Think Tank Toolkit » Networking

Measuring the Success of your Social Network

Whitney.Garrison — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:37:54 +0000

Atlas recently launched a more dynamic web2.0 version of its toolkit directory, The Freedom Ne twork. As Atlas experiments with this format with the hope of providing its constituents the best information and networking opportunities available, the Atlas team continually evaluate the effectiveness of this social networking experiment. And as always, let us know what you think or how to improve!

Katya’s NonProfit Marketing Blog has a guest blogpost from Bob Cramer of ThePort Network on how to measure the success of the social networks you establish on your institutional websites, blogs, as well as on Facebook. Cramer advocates establishing qualitative measures in addition to quantitative measures. Read his post for specific examples. He concludes:

Analytics tools are available to help you track and analyze many important quantitative trends. Such indicators assign hard numbers to validate community success, which are important for justifying budgetary expenditures.

Social networking ROI (Return on Investment) measures are still evolving, but as you can see there are methods that you can use now to determine your social community’s progress and success.

Interested in Improving your Online Presence? Check out We are Media

cindy.cerquitella — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:12:32 +0000

Many organizations, including Atlas, have embraced the use of wikis as a way to encourage discussion, and gather information on particular topics. I just recently learned of a wiki that could be very useful for organizations looking to become more involved with online marketing and social networking. We are Media is a wiki set up specifically for this purpose, and targeted at non-profit organizations.

This site offers training, advice and ideas tailored specifically for the needs of a nonprofit organization. There are instructional materials on blogging, podcasting, using flickr and more.

I encourage you to check it out, and if you have knowledge to add, participate!

h/t mashable.

Hugh Jackman to Donate $72,000 to Charity via Twitter

cindy.cerquitella — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:41:20 +0000

We’ve extolled the virtues of social networking, and the possibilities for greater exposure through sites like facebook and twitter before… we may even sound like a broken record, but the fact is, new opportunities are always arising.

Take this for example, Hugh Jackman (of X-men fame), has pledged to donate 100,000 Australian dollars to a charity that sends him the best pitch via twitter. 140 character to tell a world-famous star why free markets are worth investing in, are you up to the challenge?

What better cause is their to give to than one that works to bring about global prosperity, self responsible and sustaining individuals and a free society?

Many groups have already gotten a head start, Hugh has been “retweeting” their pitches- So what will you’re pitch be?

Recent Listings on the Free Market Classifieds

cindy.cerquitella — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:32:53 +0000

Investigative Reporter, Buckeye Institute Ohio
Film Production Internships, Moving Picture Institute
Senior Director of Academic Programs, Institute for Humane Studies
Hernando De Soto Fellowship, Property Rights Alliance

You can get more information about these and other opportunities from the Free market movement on the Atlas Free Marker Classifieds. Be sure to add your job openings, award opportunities and proposal requests!

Heartland Institute’s Policy Bot

cindy.cerquitella — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:27:14 +0000

PolicyBot is the Internet’s most extensive clearing-house for the work of free-market think tanks, with more than 11,500 studies and commentaries from over 350 think tanks and advocacy groups. PolicyBot’s database allows you to navigate through the topic list or search by specify keywords, author or publisher.

Suit Up! -Tips for Attending Conferences

Colleen.Dyble — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:42:47 +0000

Fundraising conferences can be a treasure trove of information and contacts, but if you’re not prepared, you might find yourself missing the most golden of the nuggets. These articles on networking, Part I and Part II, provide useful tips for making the most of your conference experience.

Working Effectively with State Lawmakers

Colleen.Dyble — Mon, 19 Apr 2004 14:22:43 +0000

In this article, Bob Williams, president of the Washington state-based Evergreen Freedom Foundation, suggests that the best way that think tanks can impact policy-making is by establishing trustworthy relationships with state policy-makers. This article was originally published in the Spring 2004 edition of SPN News.

Developing Strategic Coalitions: Lessons from Milwaukee’s School Choice Coalition

Colleen.Dyble — Mon, 19 Jun 2000 14:19:18 +0000

Originally published in the Heritage Foundation’s Insider, in this article Susan Mitchell of American Education Reform Foundation explains how to build coalitions to accomplish your goals.