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Getting Started with Social Media: A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations and Government Agencies: Home

Guide to resources and information about making a case for social media and developing a plan for which tools to use.

Recent Social Media Tools and Resources

Tools and resources from Laura's Social Media feed on Delicious.

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Introduction

According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 77% of all American adults (18+) and 93% of teens (12-17) use the Internet. Of the adult users:

  • 83% look for information on a hobby or interest
  • 78% get news
  • 67% visit a local, state, or federal government web site
  • 66% buy a product
  • 61% use an online social networking site like MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn.com
  • 24% use Twitter or another status update service
  • 22% make a donation to a charity online
  • 13% tweet on Twitter

These numbers continue to increase. Social media isn't a trend. It's now the way that people share information and stay connected.

This LibGuide was developed in conjunction with Laura L. Barnes' "Getting Started With Social Media" presentation at the 2011 Illinois Leadership Conference. Presentation slides are available in IDEALS at http://hdl.handle.net/2142/25411. She also gave this presentation as part of NEWMOA's webinar, "How P2 Assistance Providers Can Effectively Use Social Media."