Comments on: COF: An Outsider’s View On Foundation Communications http://www.tacticalphilanthropy.com/2009/05/cof-an-outsiders-view-on-foundation-communications Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:42:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gayle Thorsen http://www.tacticalphilanthropy.com/2009/05/cof-an-outsiders-view-on-foundation-communications/comment-page-1#comment-6903 Gayle Thorsen Tue, 05 May 2009 17:11:41 +0000 http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2009/05/cof-an-outsiders-view-on-foundation-communications#comment-6903 Amen to that Catherine! A while ago I put some ideas out on my blog about free ways foundations and nonprofits can conduct audience research. http://impactmax.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/nonprofits-to-…-your-audience/ But I'm betting you have better ideas about how small to medium-sized foundations without big budgets can learn about their key audiences' preferences, interests, needs, trusted and most used media, behavioral triggers, etc.? Any chance you can write a follow-up post somewhere on that? We could sure use your expertise and ideas! And thanks for bringing this issue to the fore. Amen to that Catherine!

A while ago I put some ideas out on my blog about free ways foundations and nonprofits can conduct audience research. http://impactmax.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/nonprofits-to-…-your-audience/

But I’m betting you have better ideas about how small to medium-sized foundations without big budgets can learn about their key audiences’ preferences, interests, needs, trusted and most used media, behavioral triggers, etc.? Any chance you can write a follow-up post somewhere on that? We could sure use your expertise and ideas! And thanks for bringing this issue to the fore.

]]> By: Catherine England http://www.tacticalphilanthropy.com/2009/05/cof-an-outsiders-view-on-foundation-communications/comment-page-1#comment-6901 Catherine England Tue, 05 May 2009 03:59:14 +0000 http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2009/05/cof-an-outsiders-view-on-foundation-communications#comment-6901 Couldn't agree more Leann. Research is just one way to increase understanding of how best to effectively reach your target audience. In my opinion, the real value of most social media tools is that they enable a two-way conversation. It's this ability to have a dialogue that is truly invaluable. Couldn’t agree more Leann. Research is just one way to increase understanding of how best to effectively reach your target audience. In my opinion, the real value of most social media tools is that they enable a two-way conversation. It’s this ability to have a dialogue that is truly invaluable.

]]> By: Leanne http://www.tacticalphilanthropy.com/2009/05/cof-an-outsiders-view-on-foundation-communications/comment-page-1#comment-6899 Leanne Tue, 05 May 2009 01:46:18 +0000 http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2009/05/cof-an-outsiders-view-on-foundation-communications#comment-6899 I think you're right on the money, Catherine, and I would love to see your "outsider" perspective given the respect and attention it deserves. Often, we forget just what we look like to others, having grown so used to our own reflections. If foundations could see themselves as others do I bet it would be quite the surprise for just as foundations might be missing the mark in terms of their audience, I'm sure their audience is laboring under false assumptions about foundations as well. Wouldn't it be great to start all over again, as if foundations were brand new and spreading their message about affecting change? Wouldn't it be great if their audience, instead of being a bit separate from the foundations, could actually create a new message WITH them? I think you’re right on the money, Catherine, and I would love to see your “outsider” perspective given the respect and attention it deserves. Often, we forget just what we look like to others, having grown so used to our own reflections.

If foundations could see themselves as others do I bet it would be quite the surprise for just as foundations might be missing the mark in terms of their audience, I’m sure their audience is laboring under false assumptions about foundations as well.

Wouldn’t it be great to start all over again, as if foundations were brand new and spreading their message about affecting change? Wouldn’t it be great if their audience, instead of being a bit separate from the foundations, could actually create a new message WITH them?

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