Business

Wednesday Buzz: Getting Ready for 2018

Don’t let a harried year-end stop you from starting off the new year on the right foot. Also: new etiquette rules for extra-long tweets.

The end of the year is a busy time for associations. You may be in the midst of a fundraising flurry while also strategically planning for the upcoming new year. During this hectic time, it’s easy to let the little things fall by the wayside, but those little things may help to set up your association for success once the calendar flips over.

In a recent Abila blog post, writer Shara Kilarski shares a few organizational moves to make now so you can be up and running after the holidays.

Start with hiring extra professional help now if you need it. You don’t have to put small projects on the back burner just because 2018 planning looms large. Reach out to staffing firms to get seasonal help to finish out the year strongly.

In addition, while your attention may be on the immediate needs of your association, don’t forget to take the time to improve your career skills. “Whether you’re onboarding a new team member, needing a refresher, or are looking to dive deeper into specific functionality, there’s always something new to learn,” writes Kilarski. “By planning now and earmarking time and budget, you can make sure to support professional development and education throughout the year.”

280

Today’s shiny new social media toy is Twitter’s rollout of 280-character tweets to all accounts. Here are a few fun ones.

While we’re all having a good time experimenting with our new double-long tweets, Saeed Ahmed, a senior editor at CNN, shares a few 280 etiquette tips.

Now that tweets are longer, Ahmed says to cut back on using all-caps. It’s too hard on the eyes. Also, be mindful about the length of your Twitter threads before people get turned off by essay-size writing. And most importantly, “don’t say in 280 what could have been said in 140.”

Other Links of Note

In today’s polarized political world, online harassment targeting nonprofits is common. Beth’s Blog shares a few simple ways to navigate unwanted abuse.

How innovative can your association be? According to Smooth the Path, it all comes down to the CEO.

Has your group avoided Snapchat because it’s too confusing? If yes, you’re not the only one. After a poor earnings report, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel says he plans to redesign the app to make it easier to use.

(SARINYAPINNGAM/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Raegan Johnson

By Raegan Johnson

Raegan Johnson is a contributor to Associations Now. MORE

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