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MobileActive Strategy Guide #2: Using Mobile Phones in Advocacy Campaigns

Author

Michael Stein

Publication Date

2007

Summary

This web-based guide on issue-centred advocacy, currently (2008) one of three at the MobileActive website, aggregates strategies, case studies, lessons learned, and a how-to section for advocacy organisations considering using mobile phones to advance their causes. It is intended to encourage the adoption of mobile phones by non-profits to build their constituent lists, influence political causes, and raise money.

The guide suggests that, because speed is a critical aspect of advocacy campaigns, mobile phones are useful to rapidly disseminate messages to a network of supporters with specific calls to action. It points out that mobile phones are more widespread in the developing world than internet technology, more frequently used by young people (particularly text messaging features), and with SMS (Short Message Service) technology, supports may sign petitions or take phone-based action immediately. As mobile banking becomes more widespread, instant fund-raising is a growing possibility. Mobile phone advocacy allows very focused recruiting of supporters by using specific venues, such as concerts or rallies where other forms of communication like fliers and on-stage announcements can be used in a multiplier strategy. The guide provides six steps to a successful mobile advocacy campaign and details on costs an organisation can expect to incur.

The guide's host website, MobileActive, is a global community of strategists, activists, and technicians who are using mobile phones in their social change work. This site includes blogs as conversation from the "MobileActive" community of site users, data, including statistics on mobile usage, a directory of mobile technology projects and practitioners, and strategy resources to leverage mobile technology for campaigns.



Number of Pages

15

Languages

English, Arabic

Contact

Michael Stein
Berkeley CA
United States
Tel: 510 868 1680

Katrin Verclas
Coordinator
MobileActive

18 W. 27th Street, 2nd floor

New York NY
10001
United States
Tel: 413 687 9877

Source

HUB website accessed on March 10 2008.


Placed on the Communication Initiative site March 10 2008
Last Updated September 02 2008

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