If you’d like to keep track of your teen, PureAppStudio has created a tool that will allow you to keep track of them using a pair of Android phones. Let me preface by writing this– I am not convinced that this app makes the cut when trying to keep track on your teens. However, if your teen is cooperative, give this app a try. Teenage Tracker is an app that you install on your phone and on your teen’s phone that lets you track their whereabouts based on the GPS in their mobile devices.
How It Functions
The app tracks the location of your teens whereabouts and pinpoints their location. The app also taps int the phone’s camera to create audio and video recording of where they are and what they are doing. I am not a 100% sold on this app, but I think it has some potential.
I will take this moment to make reference to some crowdfunding posts I wrote about sometime last year. If you have an idea of some sort and are in need of raising capital, just look at this company’s efforts to raise funds on indiegogo to spearhead their efforts to take this app to the next level. At the very least, this post will serve as a good example of crowdfunding to raise money for the next big social media venture.
To all of you who have creative minds or have the next big Zuckerberg (Facebook) vision– I wish you much luck! I recently read a book which might give you some much needed motivation, entitled Lead Without A Title by Robin Sharma. Dare to dream…..
OMGee……I can barely contain my excitement about this crowdfuding tool!! Sooooo….. excited! Can you tell? Ok, so recently I’ve written a lot about crowdfunding tools for entrepeneurs, for non-profit organizations, or for individual needs. One thing was missing….. crowdfunding for research- whether medical, scientific or the like. Thanks to one of my blog subscribers, I learned about microryza.com.
As a long time sufferer (and I mean, I really suffered) of endometriosis, I know the need for more sound research. Women like myself don’t have many options to treat this disease. It can be debilitating at times. I think I just found my new social media forum to raise funds to research endometriosis.
Please feel free to share this awesome crowdfunding social media tool, with anyone you know may be interested in research.
Cheers,
Anabelle
Recently, I wrote a couple of articles having to do with crowdfunding. I was motivated to do so because of my interest in helping reputable pet rescue organizations, raise some very needed funds. I was surprised by how many subscribers my website garnered, literally overnight. So, I did some more digging. I think I found another crowdfunding tool for all of you interested in starting any type of charity campaign. This one seems to be a pretty easy one as well. I think it might be good for those of you who need to raise funds for something personal you might need in your life. I had a friend contact me about helping her find sources to help her while she goes to nursing school. I think this might be a tool that can be used for personal needs as well.
Now, being the social media aficionado that I am, I like microgiving.com, because it seems to be really easy to use, and the links seem to be super user-friendly for embedding on Facebook, Twitter and the like. I have not personally tested microgiving.com out, so don’t hold me to it. However, I think it’s worth it for you to try it.
I’d love feedback. If you’ve used microgiving.com before, or just recently tried it out, please let me know your thoughts on it. Be sure to subscribe to my blog, for weekly updates on the latest trends in social media tools.
Wishing you much luck in your crowdfunding endeavors,
Anabelle Taub
If you’re a volunteer or an employee of a non-profit organization, but are not sure which social media tools you should use as part of your marketing plan, here are some very effective tools I’d like to share with you.
First, let’s go over the basics of a non-profit marketing plan. 4 basic items to consider:
- Who are you trying to engage?
- What are you trying to achieve?
- What are the tools you’re going to use? (Don’t worry, I got you covered)!
- What will your marketing plan’s results look like when you’re done?
You need a solid marketing plan (much like creating a business plan, I’d create both). The above four pointers are a good place to start. To implement your plan, you’ll need some great social media tools. The following are the most desirable (in my humble opinion) social media tools best used for campaigns specific to non-profit-organizations:
- Search for key word terms (for example, pet rescue) on search.twitter.com. You will find twitter users who are speaking about pets or pet rescues. I would start by following them, and than reaching out to them, by asking them to visit your blog, or view your YouTube videos. DO NOT TRY TO SELL THEM ANYTHING, OR ASK FOR IMMEDIATE DONATIONS. If you do that, they will surely block you, or unfollow you.
- Create a fundraising campaign organized with twitter. Click to read their guidelines for non-profits.
- Promote awareness of your cause using Facebook and Twitter via Twibbon.
