Training presented on opportunities of social media

Wynnewood, PA -- (SBWire) -- 03/16/2010 -- Hollister Creative, a Philadelphia area marketing communications firm, recently trained staff and volunteer leaders of Greater Philadelphia Cares (GPC) in the use of Facebook for “friendraising.” GPC is the largest provider of volunteer services in the Greater Philadelphia region, with more than 80 partner agencies benefiting from the work of volunteers it has recruited.

Now in its 20th year, Hollister Creative continues to expand the marketing communications services it offers to for-profit and nonprofit clients by combining new and traditional media in whatever blend works best. Though developed for nonprofits — for which social media presents exciting new opportunities — the Hollister workshop is available to benefit all organizations.

Hollister studied how strategic use of a Facebook fan page could help Greater Philadelphia Cares raise awareness about volunteering, strengthen the sense of community among current volunteers and soft-sell prospective volunteers on the rewards of service. Then Hollister created two highly specific, easy-to-follow action plans; one for GPC leaders and staff, who would administer the fan page; another for the organization’s strongest supporters, who would become the first fans. Together, staff and supporters are propelling the page to popularity by posting news, pictures and comments, and by bringing their friends and fellow volunteers on board.

“Through its fan page, GPC is leveraging the power of its biggest fans to pump up the volume on a 24/7 conversation about volunteering in Philadelphia,” says Hollister President Kim Landry. “Inviting prospects to join a conversation is a very soft sell that appeals especially to the under-35 audience — an important audience for GPC.”

Hollister presented its action plans in a private coaching session with GPC leaders and in a Facebook “friendraising” workshop for GPC volunteers. The workshop was informal, enthusiastic and highly interactive — much like Facebook itself. Half the attendees were active Facebook users and half were skeptics. By the end of the workshop, all the skeptics had become enthusiasts.

Hollister Managing Editor Martha Michaela Hutchman Brown, who co-moderates Hollister’s own fan page on Facebook, noted, “In the few weeks since we provided this training, Greater Philadelphia Cares has increased its Facebook fan base considerably, engaged current volunteers in a productive conversation and attracted the attention of some soon-to-be-volunteers.”

About Hollister Creative
Hollister Creative (http://www.HollisterCreative.com) writes and designs print and web marketing communications materials for foundations, corporations, cultural institutions and non-profits.