How To Use a Facebook/Twitter App for your Activism Campaign

how to:How To Use a Facebook/Twitter App for your Activism Campaign

Posted by Rachel Silver in Build Awareness , Attract Supporters, Facebook Activism, Twitter Activism, Social Media for Social Good, Crowdsource, Email Advocacy, Video for Change
originally posted on September 23, 2011

Inspired by Status4Syria, an app that allows you to "donate" your Twitter and Facebook status' to messages about the Syrian Revolution, this post will teach you how to use a custom app for your campaign. NOTE: This guide will not teach you how to build the app, you will need someone who knows how to code (to find a coder willing to help visit our Marketplace) This guide will teach you how to create the campaign and implement the app when it is built.

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Step 1

Define your goal. In the case of Status4Syria the goal was to spread the word about the atrocities happening by the hands of the government in Syria and to gather support for the Syrian Opposition.

Tip!

For more help defining your goal, check out, "How to Plan and Strategize"

Step 2

Build your app. You'll need to find a coder who can build this for you using the Facebook and Twitter APIs. That means that the app will be able to access subscribers Facebook and Twitter information so it can auto-update their status messages.

Tip!

Looking for an experienced coder who can help you build this app? Post your need in the Movements.org Marketplace! If you have some egineering experience you can check out these videos on building custom apps that use Facebook and Twitter Connect:

50 Twitter Tools and Tutorials For Designers and Developers

Facebook for Websites

Step 3

Create a Facebook Page or website where people can go to sign up for the app. For an example, check out Status4Syria's page.

Tip!

Create a free blog (that can function as a website) with WordPress

How to Create a Custom Facebook Page

Step 4

How will you decide which messages go out and when? If you are building the project alone you can crowdsource ideas from your supporters. Ask people to Tweet or post on your Facebook wall their suggestions for messages. If you are collaborating with other organizers, create a shared google doc so everyone can contribute suggestions. You can also use Facebook questions to post suggested status updates on your Facebook page and your supporters can vote them up or down.

Step 5

Publicize your campaign so people will start using the app! Create a cause video and at the end have a call to action that sends people to your new website where they can donate their status to your cause. Share your new web page through Facebook and Twitter and ask others to share it as well. IF you have an email list send messages to your email subscribers about the campaign.

Step 6

How will you keep people involved over time? In addition to updating status messages that will auto populate your subscribers status' don't forget to send out general information about the cause. Continue to Tweet and share on Facebook images, videos, news, and updates about your cause. Follow these updates with a phrase like, "Want to help with this cause? Donate your status!" with a link to your page where they can subscribe to the app.

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