November 29, 2007

Tech savvy experts are calling Charlottesville one of the bloggingest communities out there. Our area is home to more non profits per capita than any other city.

"Blogs are the cheapest, fastest, easiest way for non profits to reach their audience. They create community and awareness and open up conversation," said Marijean Jaggers of Standing Partnership, a public relations firm that focuses on diverse communications strategies.

Jaggers says local non profits can save on time and money if they forgo sending out traditional newsletters or mass e-mails and start updating their support base through an online journal. Blogging also ups non profits' google juice, a catchy way to explain that having a blog increases web presence.

Now, local non profits are hopping on the blogging bandwagon to maximize their support base.

Leslie Middleton fell into the blogosphere. She hosts a weekly radio show on WTJU. Through short narratives she takes listeners across the Rivanna River, but she soon found out not everyone could tune in.

"The most immediate response is for friends who say i missed your show. I say: Just Google me," said Middleton.

She now houses her writing on her new blog: rivannarambler.blogspot.com.

"Boom it's really easy for them after the fact to get to me and read what I have written," added Middleton.

The Center for Nonprofit Excellence helps local organizations market themselves. It holds various workshops and seminars on strategic communications from blogging to podcasting.

For more information on any of the organizations mentioned in this story click on the links below.