Social media to rescue Jail4Bail campaign?

With about two weeks left in the campaign, the funds were about half way to target. And that is when social media, represented by Rafiq Phillips , stepped in.

Phillips is what can best be explained as “super-connected”. He has even featured as the face of Web 2.0 on Carte Blanche. And he understands new media, specifically its viral opportunities. Phillips believed that if the right social media tools were mobilised, more funds could be raised and the campaign could reach the global market. He seems to be right.

Started small

What started as a couple of twitter messages to the 700-odd people that follow Phillips has culminated in Jail4Bail receiving prominent exposure. Note that some of the social media campaigns (such as the Zoopy videos) were live some time before Phillips began his promotional activity, which simply augmented the attention to those sites:

• Google: 6370 entries for search term “jail4Bail”
  
• Social media aggregator Afrigator: Dedicated page and distribution of Jail4Bail badge
  
• Social media sharing sites Zoopy/YouTube: videos relevant to the campaign, including an message from Hellen Zille, hosted on Zoopy and YouTube
  
• Facebook: a Facebook profile for Pieterse
  
• Microblogging service Twitter: Twitter started the main social media campaign around Jail4Bail, and continues the discussion
  
• Blogs: Many individuals have bogged about the campaign. You can find a comprehensive list on the Afrigator page .
  
• Social bookmarking services Muti/Digg
  
• Social media aggregator Friendfeed: A room was set up on Friendfeed to follow the discussion around the champaign
  
• Website: www.jail4bail.co.za was registered and set up by Wogan May after the launch of the social media campaign
  
• T-shirt competition: Vincent Hofmann of Moral Fibre is having t-shirts printed that will be auctioned off to raise funds for Jail4Bail

Not all is good news, though. You might be tempted to think that because this is in aid of charity, that the new media environment is kinder and more receptive than it would be in other circumstances. But that is not necessarily true. Criticism and slashback are also evident. For instance, Adi, who is an autistic adult blogged her criticism of the campaign:

“I do not want this one-sided, negative view of autism that is reflected in the actions of the organisation to speak for me and other autistics, of all ages - at all. And if the AWC's message is not sympathetic towards the autistic, then what is it?”

True nature of the social media beast

This exercise shows the true nature of the social media beast:

• if there is something worthwhile talking about, the local social media network can come together and independently still work as a team;
  
• you cannot block yourself off from negative criticism, but you can respond to it pro actively;
  
• there are no geographical boundaries to social media campaigns;
  
• a successful social media discussion spreads fast, and on multitude platforms simultaneously
  
• you have to let go of the message, and trust others with it;
  
• getting your audience impassioned is a good tactic to ensure successful reaction;
  
• be transparent when voicing your goals for the campaign

Of course, the best media coverage (new or old) is worth nothing if it doesn't get results. The Jail4bail campaign will finish at the end of August 2008, and it will be interesting to see what percentage of funds raised will be generated in these last two weeks of heavy social media involvement. Already we know that 500 Euros were sent in from Belgium, local companies have pledged additional funds and that the “SMS for R10” has been used by the online community.

Usually we hear about social media success stories/case studies well after they are over, and we tend to only talk about the successful ones. Now, the campaign is out in the open, there is nowhere to hide, and it will be interesting to see whether this will also be a case study for the books.

To support the campaign, you can SMS “VUKA” to 38010 at a cost of R10 (and stand a chance to win a Vuka). Visit the official website at www.autismwesterncape.org.za for more information, and updates on money raised.