Thank you Abby Waumbaugh for the gentle reminder it had been thirty days since my last post. Trust me, I haven’t been slacking (aren’t you following my tweets??). Far from it and I hope my short blogging sabbatical will benefit my readers as much as it has benefited me.
During my time away from this page I spent an inordinate amount of time networking, researching, pondering, pontificating and, now that I am back on the job, implementing.
One thing I found in my research, there is an awful lot of talk on social media and not a lot of doing. Go ahead and argue the point but I assure you, the doing part pales in comparison to the talking part.
I’m not complaining about pointless tweets. Heck, occasionally I post a photo of my dog or a funny sign. But what I am concerned about is with all the power Twitter (and other social media tools) has, with its ability to join so many in so many ways (for example, my students use it to share information other students in class might also find interesting/beneficial) I find all we are really scratching the surface of its true value – change.
What if we harnessed all this connectivity and power for something good? What if we could help others and, in the process of using Twitter, make a difference in our communities and across the world. Would you join me in this effort?
We have all seen how #FollowFriday works. You enjoy someone’s tweets and encourage those who follow you to also follow the person you are recommending. Those of us really interested in seeing who all is recommended can even research, collectively, by location, etc. who all was recommended. What if, instead of recommending other people to follow we recommended causes we believe in? Or recommended organizations to support and did so as strategically as we do those to follow. Surely our followers would rise to the occasion and suppot your cause, if they agree, just as they have in helping tweeters build their followers.
The birth of #PSATUESDAY (please note, if this is already being done please point me in the right direction. I have looked and can’t find anything like it)
Okay, here is how it should go down:
Phase 1, #PSATuesday – Every Tuesday consider those causes important to you, tweet it with the hashtag #PSATuesday (PSA refers to Public Service Announcements) and let the world, or at least your followers know. If there is a particular organization affiliated with it then post a link with your message. Surely there is a cause out there which is worthy of as much promotion as your favorite tweeter. It can be local, regional, national or even international. It just has to be a cause which benefits society.
Your tweet might look like this, “don’t forget to spay and neuter your pet. visit SpayOK.org for more info http://bit.ly/4D53sJ #PSATuesday” Easy enough?
Phase 2 is where the genius lies. Twitter is free, but how much would you pay for it? For me, at least a few hundred bucks a year with a student discount for anyone using it to benefit their education (#jb4520, I got your back). What if you took that money and donated it, on behalf of your favorite tweeter. You don’t have to donate it all at one time, maybe just a few bucks here and there throughout the year. But if you really value a person’s tweets/wisdom and they use their #PSATuesday tweet to support Spay Oklahoma would you be willing to make a small donation to show your appreciation?
So let’s make this work. Next Tuesday, April 7, 2009 is #PSATuesday. To sweeten the pot, I will personally donate up to $250 of my own money to an organization or organizations which those tweeters I follow support and will do so giving the tweeter full credit. Will it make a difference? It will to the groups which get my money. And, if a few million tweeters engage in this it will make a huge difference. Talk about ROI!
By the way, if this works, #peacetweet24 is next. I will hold off on sharing how this will work but when I shared it with a friend he told me I was kicked off the island. Not sure if that is good or bad.
(note – if this really takes off and lots of people visit this page I will donate all my google ad income to a worthy cause.)
[...] Last week about this same time I blogged about my creation of #PSATuesday and encouraged fellow tweeters “to consider those causes important to you, tweet it with the hashtag #PSATuesday.” For more on the story and options please read the post. [...]
I didn’t realize it was every Tuesday! Now I’m really excited about #PSATuesday. Great idea!
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#PRAdvice are you supporting #PSATuesday ? Would think this is perfect opportunity for you guys to promote message/org [link to post]
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checking out #PSATuesday between classes and an very impressed! If you don’t know what it is – http://bit.ly/GQVf and [link to post]
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RT: @billhandy: so many great choices on #PSATuesday, will be difficult to choose which organizations get my money [link to post]
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so many great choices on #PSATuesday, will be difficult to choose which organizations get my money [link to post]
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@billhandy I think PSATuesday is a great idea! Everyone should read this if they have not already. [link to post] #jb4520
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RT @kristen_okla & @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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Blue Star Mothers RT @billhandy: note to everyone who RT my #PSATuesday post [link to post] don’t forget to tell us what “you” support
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note to everyone who retweeted my #PSATuesday post [link to post] don’t forget to tell us what “you” support
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@billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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#PSATuesday I think @billhandy ‘s $250 should go to Mannford High School band for instruments that were just stolen. [link to post]
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@billhandy It is my pleasure to support concepts that will make a difference! Tweeps, check it out. –>[link to post]
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thanks for raising awareness of the powerful relationship social media could play in making a difference.
