Recently, I have become extremely interested and involved in the world of non-profit organizations.  I never knew the procedures and hard work that goes into them.  That is until my intership for the summer.  In my previous post I talked about my internship with the Virginia Stage Company.  Prior to my last post, they had not embarked on the exicting world of social media.  Now all that is changing!

Here at VSC we have created a social media team.  This group of people meets to discuss new ways to bring VSC up-to-date and involved with social media.  The group is moving in a great direction.   After learning about their meeting, I was curious to find out if other non-profits were having the same ideas.

Turns out they are.  In fact non-profit organizations are beginning to use social media more than business or personal users.  They are finding ways to cominucate and hold conversations with donors.  This new personal approach to communication not only keeps everyone connected, but also has a large appeal for donors.  Instead of receiving a phone call or a letter asking for donations, the company can create real relationships.

Another great reason that social media is growing are its marketing expenses.  Many non-profits are hurting in the economy and social media has now become a marketing department’s dream.  It is cheap and easy to maintain.  As more people jump on the social media train, companies will continue to reach more and more people.

One of the newest non-profits to hit the social media scene is South Coast Hospital Groups.  They have established themselves on Twitter.  They rely on Twitter for health updates and information.  This is a great way to reach many Americans that do not always stay up-to-date on the latest health advice.  The working mother doesn’t always have time to read health articles and tips until they are sitting in the doctor’s office with their child.  South Coast Hospital Groups is helping to make like a little easier for everyone.

This article written by Jay Pateakas, a Herald News reporter, discusses the positive capabilities for non-profits and social media further in the article, “Study: Nonprofits flocking to social media“.  

As I said earlier I find non-profits intriguing.  If you know of any non-profits breaking into the social media scene, I would love to here about them.