8 ways to get social with Twin Cities Habitat

Do you get your news from Twitter and your gossip from Facebook?

I do.

I’m an AmeriCorps VISTA member in the communications department here at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, and I coordinate all our social media activities.

If you’re still wondering what all the fuss is about, you’re not alone. About one-third of U.S. internet users don’t use any sort of social network regularly.

I get it. I’m old enough to remember a world without Internet and the myriad technologies we have today. In elementary school, I did my research projects using actual books (Rest in Peace, Encyclopedia Britannica). I talked to my friends on what is now known as a landline. I’m sure my books-on-tape are still around somewhere. 

I also concede some of the arguments against social networking—bullies have found new foothold online, as have those who may fritter away their entire lives composing news bulletins about minutiae: “I had a sandwich for lunch!” “I’m going to the gym then the grocery store!" (I'm as guilty as anyone.)

But Social Media also has proven potential for Social Good. Who is using it and how they are using it may surprise you: 

• While highest usage is still found among the early adult crowd—90 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds are socially networked, an impressive 31% of the 65+ set are also social. 

• According to Inbound Marketing guru HubSpot, U.S. Internet users spend 3x more minutes on blogs & social networks than on email. 

• Consider the case of the homeless woman who found housing through Twitter. Or Join My Village, a nonprofit organization that’s enormously popular on Facebook for one simple reason: For every person who clicks “Like” on their posts, General Mills & Merck donate $3 to educate girls in Malawi and India—up to $1.5 million! 

In short, social media matters – and it’s not just for the teenage set any more.

I think this quote by Josh Mendelsohn, the Vice President of Chadwick Martin Bailey (a market research and consulting service), puts the social media fad-cum-revolution in perspective: 

While social media is not the silver bullet that some pundits claim it to be, it is an extremely important and relatively low-cost touch point that has a direct impact on sales and positive word of mouth. Companies not actively engaging are missing a huge opportunity and are saying something to consumers—intentionally or unintentionally—about how willing they are to engage on consumers’ terms. 

Engaging on consumers’ terms. Or in the case of a nonprofit organization like Habitat, engaging on constituents’ terms—meeting donors, volunteers and advocates where they stand. 

And where they stand, increasingly, is online. As promised, here are 8 ways you can connect with us in the social media realm: 

1. Like us on Facebook: we have four pages where you can keep up with our news, events, Advocacy Action Alerts and volunteer opportunities.
   Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
   Habitat Young Professionals Network---Twin Cities
   Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Women Build
   Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore – great for bargains on home improvement projects!
2. Follow us on Twitter:
   @tchabitat
   @tchfhrestore
   @tchadvocates
3. Circle us on Google Plus! You can also tell us if you want to be added to our Advocate Circle or our Volunteer Circle.
4. Join our group on LinkedIn – Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
5. Check out our pictures on Flickr
6. Watch our videos on YouTube
7. Follow our boards on Pinterest
8. Subscribe to our blog by entering your email in the upper right hand corner of this page – we post fresh content several times a week!