This time of year often prompts people to look inward. We make resolutions and take stock of our lives. For bloggers, many of whom are already writing regular posts about their lives and thoughts, this time of year can be overwhelming. At some point you just get sick of thinking about yourself.
I mean, in theory.
If you’ve arrived at that point, I suggest taking an alternate route. Rather than continuing to blog about your hopes for the new year, your feelings about the holidays or your crazy Aunt Maude who makes everyone drink her homemade prune juice, try using your blog to draw attention to something else. In other words, use your powers for good. Here are some quick tips on blogging for charity:
Pick a cause, any cause
What do you love? You’ll be more enthusiastic if you pick a cause you’re interested in. For example, if you love gardening, you might look for local community gardens that need volunteers to help beautify your neighborhood. If you’re into gaming, find out whether your local game stores are running toy drives you can promote.
Add the info
Of course you’ll want to link to the organization’s website, but you should also add their contact information directly into your post. (Do take care to obfuscate the email address a little to defeat spammers. You might want to write it out, as in “fakeemail at domain dot com.”) Also remember that people are kind of lazy, especially during this exhausting season, so any additional information you can provide will help. For example, is there a hard-to-find driveway into the org’s parking lot? Talk about how to find it. Are they only open on weeknights from 6 – 9? Say that. And so on.
Contact the charity
It’s not egotistical to let your org of choice know that you’re rooting for them. If the organization knows about your post, they might want to link to it on their website or use it some other way. They may also want you to add more information, such as plugs for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Set up a fund
A simple Paypal link (or a similar site if you’re anti-Paypal) on your main page can be a big help. After people read your post they should be excited to help the charity; don’t give them time to get complacent again. Take advantage of their enthusiasm by collecting funds for the org – and don’t forget to actually pass the funds along when you’re done.
I took a different approach. My uncle is raising money, and I figured I'd help him by releasing a premium theme for $20. All proceeds are going to the charity, and you get a feature rich theme to boot!
In theory.
However, I tried this for the Cancer Society. Oodles of people visited and read my post about blogging for a good cause. Not one of them took me up on my offer. NOT ONE.
So the Garden has been listed for sale for awhile now. I think I have a buyer. If so, I will be happy to retire from blogging.
The experience soured me on blogging and depressed me to the point that I have not posted since. The site has just been sitting there.
So . . . as you said . . . "in theory." But don't hold your breath.
I agree with the above commenter. It's hard to draw people into action. It needs to benefit them greatly before they do anything, which, although most of us are the same, is kind of sad.