Disqus - Latest Comments for chrisbailey

Re: The Nonprofit Marketing Blog

Chris Bailey — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:09:02 -0000

It's also worth mentioning that this didn't start as an idea cooked up by a nonprofit fundraising or marketing team. It was initiated by two guys suffering from ALS who wanted to raise awareness.

I'll be willing to bet there will be several NPOs that imitate this for their own fundraising campaigns. The challenge will be to create something else using these guidelines that makes it unique and not a cynical copycat stunt.

Re: Why It’s Hard to be a Volunteer (And Even Harder for You to Find Them)

Chris Bailey — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:25:51 -0000

What continues to shock and frustrate me is how many of my fellow NPOs don't even bother to respond to requests to volunteer. They put the volunteer forms on their site and then when interested folks sign up.......nothing. Which, while I understand we're busy, starts off the volunteer experience in a very poor way. If I'm not important enough to get a simple response saying, "Hi. Thanks. We'll be back with you soon.", then why should I think I'm important to the org's needs and mission?

Re: Are Groups Next on LinkedIn's Chopping Block?

Chris Bailey — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:05:48 -0000

Excellent observations. One reason why it's essential to remember that when we rent space online with FB or LinkedIn, there may be benefits to getting eyeballs but we really don't have control and ownership over our content. And the landlords can kick us out without much notice or care.

Re: 20 Awesome Nonprofit Marketing Blogs You Should Be Reading

Chris Bailey — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 13:35:34 -0000

Excellent list. Lately, I've been impressed with the quality of content from Bloomerang: https://bloomerang.co/blog/

Re: Wake Up – Why It’s Now About the Media not the Social

Chris Bailey — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:27:59 -0000

Thanks, Carrie. Given the problems that PBS and NPR have had lately with funding, I'm not sure who wants to tackle this...but this may be just the opportunity to innovate in a way that folks might gravitate toward. Imagine a social network that isn't about selling your data to the highest bidder, but one that genuinely wants to keep you in touch with friends, family, and the greater societal good.

Re: Wake Up – Why It’s Now About the Media not the Social

Chris Bailey — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 14:09:56 -0000

Yes, I can understand the disappointment, but in hindsight it feels almost inevitable. Which leads to a couple of questions/thoughts:

1. What will it take for us to be more conscious participants in this new media landscape? If more of us saw the reality of our participation in providing FB, TW, and LI with their means of existence, would they choose a different course? Perhaps not. Perhaps it's the price we're willing to pay for our amusement and sense of connection (if we can still call it connection).

2. Is there a potential opening for a nonprofit-like entity to enter the scene? Think NPR/PBS model among the major broadcast networks. How could something like this gain the needed audience to become a viable enterprise?

Just some ideas that your post provoked, Jay. Thanks for nudge.

Re: 10 Things I Learned In 2013: The Year Of The Existential Speedbump

Chris Bailey — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 10:27:53 -0000

Thanks for sharing John. When my Inner Critic whispers to me about my failings, I respond that each time was an example of me courageously taking a risk. It's how we learn and challenge ourselves. I'm excited about the work you're doing now and look forward to watching you thrive in the years to come. Be well and strong.

Re: Video: Being Real, Telling My Story

Chris Bailey — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 17:50:20 -0000

Thank you, David. I haven't read Learning to Fall and that excerpt was beautiful. There is so much truth in his words and appreciate you sharing it. Here's to appreciating the strawberries that are all around us...and the courage to fall with and to grace. Be well, my friend.

Re: Lunchtime Links: Leading Your Clan Of Loyal Volunteers: Associations Now

Chris Bailey — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 21:31:26 -0000

Not all members value the same thing about their association. When it comes to demonstrating membership value, it's also critical to know what each important segment values most. Instead of pitching a one-size-fits-all value across your entire membership, build member personas and segment your database accordingly. That way, you can highlight the different ways your association creates value.

Re: On Letting Go and Letting In

Chris Bailey — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 20:01:09 -0000

Thank you, Wim. The realization that my best is yet to come in my 40s and beyond is exciting. Here's to us doing great work in 2014.

