Are your blogs receiving comments?

As mentioned earlier, this past week I was speaking at the Canadian Society of Association Executives' Annual convention. During this time and as a result of the comments I received as well from last week's webinar on social media for non-profits, I thought it pertinent to address a recurring question. Namely, "why isn't my blog receiving any comments"?

To answer that question, my response would be the following:

1. How inviting and relevant is the need for commenting? From the beginning, your metrics may need to consider whether or not people are actually visiting and reading your website. Reading through the website of the Social Networking and Media Association (SNAMA), I found an interesting stat that showed very clearly that on average, most social media participants are "lurkers". In other words, they're often more interested in consuming information on blogs than in actively participating. So...don't be so hard are yourself! In my view, the number of unique visitors and other metrics you can receive from Google Analytics is more valuable.

2. Is your content boring?? More often than not, visitors may come to your blog and think "hmm...so what?" In my view, if your constant objective is to elicit comments, you're going to need to become a thought leader and be provocative. For associations, this lesson is all the more pertinent - whether seeking comments or not. As the experts in their respective field, associations have an obligation to be ahead of the pack.

What are your thoughts?
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Mark Buzan is Principal of Action Strategies, a PR and GR Consultancy for non-profits. Subscribe now to his newsletters at www.actionstrategies.ca

New Book Released: Online PR & Social Media for Associations and Not-for-Profits

Well..new news. After much deliberation, research, trials and errors, I'm happy to announce the release of my first book. Back in March, I placed a YouTube Video on this blog announcing the launch of a trial and error process to learn specifically how non-profits can build a fan base through social media (you can view the video by clicking here). The end result has been a book I have co-authored with Randall Craig of Pinetree Advisors which I believes goes far beyond the far too common hype around social media. Instead, we've aimed to offer concrete step-by-step advice on how you can leverage this great new communications tool for your organization. I sincerely hope you will check it out:


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Mark Buzan is Principal of Action Strategies, a GR Consultancy for non-profits. If you have questions on how you feel your organization could benefit from legislative monitoring services or even undertaking a grassroots advocacy initiative. Subscribe now to his Lobbying tips newsletter at www.actionstrategies.ca

CSAE Conference: Lessons in the Need for Strategic Plans

For those not already aware, I'm here in Toronto this week attending the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) annual convention. While there are a number of subjects we have already covered and undoubtedly more will come, one topic in particular stands out:

"Why do good association executives get fired?"

Presented by Jack Shand (Leaderquest Inc.), there are a number of factors that point to indicators of why matters can go awry. More often than not, association executives themselves are not to blame. They are the victim of poor strategic plans or the lack thereof of any strategic planning itself. When non-profits exist in a vacuum of a clear idea of where it is that they are going, boards and volunteers (not to mention staff) can be left in a guessing situation of what can be expected as measures of success. When this occurs, association executives can soon find themselves in an environment where no matter what they do, their efforts and hard work can be quickly placed in doubt. While the ramifications of this may seem evident for senior association and non-profit staff, I cannot help avoid thinking that from an effective communications or even government relations perspective for NPOs, there are important lessons to be learned as well. PR and lobbying efforts in an association environment will only be as effective as the planning processes that exist behind them.

Strategic planning is needed on two levels. First, a non-profit itself needs an overall strategic plan that sets a clear mission and direction. It cannot be a vague document nor can it set out a laundry list of "to-do's". If an organization's overall strategic plan is unclear, it cannot be expected of a communications professional or lobbyist to reach clear goals. After all, as communicators and government relations professionals, we set in place initiatives with the objective to back up an organization's strategic plans. In the same tune, communications and government relations initiatives need to have their own planning processes. If we fail to plan, we plan to fail!

So, what are your thoughts? Do you think association and non-profit organizations given enough attention to strategic planning? What about in general terms towards the need for communications and advocacy planning? I argue that more than ever, NPOs need to pay more attention to the value of planning of course for the strategic direction of their organization - but they also need to pay attention to the value of strategically planning their advocacy to government and their communications. Without such clear objectives laid out, too often we see the professionals that act in this sphere fall victim to the whims of boards of directors who may not have the insight of all of the ins and outs or successes that have occurred.
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Mark Buzan is Principal of Action Strategies, a GR Consultancy for non-profits. If you have questions on how you feel your organization could benefit from legislative monitoring services or even undertaking a grassroots advocacy initiative. Subscribe now to his Lobbying tips newsletter at www.actionstrategies.ca

A new webinar: Social Media Strategies for Associations and Non-Profits

Booked for November 24, 2009 at 1PM EST.