I received this “ask” today from Liza Peiffer on Behalf of Habitat for Humanity. She wrote that the United Nations has chosen the first Monday in October to be World Habitat Day. It’s a day to stand up and let it be known that affordable, adequate housing should be a priority everywhere.
Liza has asked if we (You and I) would help her spread the word for this important cause?
I took at look at their social media release and was impressed with how they’re handling their online PR, while activating their social media evangelists.
The social media news release does several things for Habitat for Humanity:
- It’s a quick resource for facts on World Habitat Day
- Aggregates several important Habitat for Humanity sites, including this year’s theme: “Planning Our Urban Future”
- Engages you on what YOU can do for World Habitat Day as an advocate through a photo petition on Flickr.com; urges you to contact your congressman; educates you with the World Habitat Day handbook PDF; invites you to take a virtual tour of the Capotillo settlement in the Dominican Republic; and offers an online donation form.
Offers a host of photos and videos that are easy to use and embed- Provides banners and logos for your site and blog
- Features links to all of their social media channels
Then it occurred to me:
Why are we all so bashful about asking for help? Especially for important causes like this one? Even at a time when online social media provides us the ultimate tool to engage, empower and spread the good word about our cause?
I’m glad Liza asked. I benefited from her request. Not only did I learn about World Habitat Day. I was exposed to a really powerful example of how smart communicators are making their messages and missions heard.
She continued: “If you are able to post about this on your blog it would really help spread the message and could help improve many lives. Please let me know if you have any questions and if you are able to help. Thank you so much.”
I think I heard about a carpenter who once said, “Ask, and you shall receive.”
Please give Liza and World Habitat Day a hand. Share her message with your followers.
What Liza didn’t know in her request is that we created the website for Valley of the Sun Habitat for Humanity. We know firsthand just how valuable their organization is to a community.
