We need to treat some of our social media friends and followers like major donors. First we need to define what makes a social media friend a “major donor”.

•  Has lots of followers
• Preferably a power user on more than one network – Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc.
• Re-tweets, responds or posts your messages to their friends
• Has participated in (or led) a Causes event, Twestival, other online giving
• Has shown interest in giving back or donating
  • Made a gift on-line or via social media
  • Led a Causes page creation
  • Features a nonprofit Cause or Page on their Facebook profile/website
  • Signed and/or sent petition about social causes
  • Formed or is part of a group to support a nonprofit or support opportunity
  • Shared photos/stories from a volunteer activity
  • Posted nonprofit information
• Shared a post about giving back
• Has given a gift to you and/or other causes– but this may not be a requirement

The best part of social media is we can learn so much about our followers and friends from their profiles. Old school prospect research has turned into Googling someone and their LinkedIn profile shows up. Now we can go to Facebook and learn more about our follower’s interests better and faster than ever before.

Next post – once you have identified your social media major donors – what are you going to do with them?

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