Mar
09

Realities of the Digital Age

by kristin

The rate of change is so incredible. Amazing things are invented while we slumber and we awake to brand new trends. I listen to the people who study this stuff to get a more balanced picture of the digital reality today. An recent article from the NonProfit Quarterly cited the Pew Internet Project’s work and a presentation by Lee Rainie, the director. Rainie outlines “10 Fresh Realities of the Digital Age.” In our work with clients, this reality informs and shapes our strategies. It should inform yours too.

Five Dimensions of the Digital Revolution

  1. 2/3 of homes have broadband connections, 83% of homes have internet connections
  2. Users of the internet: More than half of babyboomers (50-64), 71% of 30-49 year-olds, 85% of 18-29 year-olds, 35% of 65 and older.
  3. 327.6 million mobile subscribers in US (more than the 315.5 million population)
  4. 2/3 or 63% of adults are mobile internet connectors
  5. More than 1/3 or 35% own smart phones.

The new Digital Realities that come from this revolution mean that:

  • people are connected or networked and they are using networked information
  • large shifts in the access and sharing of information means that there is more room for nonprofits and activists. Individuals and small groups can network to create movements
  • “There is no high-tech secret sauce for effective message making.”
  • There are many new ways to get messages in addition to the traditional methods.
  • There are different stages in engaging your communities (The Engagement Pyramid) moving from observing, following, endorsing, contributing, owning and leading.
  • “Influence is migrating from organizations to networks and new ‘experts.” Trust and referral are centered in peer relationships not organizational self promotion.
  • The way we get news and information has changed to three primary styles: “continuous partial attention to media streams,” “immersion in deep dives,” and “info snacking in free moments.”
  • Because of the shift away from general trust of organizations, there is a need for transparency to build trust.

There are a lot of changes, some of them helpful, some of them revolutionary. Either way, join in the shift to engage the new digital realities for your organization.

 

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Feb
29

Helping Nonprofit Leaders with Donor Relations

by kristin

Today, we will host a lunch and learn event for our nonprofit leaders here at Seraphim. Better than the yummy lunch, will be the conversation with George Broostin, (a seasoned development professional from Guild Inc. in St. Paul, MN), Josh Becerra (a social media consultant), Kevin Dragseth and myself (Kristin Wiersma).

We realize that last year in Minnesota, 87% of charitable donations to nonprofits came from individual donors. We know from our 24 years of work in development communications that generous individual donors are integral to a healthy nonprofit. So, we gathered some smart folks and decided to share some ideas to build local nonprofits. We have  full house coming and looking forward to great conversation.

The agenda will help nonprofit leaders:

  • Strengthen and develop in-person donor relationships
  • Move from an introduction to an “ask”
  • To networking to build donor/support base
  • Learn complementary online strategies to support those relationships
  • Build a plan capitalizing on “hyper local” and donor engagement trends
  • Use the mission story for impact- trans-media storytelling

Always fun to help others and share what we and our friends know to advance the nonprofit world.

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Dec
01

Teaching for the BBB

by kristin

The Better Business Bureau asked us to teach a class on web development for small businesses. We are honored by the request and hope the event (which is today) is a helpful one for member businesses of the BBB. We will be demonstrating how to find a host, domain name and load simple sites, social media, e-commerce, widgets and the like. All the technical aspects will be covered of course. However, if you know us at all, we will be sharing content strategy that will help these hard working businesses build a website with the right stuff to make them shine – online. We know that anyone can have a website. It is the strategies that will set it apart. Thanks BBB, for the opportunity to share and help build strong business.

