The word “slacktivism” has entered the mainstream news recently. It’s a term that’s been applied to folks who participate in acts of support for a cause or organization that require minimal effort – often online. Changing a profile picture on Facebook or affixing a magnetic ribbon to your car might be acts of slacktivism.
I find the slacktivist label needlessly demeaning. Paying lip service to a higher purpose is not a bad thing, and it seems to me that people who participate in these efforts mean well. With some education and encouragement they might move from well-meaning activities to meaningful action.
For non-profits and coalitions, think of slacktivists as people who are already predisposed to support your work:
• Start where they are. What are they likely to know about you or your cause? What are the common misconceptions?
• Discover connecting interests. What made them care enough to take even modest action online? What might inspire them to higher levels of engagement?
• Speak from the heart. What made you care about your cause? What inspires you to keep going when progress is difficult?
For individuals, if you cared enough about an online plea to respond, consider other ways you could help – without expending that much more effort. Can you provide referrals? Can you make a brief testimony video? Can you learn the policy priorities of an organization that works on that cause? And of course, can you write a check (or make a PayPal transfer)?
I believe Kansas is full of people who care and who can be inspired to take meaningful action. If you agree with me, please share this blog link with all your Facebook friends.
Picture courtesy of Randy
Great blog, I also think that when you ask slactivists to be more engaged, it plays to their ego and lets them feel needed. Atleast that's what happens to me.
ReplyDeleteThis discussion reminds me of the article Malcolm Gladwell wrote recently, "Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted." http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell Social media can be fairly effective at connecting people to things or issues they care about. I think social media is even more effective when it connects people to *people* they care about and then those folks get together and start working on the change they want to see.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts about this topic. However, small acts can be powerful I just facilitated a retreat where participants (many busy nonprofit leaders/staff) agreed to acts of "slacktivism" by promoting each other's organizations. They felt that their individual events and attractions by retweeting, reposting, cross-promoting each other's networks of support were stronger when they worked together towards a common purpose of community. This was one thing they could do for each other.
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