Re: Donations Through Facebook? I'd Think Twice About That

Chris Bailey — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 19:16:45 -0000

Oh, don't feel bad. I think we have to be skeptics (or at least thoughtful objectionists). Lest our organizations go all-in on the next bright-shiny-object, then wonder why they've lost money, time, resources, and credibility on a half-baked - though well-intentioned - idea.

Re: Donations Through Facebook? I'd Think Twice About That

Chris Bailey — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 17:43:09 -0000

Maggie, I was thinking along these similar lines yesterday. Yes, the potential to clear out a little bit of friction from the donation process sounds intriguing...but the trust between donor and nonprofit is too important to leave open to Facebook's whims and frequent snafus.

I'll be curious to see what adoption looks like in 6 months and wager most nonprofits will also be in a wait-and-see mode. Too much risk for too little probable reward.

Re: The War On Play

Chris Bailey — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:39:10 -0000

Thanks, Tommy. I admire what you're building through your own business. Having been through it all before myself, I know how hard you work to build something you love. Cheers to you, my friend. Here's to a great 2014 for us both.

Re: Automatic Renewals: Realistic or Too Good to Be True?

Chris Bailey — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 08:42:18 -0000

While auto-renewals can definitely save the association time and money, it can also create a sense of complacency around value. Membership always centers around delivering new and compelling reasons to remain with the association. So, while these barriers and hesitations are real, we need to also stay focused on the reasons why members want to renew in the first place - whether automated or manually.

Re: Maybe I’m Not An Extrovert After All

Chris Bailey — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:53:47 -0000

Cathy, you are so not alone. I've struggled with the bastard called anxiety for the better part of my life. I have my very good days as well as my dark days where I want to cling tightly to the safety of my home and shut off myself from the outside world. Like you, I've gone to events recently and within 5 minutes said, "To hell with this, I gotta go." And you know what? There's no shame in this. Not one bit. We do what we need to do to survive.

Know that there is light and goodness and hope. Those who love you will accept you and never turn you away. You are - and always will be - enough. And if you ever need to talk to someone who understands the pain of anxiety, know I am here for you.

Re: VIDEO: Building Your Brand Ambassador Program

Chris Bailey — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 19:17:06 -0000

I appreciate your comment, Simon. All best wishes to you and your nonprofit venture.

Re: What Company Culture IS and IS NOT

Chris Bailey — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:40:43 -0000

Rand, this is a thoughtful and eloquent post. Trying to understand organizational culture is one reason I chose to pursue a post-grad degree in anthropology. There are a few other issues that plague how businesses of all sizes and stripes conceive of their culture. And they're all interrelated:

1. A belief that culture can be built, top-down. Yes, as you mention, it's important for leadership to clearly articulate values, mission, etc. But these elements just provide the loose structure, a direction. They are really not culture themselves. Also, just because the CEO says, "This is our culture" doesn't make it true. It's way bigger than that.

2. A belief that there is just one culture. No matter how many people call an organization their professional home, there is not just one culture in play. There are multiple subcultures that often get overlooked. Think about the differences between accounting and sales. Yes, they may adhere to the same shared norms and values of the company, but how they work and interact are likely very different. And this isn't even including the cultures we bring with us from our own personal lives.

3. Finally, a belief that culture is tame and structured. This is the most pernicious lie that business leaders tell each other. Culture is messy. It's constantly evolving. It can be fragile. When doing social network analyses, it's amazing to see what happens when key individuals who serve as important nodes in the network leave the organization. It upsets any sense of order.

It pains me to see culture get thrown around like so many other buzzwords that get stripped of their meaning. Don't think you did that here. But it's far more than what is narrowly defined by most business leaders and thinkers.

Re: Aspects of narrative work: III Power - Cognitive Edge Network Blog

Chris Bailey — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:25:53 -0000

I love what you say here, Dave. I wrestle with these very concepts daily as marketer, anthropologist, and business consultant. It's all so easy to gather stories from individuals and then undermine their full power by driving as quickly as possible to quantify for results.

