Hello. I am CKE. This year for my birthday, I decided to forego personal gifts and do something for others. So, I left shame behind and asked 500+ of my closest friends to join me on Facebook for a Social Cause. The goal was to host my very first virtual party during my birthday month, and raise $500 for an organization dear to my heart.
Being new to the digital industry, I've been exposed and inspired to do many cool things. Definition 6 offers such great solutions to our clients, such as planning social media strategy, creating voice of brand for clients to engage with audiences effectively, and even developing amazing Facebook apps such as the one for True Blood, Immortalize Yourself, that I could not resist the temptation. I decided to get close to the action and see what independent results I could stir up for my own cause.
My charity of choice was Infinite Family. INFINITE FAMILY makes it possible for adults around the world, through weekly video conversations, to improve the daily lives and future of sub-Saharan African children affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty.
As an active member of Infinite Family Connections Council; the news that excites me the most, happens when students are confident, prepared and mentored into passing Regional Tests. A passing score determines if the student will attend middle school. Without passing the test and without a middle school education, the child has NO chance of a secondary education. For my birthday, my wish was for friends to join me in contributing to the long-term success of these children.
And now the drums roll. What were the results of the Birthday Facebook Cause? At first, the responses trickled in before my birthday so I was pretty psyched to see how it would turn out. However, on the actual day of July 15th, the needle did not move past $200. How would I ever reach the goal of $500?
I had to apply the missing component. Engagement. My strategy included personal emails, wall posts, videos, event invites, periodic $$$ updates, and honest communication. In the engagement, I learned a lot about my friends and was able to really answer their concerns and questions. The grand surprise came from an unexpected donor who received a forward of my wall post. The message motivated the donor to match what I was suggesting and they pledged $500 immediately. Between on-line donations and off-line donations, My Birthday Facebook Cause raised over $1000!
The power of social engagement cannot be denied.
My desire to promote and contribute to the cause remains vibrant. If you wish to donate during my birthday month of July, please visit My Birthday Facebook Cause.
With great gratitude,
CKE
Powered by Compendium