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Oct
31

A madhouse of creativity and energy.

by kristin

I recently read a promotion for a theater production that describes the show as “madhouse of creativity and energy.” We’ve been living that very description around here this summer and fall. The energy and creativity that is free flowing around our offices and studio is exhilarating and exciting. I’m working to create some cool new tools for a  consulting clients so they can be successful and sustain the work. I’ve also been busy speaking at events. Kevin is filming to our digital SLR for a cinematic look for video and trying some cool post production tricks. We have been consulting with the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, Midway Training Services, Heroic Productions among others. We’ve been creating new video media for St. Olaf College, Camp Widjiwagan, Guild Incorporated, Innovize, Nexstar, a curriculum for Tabgha, a fund development resource for Voyegeur Lutheran Ministries and more.

The madhouse part is all fun! Creativity and energy are abundant and we would love to share some with you. Come by if you need some, we might have some to spare.

 

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Sep
27

Finalist for the BBB 2011 Integrity Award

by kristin

We are thrilled to be chosen as a finalist (with three other businesses) for the 2011 BBB Integrity Awards. The winner will be chosen at the BBB Awards event held October 24th at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN.

“The BBB presents the Integrity Awards each year to companies who exemplify ethical behavior and display integrity in all aspects of their operations, toward their employees, vendors, customers, and within their community.”

We are honored to be nominated and chosen as a finalist. All of us at Seraphim Communications chose to live and work in accordance with our values, ethics and faithfully serve our clients. Thank you for more than 23 years of business, support and collegiality that has made this company thriving and innovative.

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Jun
22

Making an impact with animation

by kevin

Watch any movie, in the theater or on DVD, and you’ll see some really lovely, intricate and fun animations that serve a very simple purpose: to introduce you to the brand name of the production company, film studio, distributor, etc. If it’s a film with a lot of collaborators, you might see four or five (or more) of these micro-ads in a row: A Whatzit Production…in association with…Such-And-Such Pictures…

We updated our logo three years ago, but we hadn’t gotten around to updating our little logo animation. I finally finished it, and did sound design to create a multisensory experience. Enjoy!

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Jun
20

Making order of social media

by kristin

Ever get overwhelmed by all the new things to learn on the web? So much to read, figure out and conquer.

We offer a sustainable learning with a coach. Our team, led by social media specialist Kristina Smith, listens to our clients, and creates a social media plan to fit client goals and preferences.  Clients are then trained to use appropriate social media tools and a coach helps them work  their customized individual plan to hone their skills.

What a fun way to face the new technologies– with us!

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Jun
20

Communications Audit

by kristin

I just completed two communication audits for a couple local non-profits in the last week. While some communications professionals look at the graphic look, others critique the writing, still others note the photography, video or social media usage.  We choose to look at the whole, from the perspective of the audience the client is trying to reach, and the goals they are trying to meet. We measure strategy, implementation, support and integration (looking at audiences, messages, vehicles, information pipelines, staff and technology)

It is such an honor to work with these organizations. They trust us with their message and it is a privilege to help them navigate the swift and changing waters of current communications.  Both of the clients I met with this week were thankful for the deep look at their communication- bringing things in to focus. They are moving into a strategic communications planning process that will help them align the messages, tools and people to support the vision of the organization. They are on their way! I’m thankful that we can help.

1175 Winston Street, St. Paul, MN 55108 | www.seracomm.com | 651.645.9173

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Apr
07

Time lapse illuminates a painter’s process

by kevin

We are just finishing an interesting project for Guild Incorporated, a non-profit agency that serves individuals with mental health challenges. To honor their generous donors, Guild Incorporated commissioned internationally renown artist Jason Najarak to create a mural. Over the course of six months, Najarak created a rich, highly layered, vibrant work of art. When the mural was completed, carpenter Neil Peterson created a beautiful wall to display it and the names of donors. Guild Incorporated president Grace Tangjerd Schmitt provides a warm welcome on camera and then lets viewers enjoy watching the “Ladder of Hope” come into being.

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Apr
04

Stop-motion animation delivers fun

by kevin

For an educational series we created several years ago, we opted to throw in a fun (if quite time-consuming) element: old-fashioned stop-motion animation. One frame at a time, micro-movements per frame, snap a still photo with two different digital cameras, rinse, repeat. It took three days, but what great fun!

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