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@billhandy is giving away money? Well, he will give it 2 a worthy cause in ur name. I love it! Read more here -> [link to post]
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RT @mattgalloway RT @billhandy Today is #PSATuesday tell us what you support or what you would like us to support. [link to post]
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@shelisrael Thought you might be interested in @billhandy’s attempt to make the world better with Twitter [link to post] [correct link]
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RT @kristen_okla: RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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April 7 is #PSATuesday – Win my money for your favorite cause! [link to post] from: @billhandy
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RT @ Billhandy #PSATuesday, April 7 is #PSATuesday tweet your favorite cause/message! [link to post] #jb4520
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Help these kids! http://tinyurl.com/ct85c7 Tomorrow is #PSATuesday [link to post] They could get $250 from @billhandy with your vote
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RT @billhandy: Tomorrow is #PSATuesday [link to post] this is a really worthy cause! Check it out!
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I vote for homeless pets! RT @billhandy Quick reminder before you go home for the day. Tomorrow is #PSATuesday [link to post]
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RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post] RT & let’s make a difference
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April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message!
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RT @billhandy: Pls RT April 7: #PSATuesday – use twitter to support ur favorite cause/message! [link to post] let’s make a difference
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RT @billhandy Pls RT April 7: #PSATuesday – use twitter to support ur favorite cause/message! [link to post] let’s make a difference
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@projectokc have you seen this – April 7 is #PSATuesday tweet your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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@grocio I think we talked bout this – April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT @ Billhandy #PSATuesday, April 7 is #PSATuesday tweet your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT chris brogan @billhandy- April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post] Great idea!!
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RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday Support your favorite cause! see [link to post] for info. Please RT and make a difference
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RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday . Support your favorite cause! see [link to post] for info Please RT and make a difference
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Great concept Bill – I can’t wait to see it in action!
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RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday-use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post] RT and let’s make a difference
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RT @billhandy: April 7 is #PSATuesday – Use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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Excellent idea @billhandy: April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message![link to post]
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RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message![link to post]
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April 7 is #PSATuesday – What is your cause?! [link to post] from: @billhandy http://ff.im/-1XcBB
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RT April 7 is #PSATuesday Tweet your fave cause w/ yr own Public Service Announcement! [link to post] RT Make a difference @billhandy
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if you #followfriday why wouldn’t you #PSATuesday? April 7 is #PSATuesday tweet your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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@TopsAtWarChild see this? RT @billhandy- April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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April 7 is #PSATuesday – What is your cause?! [link to post] from: @billhandy
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April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT @chrisbrogan: RT @billhandy- April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday -use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post] RT and let’s make a difference
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RT @chrisbrogan @billhandy- April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT @chrisbrogan RT @billhandy- April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT @billhandy- April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT @billhandy: Please RT April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter 2 support your fav cause/msg! [link to post]
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Very cool! RT @billhandy: Please RT April 7 is #PSATuesday – use twitter to support your favorite cause/message! [link to post]
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RT @billhandy Please RT April 7 is #PSATuesday – tell us your favorite cause! [link to post] Please RT and let’s make a difference
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Very awesome, Bill — Always using your powers for good.
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RT @billhandy: Please RT April 7 is #PSATuesday – tell us your favorite cause! [link to post] Please RT and let’s make a difference.
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Retweeting @billhandy: April 7 is #PSATuesday – tell us your favorite cause! [link to post] Please RT and let’s make a difference
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RT @billhandy April 7 is #PSATuesday – tell us your favorite cause! [link to post]. Let’s make a difference. Please RT.
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Please RT April 7 is #PSATuesday – tell us your favorite cause! [link to post] Please RT and let’s make a difference
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RT @billhandy: April 7 is #PSATuesday . Support your favorite cause! see [link to post] for info Please RT and make a difference
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@billhandy This is awesome cause. I already have one nonprofit http://www.alleycat.org to save feral cats. Pls RT #PSATuesday [link to post]
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Folks, lets make a difference April 7 is #PSATuesday – Win @billhandy ‘s money for your favorite cause! [link to post] Please RT
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RT:@FvrythingPR: RT@billhandy Pls RT & lets make a difference April 7 is #PSATuesday – Win money 4 your favorite cause! [link to post]
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RT @billhandy: Please RT and lets make a difference April 7 is #PSATuesday – Win my money for your favorite cause! [link to post]
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RT @billhandy Pls RT & lets make a difference April 7 is #PSATuesday – Win money for your favorite cause! [link to post]
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Please RT and lets make a difference April 7 is #PSATuesday – Win my money for your favorite cause! [link to post]
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April 7 is #PSATuesday – Win my money for your favorite cause! [link to post] Please RT and let’s make a difference
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