The Internet has become a mecca for those who want to share information about causes that are important to them. Whether you support animal welfare or want to raise money for cancer research, you can reach millions of people without having to trek around going door-to-door with flyers.
Social Media
Social media is one of the top ways that activists can further their causes. You may start by posting information on a personal blog or website, then sharing the link and information about the campaign on a personal or company social media page. That link can then go to all followers of the page, who can share it to their own followers and continue to get the word out to more people. Since social media is available from anywhere, it is an easy way to connect with the highest volumes in the shortest period of time.
Benefits for Campaigns of All Sizes
With the prevalence of crowdfunding websites and other options, it is also easier to raise funds for even small campaigns without having to pay high collection fees. Individuals can set up their own crowdfunding pages to allow friends and family to donate to support their participation in a walk or run, or to simply donate directly to a cause. This online resource also provides you with a link to share with others, giving them direct access to donate. Most of the websites also include information about fundraising goals and progress, which can encourage higher donations.
Online News Coverage
Another positive feature of online activism is the ability to learn about causes through online news sources. Unlike printed newspapers and magazines, which have to filter through stories to choose the most prevalent options for the day, week, or month of publication, online news sources can produce and share content at all times. This means that if your campaign goes viral or has a special meaning to members of a community, you can generate more awareness if it receives coverage in the media. You can also share this news piece as a way to educate about the cause.
Most Valuable Tools
According to a study performed at University of Washington, digital activism is at an all-time high. With so many avenues in which you can share your cause, it is certainly worthwhile to utilize all of them to reach the highest number of followers. The study showed that in order to be effective in sharing information about a specific cause or issue, users should employ a higher number of social media options. There wasn’t a link to a specific social media site that offered higher volumes, but using one or two alone isn’t as effective.
Mobile Access
Now that so many people around the globe have mobile access to the internet, it is even easier to reach thousands or even millions with your campaign. Business Insider reports that 1 in 5 people in the world have a smartphone, and that number continues to rise. With instant access to social media and other online resources, mobile Internet has transformed digital activism. Newer models are also faster and easier to use. What you need to know about iPhone 6 and other newer smartphones is that they give you the ability to share content and read up on issues from anywhere at any time. Using the 16 megapixel camera found on the LTE capable iPhone 6, it is easier than ever to upload and share high quality photos across different social media and news outlets.
Save Time
Another key benefit of digital activism is the amount of time it can save. In years past, those who wanted to promote awareness would have to send out printed media or invest in expensive marketing techniques to promote their causes. Now, just about anyone can help increase awareness about a problem in society, and rely on friends, family, and even strangers to help share the content to others. You can easily share news articles instantly or keep a blog that shares up to date information about the latest progress made toward the cause.
Digital activism is a great tool that can allow you to further your cause, whatever it may be. Using the Internet as a resource for this task makes it much easier to raise money and awareness about issues quickly and efficiently.