How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites

  • December 1, 2008
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bender from bender (and 10 others)

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You’ve got an idea and boundless energy. Turn your dream of making a difference into reality by using social networks to spread the word. For more information on social movements, go to www.movements.org

You Will Need

  • A compelling cause
  • A computer with internet access
  • A profile on a social-networking site
  • An extensive network
  • Business cards, T-shirts, or baseball caps
  • Iron-on transfers
  • A computer printer
How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Lay out the movement’s basics

Step 1: Lay out the movement’s basics

Figure out the story you’re trying to tell. Make sure you can articulate why people should join your cause.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Pick a name

Step 2: Pick a name

Decide on your movement’s name and motto. It should be short and self-explanatory. Consider whether it will be easily understood in other languages.

If you or a friend is skilled at graphic design, create a logo as well.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Choose your site

Step 3: Choose your site

Choose which social-networking site to use. If you’re a member of several, pick the one where you have the most connections.

Use tools that search your address book and connections to help expand your network.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Design a group page

Step 4: Design a group page

Create a group with its own page on the social- networking website, and include pictures, videos, and an area for interactive comments. Explain the movement as clearly and briefly as possible. Don’t exaggerate—let the facts tell the story.

A valid emotional hook can pique people’s interest.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Build a website

Step 5: Build a website

Create a stand-alone website dedicated to your cause and provide a link to it on the social-networking site’s group page. You’ll be able to offer more information here, as well as attract anyone who isn’t a member of the social-networking site.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Invite your contacts

Step 6: Invite your contacts

Include as many different social and professional circles as you can in your network. Then, invite your contacts to join the group. Personalize the invitation with a message that emphasizes the importance of your cause.

Tailor the invitation message to different people by appealing to their interests and backgrounds.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Promote discussion

Step 7: Promote discussion

Encourage discussion and debate on the group page’s discussion board. You might get new ideas from recent members, and you can also (politely) address any detractors.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Publicize

Step 8: Publicize

Don’t limit yourself to online publicity—promote your cause on the ground. At a party? Steer the conversation to your movement. Meeting someone for the first time? Don’t be shy about bringing it up.

Distribute fliers, business cards, T-shirts, iron-on transfers, or baseball caps with your cause’s name and logo. See if a local retailer or manufacturer will donate any goods.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Use IM and microblogging

Step 9: Use IM and microblogging

Augment your reach by linking to the group page in your instant-message or microblogging status update.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Take advantage of momentum

Step 10: Take advantage of momentum

As your cause gains steam, take advantage of the momentum. Contact media outlets for press coverage, seek support from political and cultural leaders, and plan an event, like a rally, to increase exposure.

How To Create a Grassroots Movement Using Social-Networking Sites: Start locally; think globally

Step 11: Start locally; think globally

The fastest way to start a grassroots movement is in your local community. But don’t limit yourself to the surrounding area—thinking in global terms will help you reach more people as your movement builds. You never know how big you can get!

On a single day in 2008, 12 million people around the world protested the FARC, a Colombian rebel group. The movement started on Facebook.

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Comments (15)

PAUL

Amazing video! And that evil, all-seeing cloud is a great allegory; really well done

over 3 years ago by PAUL

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Rob_Jewell

this is awesome i've always wanted to use social networks!!!!

over 3 years ago by Rob_Jewell

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BCipolla

The cloud regime is brilliant!

over 3 years ago by BCipolla

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faugna

Congratulations, brilliant video

over 3 years ago by faugna

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rawwill

Thanks this is very cool!

over 3 years ago by rawwill

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Julie_Klam

Terrific video --very useful tips!

over 3 years ago by Julie_Klam

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Michelle

Like it a lot. Can we young people get together like this to stop terrorism? Could a modality like this have stopped what happened last week in India??? The good people must band together using all we have to stop the evil bad people in the world.

over 3 years ago by Michelle

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Dynamic

Wonderful video. Makes me want to fight for...something. Very compelling and informative.

over 3 years ago by Dynamic

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action_democratz_org

Stop Republican filibusters, end the war, increase the minimum wage, and fix health care go to write-congress.democratz.org

over 3 years ago by action_democratz_org

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Lone_Ranger

This is a great find. I have just been a victim on bad internet business (Maxxathlete.com) and I am considering using social media to as an additional force to fight back. I started to blog about it at http://tinyurl.com/crbqlt. I look to using more ideas from the video.

over 2 years ago by Lone_Ranger

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Jorge_Cals

This is great!!, thanks

over 2 years ago by Jorge_Cals

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Christian_Gourdin

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over 2 years ago by Christian_Gourdin

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mobile

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over 2 years ago by mobile

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Diggers_Story

Pro vdo all the way. Thanks!

over 2 years ago by Diggers_Story

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