Post by Colby Miller on Oct 2, 2014 21:48:04 GMT -5
This week we watched a very interesting Google Hangout with Paul Young, a representative of the Charity Water. Founded in 2006, Charity Water has already helped provide two and a half million people with potable water throughout the world. While they seem to have a strong Twitter presence with over a million followers and a strong Facebook presence with over three hundred thousand likes; what stuck out most to me in doing research was the strong success they've had in harnessing the power of Youtube.
In 2013 they were able to generate $450,000 in one campaign through the video sharing giant. A Youtube user that goes by the name Pewdiepie was celebrating the accomplishment of attaining ten million Youtube followers. He wanted to do a little good with his newfound celebrity status. So he decided to give one dollar to Charity Water for every five hundred views his "thanks" video got. His goal was only $250,000 but he nearly doubled that number. Pewdiepie now has nearly thirty million Youtube followers and is a barometer for the way celebrities will influence people in the 21st century. It's no longer just movie and rock stars that can champion charities. It was a really cool and innovative way Charity Water was able to actually monetize a social media following. With most of the organizations we've encountered and researched, they've had a strong social media presence with flashy displays and pretty pictures, but I don't think they've always succeeded as well as they could have in actually galvanizing this following to give and help the cause. Don't get me wrong, I think its important to have the flashy displays and pretty pictures, but Charity Water has that but have found a way to actually get donations from it.
Another aspect of their Youtube presence that impressed me was the number and quality of videos. The videos were well viewed and most certainly professionally crafted. Its important for an organization to document the work they do and present it to prospective givers because we need that tangible evidence that will move us to action. Just hearing about a charity's good deed isn't enough. Do see they despair some of these families without clean water are going through is heartbreaking and a call to action.
my.charitywater.org/pewdiepie
In 2013 they were able to generate $450,000 in one campaign through the video sharing giant. A Youtube user that goes by the name Pewdiepie was celebrating the accomplishment of attaining ten million Youtube followers. He wanted to do a little good with his newfound celebrity status. So he decided to give one dollar to Charity Water for every five hundred views his "thanks" video got. His goal was only $250,000 but he nearly doubled that number. Pewdiepie now has nearly thirty million Youtube followers and is a barometer for the way celebrities will influence people in the 21st century. It's no longer just movie and rock stars that can champion charities. It was a really cool and innovative way Charity Water was able to actually monetize a social media following. With most of the organizations we've encountered and researched, they've had a strong social media presence with flashy displays and pretty pictures, but I don't think they've always succeeded as well as they could have in actually galvanizing this following to give and help the cause. Don't get me wrong, I think its important to have the flashy displays and pretty pictures, but Charity Water has that but have found a way to actually get donations from it.
Another aspect of their Youtube presence that impressed me was the number and quality of videos. The videos were well viewed and most certainly professionally crafted. Its important for an organization to document the work they do and present it to prospective givers because we need that tangible evidence that will move us to action. Just hearing about a charity's good deed isn't enough. Do see they despair some of these families without clean water are going through is heartbreaking and a call to action.
my.charitywater.org/pewdiepie
