Online profiles are basically the same as entries in a phone book or
database. At a minimum, online profiles include names and contact
details, but they become really interesting when they provide more
info, such as the mission statement for an organization and details
about its programs. When placed on a network Web site along with other
similar and likeminded organizations, they become truly powerful tools
for networking and information sharing. As you may have noticed,
the Web is becoming more "social" and more network Web sites are
cropping up to help our socializing online (a list of good ones is at
the bottom of this article). Online profile information is being
organized and displayed in exciting new ways to enable us to make
connections that otherwise would have been impossible. Mimi strongly
recommends that you get a handle on how online profiles work, the
benefits and dangers involved, and that you also keep track of places
you post your organization's info online. Of course, your profile on
Kabissa is a great place to start!
Case in point: your organization's profile on Kabissa!
People
go to network Web sites like Kabissa to learn what others are doing and
to look for projects or organizations to get involved in or support.
The Kabissa online profile directory, therefore, should be quite
important to you: it helps to show the world what organizations are
doing in your country and sector, and attracts interest to the issues
and concerns you are working on.
Everyone that receives the Gong
Gong newsletter is part of an organization that has an online profile
on Kabissa. If you have not updated your profile lately, Mimi strongly
recommends that you do so as soon as possible! But first, read the rest
of this article. Find and review your profile. Discuss it with your
team. If it does not represent your organization adequately, write up a
new profile you all are happy with and update it right away.
Then make a plan for ensuring it is always updated when something
exciting happens or big changes take place at your organization.
Kabissa
is listening to you! In the most recent member survey, published this month, we got thoughtful feedback on how to improve
the Profiles Directory. In line with your comments, we plan to make it
even easier for you to maintain an up to date profile and browse and find potential partners.
Click here to read the survey results.
Best practices and pitfalls to avoid
Think
of your organization's profiles on network Web sites as brief resumes
that provide vital details about your organization, tailored for the
community you are writing for. Using the tips below, you and your team
can create a compelling profile for your organization in just a few
minutes:
Best practices:
- Be brief and to the point.
Most people don't have time to read lengthy profiles. Your profile is
not a proposal. Visitors to your profile want to be able to learn in a
few sentences what your organization does and why. They will then
contact you if they are interested in finding out more, so you want to
lure them in with a few clear sentences or paragraphs.
- Check spelling and grammar.
Nothing destroys a professional image like typos and spelling errors.
You may want to copy and paste your profile information into a word
processing program and use the spell check feature. Avoid writing in
all caps, as it looks like you're shouting.
- Get feedback.
Encourage a friend or colleague to look at your profile and tell you
what they liked or would change. Remember, you are trying to attract
people to your organization!
Pitfalls to avoid:
- Be safe.
If your organization works on advocacy issues, absolutely avoid posting
sensitive information that might endanger yourself or people in your
community now or if circumstances change in the future. Remember, if
it's on the Web, anyone can read it!
- Don't let your profile information go stale.
Like any good Web site, your online profiles should be updated
regularly. Make sure your contact details, mission statement, and
organizational activities are up-to-date and clear. Mimi recommends
that you update your various online profiles several times a year or
more frequently. Kabissa requires an annual update of all member profile info.
- Avoid including personal information or e-mail addresses. Consider creating a generic e-mail mailbox (we use info@kabissa.org ) for your organization that someone is always in charge of checking on a regular basis. Use the generic e-mail address on all of your online profile pages, and your organization will always be reachable and your personal mailboxes will be protected from unsolicited spam/junkmail.
Update your Kabissa profile now!
Step 1. Go to
http://www.kabissa.org/update_profile.html (click to open in new browser window now)
Step
2. Log in by typing in the primary e-mail address listed for your
organization and your password in the relevant form boxes and click
"Log in" button. (forgot your password? click the "email me my account
password!" link)
Step 3. Carefully review your
organization's details. Be sure your mission statement is succinct and
enticing (no more than 250 words is ideal) and that the detailed
description contains up-to-date, relevant information. Don't forget to
include your organization's Web site and the best contact details to
reach you! Keep in mind that the e-mail addresses you provide to
Kabissa are not displayed in your public profile, though they are used
when using the "write to this organization" feature.
More network Web sites you might want to join
Kabissa
is one of many network Web sites out there. Below is a selection we
particularly like and think you might find useful. If you're already a
member of these networks, then check to see if your profile is
up-to-date!
Know another great online community Web site?
Please tell Mimi and she will gladly add it to this list!
Links open in a new browser window.
- African Democracy Forum
http://www.africandemocracyforum.org
From
the website: ADF is a network of democracy, human rights, and
governance organizations seeking to consolidate democracy in Africa.
Browse profiles of member organizations by country, or use the search
form to find a specific organization.
- Oneworld Africa
http://africa.oneworld.net/section/africa/partners
From
the website: OneWorld brings together more than 1,500 organizations
from across the globe - to promote sustainable development, social
justice and human rights.
- TakingITGlobal
http://www.takingitglobal.org/resources/orgs/
From the website: Sign up for a free membership that gives you:
- Access to a global network of over 100,000 TakingITGlobal members
- Tools for creating and managing your Projects and Organizations
- The ability to submit writing to Panorama, our online publication
- Your own Artist's Page in the Global Gallery
- Your own TIGblog and much, much more!
- Idealist: Action Without Borders
http://www.idealist.org
From
the website: Idealist is one of the leading sites for nonprofit
information and resources. Aside from providing web presence to a
growing audience specifically interested in the work of the nonprofit
sector, registered organizations have the ability to:
- Create their own page on Idealist.
- Post job, internship, volunteer, and event listings.
- Post program and campaign information.
- PRODDER - Development Information Portal for NGOs in South Africa
http://www.prodder.org.za
From
the website: PRODDER is part of SANGONeT’s broader information
services, which aim to provide a user-friendly one-stop internet entry
point to information on South African NGOs and development
organisations. This portal showcases the work of these organisations,
raises awareness of their development activities and highlights the
issues and challenges they face. It also provides a tool to
disseminate and communicate information about NGOs to other NGOs,
donors and the general public.
- Useful social networking tools with profile pages