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
  • delicious - shared bookmarks
    http://del.icio.us
  • flickr - shared photos
    http://www.flickr.com
  • upcoming - shared calendaring
    http://upcoming.org