But I do have a question: What happens when the story teller doesn't fully understand the meaning of their story? Is there not a space where the audience helps add to that meaning? Perhaps this is what you're saying in the final paragraph.

Thank you for giving me something to carefully consider today.

Re: Why Twitter needs to learn a lesson from Apple. And FAST.

Chris Bailey — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 15:38:18 -0000

Thank you, Mark. I read your kind thoughts last night and they made me smile. I needed to read them after a tough week. I promise to not be such a stranger and hopefully we will get that chance to catch up very, very soon.

I can sometimes err toward the side of criticizing Twitter execs for their actions but I can also appreciate their dilemma. It's hard to chart a different course, get everyone on board to make the shift, and then execute the change. Old businesses and relationships may need to get tossed. The question is will it enhance Twitter's business over the long haul or curse it to the fate of something like AOL which lost its way?

Re: Why Twitter needs to learn a lesson from Apple. And FAST.

Chris Bailey — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:44:19 -0000

Mark, I've been wondering about the private conversations, the hidden dynamics that are taking place within Twitter (and really any other companies that rely on third-party developers to accentuate their business). I imagine that these changes are fueled by funders who are tiring of not seeing a full return on investment.

But in the balance is the culture of outside developers who have made Twitter every bit of the success it might be today. A culture is a fragile thing and I wonder if the braintrust at Twitter fully grasps this reality. Maybe they do and choose to take the risk. They've backed themselves into a pretty tight corner. Only time will tell if Twitter thrives or wanders into obsolescence within the next few years.

Re: Search for the Best Burger Joint in Austin: The Tavern

Chris Bailey — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:33:55 -0000

Didn't think about The Tavern for burgers but this review calls for a trip there soon. Good to see Billy's and Hopdoddys (the Llano Poblano is sublime) on your list.

Here are a couple of additional suggestions for burger joints:
1. Phil's Icehouse. I'm a sucker for sourdough buns. I've never been disappointed in any of their burgers.
2. I never go to The Alamo Drafthouse without getting the Royale with Cheese. Might not be Tavern-good but it's definitely a tasty burger with damn good fries.

Re: Irate sports fans hijack UPS company blog

Chris Bailey — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:21:39 -0000

I'm okay to be wrong on this, but I also appreciate a compelling argument as to why I am wrong. We want companies to be open and transparent, to be human. But we also want companies to please every single customer. So what about Duke fans? Or people who don't like University of Kentucky? I imagine they enjoyed the ad. And there's nothing in that blogpost from UPS that strikes me as belligerent toward any customers. Again, I stand by my argument that we are quickly becoming an overly impatient consumer culture. Sure some businesses deserve customer ire for their recklessness (Bank of America, Lehman Bros come to mind). But getting upset over a commercial? Can a company do anything right these days?

Re: Irate sports fans hijack UPS company blog

Chris Bailey — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:05:54 -0000

To call this a "PR nightmare" is a bit of an overstatement. Who is really angry here? UK fans. How many of those are there? In the grand scheme of things, they constitute a vast minority of UPS's customers. To be frank, there are a lot of people who live in Kentucky who don't care for UK at all (hello, Louisville folks).

So let's all step back from the brink and calm down. UPS doesn't need to do any damage control. If they do, they've literally wasted money...money that could be spent in better ways. Not every PR issue has to be treated like DEFCON 1. We overblow things like this and I'm beginning to wonder who benefits in the long run.

Re: What I Learned From Quitting My Job…Twice.

Chris Bailey — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:14:29 -0000

Amber, as I sit here and read this it's as if I'm reading something I wrote (or should write). There's a lot of kindredness here. In 15 years, I'm going out for a third time to build something on my own. The fear is still there, but tempered by more experience, stronger network, better focus on what my company will deliver.

Thank you for being open and sharing your thoughts and experiences. Can't wait to see what you and Matt create in your new venture.

Re: Should your blog posts look more like this?

Chris Bailey — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:01:59 -0000

Agree with you and Ari. I get the concept Neicole is trying to express, but what I'm also noticing is a general Pinterest/infographic fervor gone wild. Images should serve to enhance the story and content.