- Organize a petition with act.ly. I actually think this is a nifty tool to reach groups, organizations, or famous people who might share a mutual passion for your cause. This is by far my favorite social media tool for raising awareness.
- Create a cause, and add it to your organization’s Facebook page.
- Add your blog’s feed to your fan page wall via the Notes application.
- Add your events to your Facebook fan page.
- Ask your Facebook fans to upload videos which support your organization. (For example: if you create YouTube videos, be sure they have happy endings, and allow these videos to be embedded by others). Take a look at Hope For Paw’s videos. They are the perfect example!
- Apply for a designated nonprofit Youtube Channel. This is an incredible tool. I love it. Be sure that your videos have a happy ending, not a sad one! Encourage your supporters to engage and upload video responses.
- My absolute other favorite tool- the Google for Nonprofits. The benefits after you’ve been approved for eligibility is incredible. Apply Here.
- Be sure that your website or blog has a “Share This” widget.
I have two passions in life, my first, animal rights advocacy, and second, I am a social media marketing aficionado. I sincerely hope that these tools help you raise the funds your worthy cause surely deserves. I’ve armed you with more than enough information and tools to run your very own non-for-profit marketing campaign. However, you will need to dedicate a lot of time for your cause to succeed. You may need the help of additional volunteers. If you have the funding for it, you should absolutely consider a professional social media marketing agency to help run your campaign. Feel free to contact me to discuss a possible non-for-profit marketing campaign. Eco Press offers discounted rates to legitimate 501(c)(3) organizations.
Your Turn: I would love your feedback on this article. Please let me know if you find the tools useful and/or helpful. Please share any other tools you’ve used, that you think others would benefit from.
Thanks for taking the time to read my article!
– Anabelle Taub
Social media is changing more than the way we market and communicate… It’s changing the way individuals, small business owners, and non-profit organizations raise capital. If you have a brilliant business idea, or an altruistic cause, but are having difficulty getting your idea off the ground, I urge you to look into crowdfunding.
So, What Is Crowdfunding?
Built on the idea of crowdsourcing (the act of outsourcing tasks, traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, to an undefined, large group of people or community, through an open call- definition courtesy of Wikipedia), Crowdfunding pulls together a community to fund a project, business or cause, usually via the internet.
How Does Crowdfunding Work?
Generally, people, businesses or charities, pitch an idea, set a fundraising goal and set a deadline for raising funds. Potential visitors can review the pitches and decide if they’d like to support and/or contribute to these causes/business ventures. The key word here is funding, not investing. They are rewarded if the project comes to fruition, but don’t end up owning any part of the business, project, or charity/good cause. Each site has different rules and regulations, so be sure to review them.
Let’s go over some crowdfunding sources:
- To launch your own project, I want to introduce you to Kickstarter- one of the most popular crowdfunding sites. It works like this:
You start a pitch, describe your project, specify what rewards participants will receive if the fundraising is successful and create a funding goal and a timeline. If you don’t reach your funding goal by the deadline, no money changes hands. Pledges are made with a credit card; if you’re backing a project, your card won’t be charged until the project is successfully funded.
- Another great crowdfunding source that I am a fan of is IndieGoGo. Starting your own campaign is quite easy, so is spreading the word. With a link, and a few social media tools, you should be able to get the word out about your cause/campaign easily. For those who know me well, they know that pet rescue and animal rights advocacy is my life’s passion! Have a look at some of the pet rescue fundraising campaigns on IdieGoGo.
On another note: About a year and a half ago, I learned about a Eldad Hagar, of Hope for Paws. He runs one of the most efficient social media campaigns to raise awareness for his cause, and raise capital to fund the amazing pet rescue missions he undertakes. I urge you to visit his youtube channel, and website, to learn how a flawless charity campaigns I have ever seen. If you’re an animal lover, I urge you to make a small donation to his non-for-profit organization. Eldad is a true altruist, a real animal lover, and brilliant at raising much needed funds for the hundreds of strays he’s rescued in his hometown of Los Angeles, and abroad.
Your Turn: Do you know of any other crowdfunding sites that are reliable, and easy for an individual to start their own campaign/cause?
