004)• May 2005: FB available for over 800 college networks• Sept. 2005: FB available for high school networks • Oct. 2005: Photos added as an application• Dec. 2005: FB reaches 5.5 million active users• May 2006: FB available for work networks • Sept. 2006: FB available to anyone with an email address• Dec. 2006: FB reaches over 12 million active users • Oct. 2007: FB reaches over 50 million active users• Now: FB is now ahead of MySpace

Interesting Facebook Facts• People around the world spend a

combined total of more than 3 billion minutes on Facebook each day

• More than 24 million pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) shared each month

• More than 2 million events created each month

Facebook User Demographics

• More than half of Facebook users are outside of college

• Fastest growing Facebook demographic? Those 30+ years old

• The average Facebook user has 120 Facebook friends

Navigating Facebook• Profiles – for individuals; require an

email • Networks – geographical,

educational, professional• Search tools • Privacy settings • Account settings • http://www.facebook.com

Navigating Facebook Applications • General tips

• Groups • Pages• Causes • Events • http://www.facebook.com

Facebook Examples

• Learn and Serve America FB Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Washington-DC/Learn-and-Serve-America/33762736412?sid=63466b276407fe08cd53a32571e52b6e&ref=s

• Michigan Americorps Signature Service Project FB Group: http://www.facebook.com/s.php?sid=78a5f9019b6fdf53d2d9b1c0ca97c55f&init=q&sf=t&n=-1&q=michigan%20service&o=4&hash=ef2e2c53e93e56488d61f32e6704b6af&k=200000010#/group.php?sid=78a5f9019b6fdf53d2d9b1c0ca97c55f&gid=2382344716

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nonprofit-Organizations/27795452714

Facebook Nonprofit Organizations Fan Page

Facebook Best Practices

http://www.diosacommunications.com/facebookbestpractices.htm

Web 2.0 Best Practices Monthly Newsletter

http://www.diosacommunications.com/nonprofit.htm

What People Do On The Internet (By Age)

http://images.businessweek.com/mz/07/24/0724_6insiid_a.gif

http://www.slideshare.net/MNAOnline

Where This Presentation is Located: